Final

Elgin Math & Science Academy

Environmental Work Group Meeting

Date and Time

Friday April 21, 2023 at 7:00 AM CDT

Location

Neil/Elementary Cafeteria

1600 Dundee Ave; Elgin, IL 60120

Agenda

      Purpose Presenter Time
I. Opening Items 7:00 AM
  A. Record Attendance   1 m
  B. Call the Meeting to Order   Kerry Kelly
  C. Approve Minutes Approve Minutes 1 m
    Approve minutes for Environmental Work Group Meeting on March 17, 2023  
II. Better World Day Project 7:02 AM
  A. Updates Discuss EMSA Staff 5 m
III. Water Resource Management 7:07 AM
  A. Administration Building Plans--Updates Discuss Dan Alexander & Chris Flaherty 10 m
  B. Rainwater Campus-wide Discuss 2 m
IV. EMSA Parking Plan 7:19 AM
  A. Parking Plan at EMSA Discuss Dan Alexander 8 m
   

Review event parking flow from recent musical.  Carpooling updates. 

 

A description of how parking faclitation has worked for Descendants is attached.  

  
  B. Next steps 10 m
  C. Outdoor lighting considerations Discuss Kerry Kelly 2 m
   

As stewards, we can strive to reduce light pollution and its impact on EMSA's trees and insects

https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20230308-how-light-pollution-disrupts-plants-senses?ocid=ww.social.link.email

  
V. Environmental Work Group Continuing Items 7:39 AM
  A. Educational Spaces, Playgrounds & Natural Play Areas Discuss Team 10 m
   

 

  • Bird Strike Prevention 
  • Expanding play areas:  behind Admin Bldg, in front of gym, beside gym, other
    • Gym-area playground--next steps (quote from GG, MS students to mulch)
    • Weedy patch between Gym & Admin (not part of prior construction agreement?)  Ideas/Plans
  • Campus Map--info on use
  • Map of Forest Preserve 
  • Kindergarten outdoor learning space
  • 4th grade sound impact from playground
  • Rain barrels--keep on radar
  • Pollinator garden, Oak plantings, oak understory--maintenance plans 
  • Adoption and communication of Tick Policy
  • Silo Art Project

 

  
  B. Ecosystem Education Discuss Team 10 m
   

 

  1. Teacher support on ecosystem education 
  2. Partnership with Friends of the Fox
  3. Friday Field Studies
  4. Partnership with Forest Preserve of Kane County. 
  5. Enviro Club or Hiking Club plans
  6. Casual trail/walking for staff and students
  7. Signage:  tree signs, info signs
  8. Land Acknowledgement
  9. "Green Label" School Designation
  
  C. Sound Wall (Illinois Tollway) Discuss Dan Alexander 2 m
   

Update from D Alexander and next steps.

 

 

  
  D. IDOT - Traffic on I-25 Discuss Dan Alexander 2 m
   

Update from D Alexander and next steps (outreach to elected officials).

  
  E. Ongoing Tree Care & Planned Landscaping Christopher Flaherty 2 m
VI. Other Business 8:05 AM
  A. EMSA Mission-Vision-Goal Setting Enviro Recommendations Discuss Sue Bennett 5 m
   

Next steps

  
VII. Closing Items 8:10 AM
  A. Adjourn Meeting Vote