Schoolyard

Major Schoolyard Project Update

At the October 30 Board of Education meeting, District 97 staff and their landscape architecture firm, Altamanu, presented a plan for the Irving Schoolyard Project. It was a response to the feedback our team has given District 97 and Altamanu this Fall encouraging them to include plans for not only a playground but for a field as well. One of the main goals of the Schoolyard Project has always been to remove as much of the asphalt as possible.

The plan presented by Altamanu was a very basic outline of two options of playground improvements: one to repair the existing equipment and one to replace it completely. It included two options for a synthetic turf field: one smaller and one larger. And it included options for resurfacing the existing parking lot or moving it to where the current playground is.

The purpose of the board discussion was to provide feedback on funding, planning and partnerships so Altamanu can move ahead with designing a more detailed plan for construction in the summer of 2013.

A lengthy discussion by the board resulted in the following key points:

1. The board was clear and forthcoming in its enthusiastic support for the Schoolyard Project.

2. More time is needed to have a revised plan that includes items the board is in favor of reviewing.

3. They would like more details on including a larger size, multi-purpose field, which requires moving the current parking lot.

4. They want to see a synthetic turf field of some size installed.

5. They want to see options that address adequate lighting. [Note: The type of lights was not clarified. Some lighting for safety at dusk may be sufficient, similar to what exists now around the schoolyard and the parking lot.]

6. They prefer a completely new playground, which would likely have a rubberized surface.

7. They are flexible on the placement of the field, playground and parking, as is the Schoolyard Project team.

8. They are completely committed to improving safety at Irving and it is “mandatory” that something major happen in the summer of 2013.

There will be further discussion at the November 13 Board of Education meeting. This will include more details on the cost of various options of the field, playground and parking.

There will be two opportunities for significant input from Irving families and staff. Our original public input dates of 11/7 and 11/15 had to be postponed so that the board can continue the discussion of financial commitment, which leads into a more detailed plan. We will let you know loud and clear when these next meetings are re-scheduled.

Please try to attend the November 13 Board of Education meeting. It’s at 7pm at the District 97 Admin Building, 970 W. Madison (entrance is on Madison). Your presence shows the board there is support for their financial commitment. For details on the agenda, and minutes of the October 30 meeting, check the District 97 website: http://www.op97.org/board-of-education/Meeting-Packets.cfm

If you have any questions, please contact Margaret Jeschke (margaret_jeschke@yahoo.com) or Laura Crawford (lauracrawford47@gmail.com).

THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT OF THE SCHOOLYARD PROJECT! WE’RE REALLY GETTING THERE!

Board of Education to Discuss Funding for Irving Schoolyard Project

WE NEED YOU TO ATTEND!

This TUESDAY, OCTOBER 30, the District 97 Board of Education will be discussing the Irving Schoolyard Project. The meeting starts at 7pm and the Irving Schoolyard Project will be discussed around 8pm. The meeting is held at the D97 Administrative Offices at 970 W. Madison.

The Irving Schoolyard Project team has been guiding the master plan for many years; but with construction planned for the summer of 2013, it is now time for the Board of Education to discuss their financial commitment to the project so a specific plan for construction can move forward.

District 97’s landscape architecture firm, Altamanu, along with D97 administration staff, will be presenting the latest version of the plans for the Irving schoolyard along with a preliminary cost estimate.* Our expectation is that the Board will discuss the plan and decide if additional funding from the District is available for the project. Their decision will allow Altamanu to move forward with developing more detailed site plans.

There will also be two upcoming presentations for the Irving community to give input. Please plan to attend an initial meeting on November 7 and a final presentation on November 15, both at 6:30pm at Irving School. These are Irving-specific working meetings so all our families and staff can give specific feedback to the landscape architects as they finalize a site plan. These meetings will be the last chance for the Irving community to provide input on this process, so please plan on attending.

[UPDATE: Due to conflicts, the November 7 and 15 meetings will be rescheduled.]

*Given the tight timeline, the plans and the cost estimates being presented are not yet available. Those interested in reviewing the material prior to the meeting on Tuesday evening can check the District 97 website for an updated BOE meeting packet (http://www.op97.org/board-of-education/Meeting-Packets.cfm).

Please contact Margaret Jeschke (margaret_jeschke@yahoo.com) or Laura Crawford (lauracrawford47@gmail.com) with any questions at any time. See irvingschoolyard.com for background info.

Again, that’s:
October 30, 7pm start time (8pm likely discussion time), D97 Admin Building, 970 W. Madison (entrance is on Madison).
To be rescheduled: November 7, 6:30 pm start time, Irving School auditorium.
To be rescheduled: November 15, 6:30pm start time, Irving School auditorium.

We need you to attend these meetings to demonstrate how much our families and staff support our school and to have your input heard!

THANK YOU!

The Irving Schoolyard Project Team

November 1: Shop at Whole Foods for the Schoolyard!

Scavenger Hunt at Whole Foods – THURSDAY NOVEMBER 1 ONLY!
On Thursday, November 1 Whole Foods is donating 5% of sales to the Irving Schoolyard Project. To support this effort over 30 teachers and staff from all District 97 schools volunteered to have their pictures placed in Whole Foods near their favorite food. You can find them! Go on a scavenger hunt to find them while also shopping to help the ISP! Get the full list of teachers when you come in the door, write down their favorite food when you find their picture, and enter the raffle to win a gift card from Whole Foods Market!

Please consider stocking your fridge with meat, taking your family over for dinner, or buying wine and beer for the holidays. It’s the day after Halloween, so think healthy snacks for your children after all that candy. If time is an issue, please consider using their personal shopper (fee waived this day). All you do is place an order at least 48 hours in advance by emailing mw.rvf.marketing@wholefoods.com or calling 708.366.1045 (ask for Concierge Lauren) and then pick up your fulfilled order that day at a time specified by YOU! So head out to Whole Foods Market in River Forest on Thursday November 1.

Thank you to Whole Foods for it’s generous support of the Irving Schoolyard Project! Hope to see you there searching for your teacher, buying lots of yummy healthy items, and supporting your community. Thank you!

wholefoods-flyerƒinal

Irving Schoolyard Project and Whole Foods Market
Help the Irving Schoolyard Project!
5% of all sales at Whole Foods in River Forest on Thursday November 1 goes to the Irving Schoolyard Project.
Please consider stocking your fridge with meat, taking your family over for dinner, or buying wine and beer for the holidays.  It’s the day after Halloween, so think healthy snacks for your children after all that candy.  If time is an issue, please consider using their personal shopper (fee waived this day).  All you do is place an order at least 48 hours in advance by emailing mw.rvf.marketing@wholefoods.com or calling 708.366.1045 (ask for Concierge Lauren) and then pick up your fulfilled order that day at a time specified by YOU!
So head out to Whole Foods Market in River Forest on Thursday November 1 to help raise funds for the Irving Schoolyard Project.   Thank you to Whole Foods for it’s generous support of the Irving Schoolyard Project

Solarbration Video

Here comes the sun!

Irving students celebrated solar energy during Earth Week by having a Solarbration. Thanks to a generous grant from the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation, which was matched by the 2011 Ragnar team and private donations, Irving School now has five solar panels that are part of the plan to improve the schoolyard and integrate the environment into curriculum.

The Solarbration video celebrates the enthusiasm Irving students have for renewable energy and the environment.

You can watch a video of the Solarbration here. Music was performed by Irving students during the 2011 Winter Concert.

Please share this video with your friends and family, and ask them to consider a donation to the Irving Schoolyard Project!