Ithaca Community Childcare Center - IC3

🎉 Celebrating 6 Amazing Years at IC3! 🎉

Today we're celebrating Christine "Chris" Thomas and her 6-year anniversary at IC3! 💚

As the leader of our School Age Summer Camp and Afterschool Program, Chris brings creativity, organization, and a passion for creating meaningful experiences for children. From planning exciting daily activities to organizing unforgettable field trips and special events, she works tirelessly to create engaging experiences that keep children learning, exploring, and making memories all year long. ☀️🏕️🎒

If you've ever attended one of our camp celebrations, you've probably experienced another one of Chris's many talents! 🍿🍧🍭 Whether she's popping fresh popcorn, spinning fluffy cotton candy, or serving up refreshing snow cones, Chris always goes the extra mile to make every event feel a little more special and a lot more fun for our campers. Those extra touches are just one more way she helps create lasting memories. ✨

Chris's passion for working with children extends far beyond IC3. During the school year, she also shares her love for education as a teacher at Beverly J. Martin Elementary School. 🍎📚 Her dedication to helping children learn, grow, and succeed shines through in every role she takes on.

Whether she's leading the Afterschool Program, creating an unforgettable Summer Camp experience, planning exciting adventures, or making a child's day with a bag of popcorn or a colorful snow cone, Chris's positive attitude, creativity, and commitment to children make a lasting impact on our IC3 community.

Thank you, Chris, for your 6 years of dedication, leadership, and passion for creating meaningful experiences for children and families. We are so grateful for everything you do to make IC3 such a special place!

Happy 6-Year Anniversary! 🎉👏💚

☀️🎒🍿🍧💚

🎉 Celebrating 24 Incredible Years at IC3! 🎉

Today we're celebrating Sarah Clark and her 24 years of dedication to the children, families, and staff of IC3! 💚

Sarah began her journey at IC3 as a Teacher's Assistant, and through her passion, dedication, and love for early childhood education, she grew into her role as the beloved teacher in our Koala Classroom. 🐨❤️

Over the years, Sarah has built a strong, child-centered curriculum that encourages curiosity, exploration, and active learning. She believes children learn best by doing, and she empowers them to help shape their own learning experiences by following their interests and ideas. Whether it's an outdoor adventure, a nature exploration, or a classroom project inspired by the children themselves, Sarah creates meaningful experiences that foster confidence, creativity, and a lifelong love of learning. 🌿🔍🌈

And of course... you can't mention Sarah and the Koala Classroom without talking about the annual Koala Campout! 🏕️🔥 Each year, Sarah brings together current and former Koala families for a special overnight camping tradition. It's a wonderful opportunity to reconnect, build community, and create lasting memories that extend far beyond the classroom walls. ❤️⛺

Sarah, thank you for your 24 years of inspiring young learners, your unwavering commitment to early childhood education, and the countless memories you've created for generations of IC3 families. Your passion and dedication continue to make a lasting impact on our community.

Congratulations on this amazing milestone! 🎉👏💚

🌿🐨🏕️

🌞🎉 What an AMAZING start to Summer Camp at IC3! 🎉🌞

The first two weeks have been packed with adventure, creativity, exploration, and SO much fun! Here's a look back at all the memories we've made so far! 💚☀️

💦🌊 Week 1: Water Week 🌊💦

What better way to kick off summer than with Water Week! 😎💙

🔬 Campers became junior scientists as they experimented with sink or float! They tested all kinds of objects, made predictions, and even designed and built their own boats before putting them to the test! 🚤🧪

🌊 Before the extreme heat arrived, campers enjoyed an exciting trip to Taughannock Falls State Park, where they explored, played, and soaked up the beautiful outdoors! ☀️🌳

🍨 One classroom created a delicious ocean-themed treat using blue Jell-O and vanilla wafers. 🌊🐠

🏡 Creativity was everywhere as campers built whimsical fairy houses, constructed incredible creations with LEGOs, and let their imaginations shine! ✨🧚🧱

♻️💚 Week 2: Green Week 💚♻️

Week 2 focused on caring for our planet and learning all about sustainability! 🌎💚

🐍 Campers were thrilled to welcome Dan the Snake Man, who introduced them to fascinating animals, including snakes, turtles, and even a tarantula! 🐢🕷️ Everyone loved getting an up-close look at these incredible creatures!

