Ithaca Public Education Initiative (IPEI) is excited to announce funding for Computational
Thinking and Digital Literacy in the Libraries, a Connecting Classrooms Grant supporting the
Ithaca City School District’s (ICSD) elementary schools and the ICSD Technology team. The goal
of this grant is to allow ICSD teachers and media specialists time and equipment to create new
learning experiences for every elementary student in the district focused on computational
thinking and digital literacy.
Incorporating one-to-one technology is not the end but the beginning of a new methodology of
thinking and learning. This grant funds the the ICSD librarians in a leadership role, in
conjunction with the library as a hub of general information: creating space for student
self-directed learning utilizing maker space and coding opportunities.
These spaces allow all students to engage with problem solving and use technology in hands-on
activities during the school day.
Although information technology is woven into almost every aspect of learning and life,
not every learner and educator has equitable access to up-to-date, appropriate
technology and connectivity. An effective school library bridges digital and
socioeconomic divides to affect information technology access and skill. -The American
Association of School Libraries (Emphasis IPEI)
This Connecting Classrooms Grant continues the enhancement of ICSD’s effective school
libraries with funding from IPEI, by providing time and equipment for teachers and specialists to
collaborate, create and roll out lessons for all elementary students in conjunction with current
school practices and curriculum. The media specialists and teachers, with the support of ICSD’s
technology staff will determine the best tools for engaging ICSD students and create lessons
which will be shared throughout the elementary schools. (Images of possible classroom and
library equipment below)
“The lessons and materials generated by these teams will be shared throughout the district to
inspire enhanced and engaging computational thinking and digital literacy experiences across
the ICSD.” -Dan Breiman, Belle Sherman Elementary principal
“IPEI’s mission supports innovation within ICSD schools and classrooms and we are proud to see
our teaching and media staff come together to ensure students in every ICSD school have
access to utilize and learn with cutting-edge technology. These skills are the skills of the next
generation workforce and should not be restricted to after school clubs or certain schools,” says
Steve Manley, Executive Director of IPEI.
“IPEI’s Collecting Classrooms Grants were designed to fund large-scale projects with
transformative potential for classrooms, schools and districts and a focus on cross-curricular
teacher collaboration in the creation of something new and engaging for our students.” -Joyce
Putnam, former Boynton science teacher, IPEI Board Member and Grants Committee chair
IPEI is a 501(c)3 non-profit created in 1996 with the defined mission of supporting ICSD schools
through community connections, making grants available to teachers and ICSD staff in support
of innovative education and sharing the stories of our impressive students and staff. Since its
creation, IPEI has funded hundreds of projects and programs totaling more than $1.5 million
dollars to benefit the students of the ICSD. Information about IPEI’s historical grants can we
found at www.IPEI.org/grants and gifts are encouraged to support ongoing innovation!
More information about this grant can be obtained from:
Steven Manley, IPEI Executive Director,
Dan Breiman, Belle Sherman Elementary School principal
Zach Lind, ICSD Chief Technology Officer