Archive: Business & Technology

On October 9th, the Ithaca Public Education Initiative (IPEI) hosted the Tompkins County Chamber of Commerce monthly Business After Hours event at the Cornell Plantations Nevin Welcome Center. As attendees gathered on the lawn adjacent to Plantations gardens to socialize with a glass of wine or hot cider, and some delicious food provided by the Ithaca City School District (ICSD) Food Services, they had the opportunity to learn about Kids Discover the Trail! (KDT!), a collaboration between the IPEI, the Discovery Trail, and the ICSD.

KDT! began in 2005 as a way for elementary age students to learn and explore their surrounding community while getting to know their peers from around the school district. Nine years later, KDT! is thriving with 2,900 ICSD elementary school students discovering the trail each year.

Chamber members heard from Chamber of Commerce President Jean McPheeters who introduced Terry Byrnes, President of the IPEI Board. Byrnes gave a brief history of KDT!, and thanked the eight sites of the Discovery Trail for their participation and commitment to enhancing the education of ICSD students.

Toward the end of the gathering, IPEI Vice President Jennifer Engel, Discovery Trail Coordinator Nancy Grossman and Billy Kepner of the Plantations announced the winners of the door prizes provided by the eight Discovery Trail organizations. Attendees also received KDT! flashlight keychains for their support.  Special thanks also to ICSD, Corks and More, Corner Store Catering and Business is Blooming.

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