Opening Items

Master Plan Committee

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Future Use" idea generating session for the Dining Hall and Dorm buildings. 

Building Information:

Art Barn is 1,921sqft First Floor

Dining Hall total first floor square footage is roughly 4500sqft   (lower level is approximately the same size)
    Main space (with Stage) is 2,300sqft
    Side room towards Neil is 400sqft
    Kitchen is roughly 650sqft (+ bathrooms and walk in, storage rooms, circulation)

Dorm is roughly 5,000 square feet per floor.  The overwhelming majority of that space is small to medium sized rooms off of a double-loaded corridor, but there is some common gathering space in the center, overlooking the Forest Preserve to the west.

Discuss possible nature trail and campus-wide trail; Forest Preserve relationship-building ideas.
Heritage Oak Plantings
As a part of EL Education's Better World Day, over 1000 native plants were planted under 6 heritage oak trees last week by EMSA students, teachers, TA's and Dr Keenan, with the guidance of volunteers:  Gary, Kerry, Richard, Abby Steffen, Sandy Skulski, LuAnn and Kaitlyn (from Friends of the Fox).  The project was made possible by a grant from the First Congregational Church of Elgin.  EMSA's landscaper Green Guerrilla donated time & supplies to help us out.  Each class planted around one tree--this tree will be that group's tree for their entire EMSA tenure.  Each class also got their own special flower, e.g. Jacobs Ladder, Hepatica, Goldenrod, Jack in the Pulpit, Columbine, and Cardinal Flower.  Third grade is overseeing the watering of the plants--although help over the weekends and if we have dry/hot spells would be appreciated.

Pollinator garden
Thanks to grant funds from Pollinator Partnership, EMSA's 2d graders put in a pollinator-boosting 12' x 12' garden.  3d grade is overseeing watering (they study water in 3d grade).  Kerry and Gary (with Abby Steffen's help), assisted in the whole process.  

Swing set should be in by June.

Hiking/running trail--next steps
We have met with a an experienced trail designer/maker and then with parent volunteers and students.  The consensus seems to be to create a nature trail loop behind the dining hall/Neil/art cabin because there are abundant native plants and areas of interest and beauty to study and enjoy.  Then create more of a way-finding path around the rest of campus for extended walks--using existing pathways (e.g., roads and sidewalks).  An entry shelter would seem to be ideal near ravine trail starting point.  Next steps:  budget, design, plan.

Family hikes
R Wilson would like to conduct these again.