🌊 Campers also returned to Taughannock Falls for another fun-filled day of outdoor adventure! ☀️🥾

🌱 Green thumbs were hard at work as campers decorated their own planters and participated in planting projects, learning how to help things grow! 🌼🪴

♻️ We also welcomed the Tompkins County Recycling Center, where campers learned all about recycling, sustainability, and simple ways they can help care for our environment every day! 🌍💚

A HUGE thank you to our incredible staff for creating unforgettable experiences and to our camp families for making Summer Camp such a success! ❤️

We can't wait to see what adventures the rest of the summer has in store! ☀️🎒🌈

☀️💙🌿

🎉💚 IC3 Alumni Spotlight | Celebrating 50 Years of Growing Together! 💚🎉

As we celebrate IC3's 50th Anniversary, we're excited to reconnect with some of our incredible alumni and see where life has taken them! Today, we're shining the spotlight on siblings Thomas Kopelson and Elin Kopelson, whose IC3 journeys began many years ago. 🌟

👦 Thomas Kopelson attended IC3 from 2005–2008, where he was part of our Kangaroo Classroom.

After graduating from Arizona State University in 2025 with a Bachelor's degree in Earth and Environmental Science, Thomas returned home to Ithaca. 🌎🪨 Since October 2025, he has been working for a geotechnical and environmental consulting firm, performing testing and monitoring at construction sites throughout Upstate New York.

Thomas will return to Arizona State University in January 2027 to begin a two-year Master's in Education program. His goal is to become a middle or high school science or Earth Science teacher, inspiring the next generation of learners! 🍎📚🌍

👧 Elin Kopelson attended IC3 from 2007–2012, spending time in our Cub Classroom (a classroom many of our longtime families may remember!) and later our Hedgehog Pre-K Classroom. 🦔💚

This spring, Elin completed her first year at the University of Toronto, where she is majoring in International Relations. 🌎 She plans to minor in French and is currently spending her summer studying abroad in Tours, France, immersing herself in the language and culture. 🇫🇷📖✈️

Their family shared something that perfectly captures the spirit of IC3:

"As a parent, it was always a joy to see both Thomas and Elin continue their childhood experiences and education in Ithaca schools with friends that they first met at IC3. After IC3 they continued to grow with their former classmates through summer camps, class trips, and sports teams. Their bonds with IC3 friends remained strong, even if it had been a few years before reconnecting." ❤️

Here's to 50 years of nurturing curious minds, lifelong friendships, and bright futures! 💚🎉

🐿️ Chipmunk Classroom Adventure! 🌞🚶‍♀️🚶‍♂️

Last week, our Chipmunk classroom took their very first neighborhood walk using our new Kinder 6-seat stroller, and the children had such a wonderful time exploring the outdoors together! 🌳💛

We are excited for many more safe and fun adventures ahead with this amazing stroller! 🐿️💚

🌈☀️

🎉🧹💙 Celebrating 5 Amazing Years at IC3! 💙🧹🎉

Today we are so excited to celebrate Sung Anderson for 5 wonderful years at IC3! 🌟

Sung plays such an important role in keeping our building clean, safe, and welcoming for all of our children, families, and staff every single day 🏫✨🧼. From sparkling classrooms to fresh common spaces, Sung’s hard work behind the scenes helps make IC3 feel like home 💛

We are so grateful for the care, consistency, and dedication Sung brings to our center. Our community truly shines brighter because of you! 🌈🌟

Please join us in celebrating and thanking Sung for 5 incredible years of service and commitment to IC3! 🎊👏💐

💙🧹✨