Elgin Math & Science Academy
Minutes
Enviro Group Meeting
Date and Time
Friday May 6, 2022 at 12:00 PM
Location
Dining Hall
EMSA Campus
1600 Dundee Ave
Elgin
Committee Members Present
C. Flaherty, D. Alexander, G. Swick, K. Kelly, R. Wilson
Committee Members Absent
S. Bennett, S. Said
I. Opening Items
A.
Record Attendance
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
C.
Approve Minutes
D.
Aprove Minutes
II. Campus Map
A.
Proposed Campus Map
III. Environmental Work Group--Subcommittee to Master Plan and Facilities
A.
Ecosystem Education--Quick update or check in at next meeting
Discussed Friday Field Studies as a way to activate staff and deliver eco-education to students. Could expand to other "fields" of study, such as baking, theatre. The window for Fridays 1:30-30 with busing for all, makes for a special learning opportunity. Next steps--to discuss further with J. WIller.
G Swick will be meeting with County Rep and invite him to tour the EMSA campus. The work group discussed approaches to working with the Forest Preserve District.
Passion Projects will be presented and voted upon (under J Willer's supervision and guidance). The winning project will get some funding (depending on cost) from the EMSA Board.
It was agreed that a map of the Forested Fen and surrounding areas would be helpful to share with teachers and staff. Add this as an agenda item.
B.
Trails and Walkways
The Hiking Club will celebrate it's last day with a trail service/creation project. They'll work alongside volunteers in creating a good start to the Ravine Trail. Pizza party to follow!
C.
Playgrounds & Natural Play Areas Update
D.
Sound Wall
E.
Better World Day Rocks--Placement
The Work Group favored placing the painted rocks along the asphalt path where it meets the grass. Other ideas included along the rocky walkway, in a group somewhere.
F.
Friday Field Studies
see above
G.
Arbor Day Campus
DA will share the application to be and Arbor Day Campus with Katie Taylor. Deadline is the last day of school. The Group agreed that this could be a great partnership and opportunity to get our name out among conservation groups.
H.
EMSA Mission-Vision-Goal Setting Enviro Recommendations
I.
Goal setting/vision of work group
J.
Water Runoff--Updates
K.
Chimney Swifts and Other Bird Protections Updates
L.
Ongoing Tree Care & Planned Landscaping
G Swick has Steve Beyers' slides from his presentation about the Forested Fen. More to come.
IV. Other Business
A.
What else do we need to be thinking about?
Can we "rename" the Dining Hall? Ideas?
Enviro Group would like to add an intro/invite sentence or two:
The Enviro Work Group invites all teachers and TA's to schedule a very brief (15 min) overview of the campus map--to highlight the various locations and ideal activities. If you'd like to meet in a group--that'd be terrific! If you'd like more time and a tour, we'd be happy to schedule that, too! We can schedule through Dan Alexander: dalexander@emsacharter.org
Thanks and Happy Trails from the Enviro Work Group.