Ithaca students push for wider access to Physics C; student reps report school events and programs

At the March 11, 2025 board meeting, sophomore Mookie Lungern Lahav told the board that many rising juniors at Ithaca High School meet the prerequisites and want to take Physics C, the district's calculus-based physics course.

"Physics C is a calculus based physics class and the hardest physics class that IHS offers," Mookie said, adding that the course "provides a valuable experience for STEM oriented students" and helps students be competitive for physics competitions and selective summer programs such as SSP and RSI. Mookie said some students who meet qualifications have been shut out of the class and asked the board to allocate resources so interested juniors and seniors can take it.

Board members responded during the board-response portion of the meeting and said staff would look into enrollment and placement. A district staff member explained course requests are still being processed at this time of year and that final placements are typically confirmed later in the scheduling cycle; the staff member also noted Mary Grover is looped into related emails from students.

Student representatives then delivered routine reports: one rep said middle school students would be dismissed early March 13 for a literary afternoon; juniors and some seniors will present PBATs to staff and community members; a staff visit to School Without Walls in Rochester is planned to observe inquiry-based learning; the theater department is planning one-act plays; many seniors are progressing on required senior projects that range from podcasting to sustainability efforts.

Other rep updates included a newly installed washer and dryer on campus to assist custodial operations and community closet efforts; a library "March Madness" book bracket; and robotics team Code Red traveling to the Finger Lakes Regional Competition (March 12'15) and a Tech Valley regional the following weekend. Student reps also noted social justice week events March 17 and that changes to Google services (including YouTube, Maps and Translate) are scheduled for March 21; reps said they would monitor student response after implementation.

Board members thanked the student speakers and said staff would follow up on the Physics C placement concerns by reviewing course requests and scheduling constraints. The board encouraged students and PTAs to engage through the district's "Let's Talk" portal and said staff and board members are available for school visits and community conversations about the budget and program questions.