Support All the ICE Programs by Buying Tickets for 2 Experiential Auction Items 

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Did you know that programs like our internationally recognized music program are fully funded by your donations? In fact, we were informed that only 10% of public schools have one band - we have more than 4 and students performed in over 22 concert opportunities this year alone in venues like Symphony Space and Rockwood Music Hall! 

Please consider buying into one or both of these great events to help our children sing, build, write, see and experience more wonderful things to come. 

            1.         Send 13 lucky lucky ICE kids to the Yankees vs. Tampa Bay game on June 16th with Mark and Wali! Each ticket costs $100 and will be a thrilling experience for your budding athletes. 
 
            2.         Want a chance to share your ideas and ask questions of Pete and Mark in a relaxed and enjoyable setting away from ICE? Buy tickets to a Cocktail Party with Pete & Mark hosted by Imebet and Lisa on June 16th. Not only will you enjoy a sense of camaraderie, but all the children’s educational programs will benefit financially. Tickets are $100
 

Click to PURCHASE TICKETS

On the payment page scroll down to the ONE TIME CONTRIBUTION section (include your name & your student's name; in addition to student's class add YANKEES GAME or COCKTAIL PARTY on the respective lines then click the DONATE button

Young Playwrights Summer Program

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This has just come in, very last minute, but deadline is not until June 20 and it's FREE!

Apply to study playwriting this summer in TDF's Young Playwrights Summer Program. 
In working with award-winning playwright Crystal Skillman, we will be exploring political and personal beliefs in playwriting. The program will last two weeks for three hours a day, and it will also feature guest artists and a trip to a new play. Students will work individually and in teams, with a final presentation on the last day of the intensive. 

Who is eligible: HS students grade 9-12 who are interested in learning the craft of playwriting and creating their own plays. Students must have well developed writing skills, and an interest in playwriting along with a recommendation from a teaching artist or English teacher. Team spirit, commitment and enthusiasm are important qualities for this program. 

What is the Young Playwrights Summer Program: 

  • Playwriting workshops five days a week, for two weeks, with independent and group writing done on your own
  • Attend a Broadway show—for study & inspiration 
  • Small group seminars with professional playwrights and artists about creative process and craft 
  • Write (and rewrite) a ten-minute original play 
  • Professional actors read student plays 
  • Final work given a staged reading by professional actors 
  • Snacks and Metro Cards are provided 


When is the Young Playwrights Summer Program: 

  • June 25-29, July 2,3,5,6 
  • 1-4 pm M-F (except the 4th of July), 1-7pm July 6 
  • Final presentation 5-7pm on July 6 


Where: TDF offices: 520 8th Avenue Suite 801 NY, NY 10018

Final performances presented at an off-Broadway theater TBD

How do I apply: Admission to the TDF Summer Playwriting Intensive is by application and teacher recommendation. 


PICK UP AN APPLIC ATION IN THE OFFICE AT ICE - SEE EILEEN OR LISA
or
EMAIL LISA FOR A PDF copy.

Natalie Mack has offered to help. See her if you are applying.

 

Should Schools be Closed or Turned into Charter Schools if Students Opt Out???

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The State Education department has proposed new super punitive regulations to address schools who do not meet the federal 95% testing participation threshold. The regulations are flawed in a number of ways, but one of the most egregious is that they assign more penalties to Title 1 (high poverty) schools. From the NYC Public School Parents blog: These regulations violate assurances that were given parents that NYSED would continue to respect their rights to opt their children out of the state exams.  Instead the regulationss would allow the Commissioner to wrongly identify their children's schools in need of "Comprehensive Support," withhold Title One funds and even close these schools or turn them into charters if the opt out rates were judged too high.  Complete text here.

The Regents will be discussing these regs at their meeting on Monday.  Please consider contacting Commissioner Elia or your Regents member to make your voices heard.   You can also submit comments through July 9 here.   

 

11th Grade ELA Regents Exam  

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On Tuesday, June 12th at 9 am (first day of Regents Week), all 11th Grade students at ICE will take the ELA Regents Exam.

Though ICE is in a consortium of schools with a waiver from the Regents Board, consortium schools have always had to administer the ELA Regents Only.

Here is some info about it:
-This is the only Regents Exam ICE students ever take (state law, even for consortium schools)
-If a student doesn't pass, s/he will have three more chances to try again at no penalty
-Our kids always do REALLY well the first time around
--If students want to study, practice exams can be found at NYS ED Regents