Elgin Math & Science Academy
Minutes
Environmental Work Group Meeting
Date and Time
Friday September 2, 2022 at 7:00 AM
Location
Dining Hall
1600 Dundee Ave; Elgin, IL 60120
Committee Members Present
C. Flaherty, D. Alexander, G. Swick, K. Kelly, R. Wilson, S. Bennett
Committee Members Absent
None
I. Opening Items
A.
Record Attendance
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
C.
Approve Minutes
II. Environmental Work Group--Subcommittee to Master Plan and Facilities
A.
Campus Map--It's Out There!
B.
Map of Forest Preserve
Does the forest preserve have a map? Develop this relationship? FP is planting--need to be aware. Restoration taking place--is there a science learning opportunity? Are any classes studying this yet? Also, Illinois EPA is studying the temperature, etc, of the water. Now studying the insects that live on/near the unique water.
It would be good to contact person at FP.
C.
Tick Talk
Permethrin-treated clothing
Super sticky tape that can catch the ticks
Deet bug spray
Hiking outfit
Make permethrin or protective clothes
Kids check each other after recess
How do we deal with ticks in play area? Address recess areas. Life skill.
Plan: Low mow, extra clothes, bug spray, tick checks at school and at home, wash clothes or hot drier
Action item: describe the plan. Include nurse in plan.
Prevention--action--monitoring--response to situation
D.
Ecosystem Education
Sit in a chair for 30 mins in quiet once per week--nature will come to you. Opportunity to see what is really unique on this campus.
E.
Educational Spaces, Playgrounds & Natural Play Areas
F.
Arbor Day Campus
G.
Chimney Swifts and Other Bird Protections Updates
H.
Trails and Walkways
I.
IDOT - Traffic on I-25
IDOT not making progress, can we seek additional help from Rep. Moeller?
What are our sign needs? An entrance sign facing north (for southward-driving traffic) would be helpful. Also the state school signage is needed.
Also, can we work with the traffic light that is just north of the school?
J.
Water Runoff--Updates
K.
Tree signs
L.
Sound Wall (Illinois Tollway)
Around September 20 we'll have tollway report--will call a special meeting.
M.
EMSA Mission-Vision-Goal Setting Enviro Recommendations
N.
Ongoing Tree Care & Planned Landscaping
O.
Land acknowledgement
III. Other Business
A.
Budget review
C Flaherty will be invited to attend engineering visiting/testing to learn and to report to work group.
B.
What else do we need to be thinking about?
R Wilson is retiring as our campus naturalist and he'd like to nominate C Flaherty to be our designated campus naturalist. C Flaherty is a certified naturalist, is here everyday, and is passionate about the property. Can we elevate this position--on our website?
Can we set up a question-for-the naturalist (and historian) program?
Follow up with video recording of Richard? A book to capture Richard's notes?
Sue has extra copies and will give to Nicole for students.
Mid-year touch base with teachers.