I met with the Local School Council of Goethe Elementary tonight with the lovely Sociology major Kathryn Haedo.
I am so happy and excited that she is accompanying my in this project. This will be a community effort that I feel will be most fruitful and wonderful when the garden has been established.
We were listening to the LSC deliberate on different important issues within the school- budget, fund raising, funding, school uniforms, quality of education, curriculum, extracurricular activities, etc. The Group was small with the attendees of about 5 parents and three faculty members.
We made a presentation for them to view with our intentions and their responses were very positive.
They offered their support and considerations.
I will write more about the meeting tomorrow!
Thanks.
11.19.2009
11.16.2009
Goethe Elementary Community Garden, first letter
The first letter to Alderman Manny Flores
----------------------------------------------------
November 16, 2009
Alderman Manny Flores, 1st Ward
2058 W. Western Ave., Chicago, IL 60647
CC: Local School Council of Goethe Elementary
Raymond Valadez, Chief of Staff
Jeanine Otte, Director of Community Affairs
Scarleth Lever, Director of Legislative Affairs
Dear Alderman Manny Flores,
I am writing this letter to propose to you and your staff a community garden project associated with the Chicago Public School Goethe Elementary, being that their proximity is close; the long-vacant lot is located across the street from the school. The property located at 2635 N. Medill within the Logan Square community and the 1st ward will hopefully be utilized for this purpose through a land use permit specifically drafted for community gardening. The project, supported by the surrounding community, will greatly benefit the area and enhance the community dynamic. Many successful community gardens are in place within the city and the more the merrier. I believe the school should be given primary access to the garden through not only their proximity, but the potential the garden has to become a resource for the students as an after-school outlet, as well as supplemental to education. It can be viewed as a definitively positive addition to the community. The garden will yield a good production of fresh produce and those who work in the garden will benefit, as well as the ability to raise funds for the garden through farmer’s markets or whatever else is determined.
The proposed community garden will become part of the community once support has been well-established. Speaking to various people within the community thus far has created positive responses. With permissions of the current owners (I currently have the deeds) of the long-vacant lots, this proposal seems like a feasible project that can continue for as long as Chicago is a city and children are children. We would greatly appreciate your support in the efforts through sustaining the project through support of any kind, suggestions, or anything else you find relevant, please do not hesitate to respond. In conclusion, the community is fully committed to the success of this community garden and your full support is appreciated as I am personally seeking your advice and support in the execution of this project. I would like to extend an invitation to the Local School Council meeting of Goethe Elementary at 5pm this Thursday, November 19th, I will be giving a presentation on the garden initiative and the research I have conducted thus far. Thank you for your consideration of this proposal.
Sincerely,
Michelle Daniela Villarreal
Resident of Logan Square, Artist/Designer/Educator/Volunteer and current
BFA student at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago
(312) 218- 7817
mvilla2@saic.edu
----------------------------------------------------
November 16, 2009
Alderman Manny Flores, 1st Ward
2058 W. Western Ave., Chicago, IL 60647
CC: Local School Council of Goethe Elementary
Raymond Valadez, Chief of Staff
Jeanine Otte, Director of Community Affairs
Scarleth Lever, Director of Legislative Affairs
Dear Alderman Manny Flores,
I am writing this letter to propose to you and your staff a community garden project associated with the Chicago Public School Goethe Elementary, being that their proximity is close; the long-vacant lot is located across the street from the school. The property located at 2635 N. Medill within the Logan Square community and the 1st ward will hopefully be utilized for this purpose through a land use permit specifically drafted for community gardening. The project, supported by the surrounding community, will greatly benefit the area and enhance the community dynamic. Many successful community gardens are in place within the city and the more the merrier. I believe the school should be given primary access to the garden through not only their proximity, but the potential the garden has to become a resource for the students as an after-school outlet, as well as supplemental to education. It can be viewed as a definitively positive addition to the community. The garden will yield a good production of fresh produce and those who work in the garden will benefit, as well as the ability to raise funds for the garden through farmer’s markets or whatever else is determined.
The proposed community garden will become part of the community once support has been well-established. Speaking to various people within the community thus far has created positive responses. With permissions of the current owners (I currently have the deeds) of the long-vacant lots, this proposal seems like a feasible project that can continue for as long as Chicago is a city and children are children. We would greatly appreciate your support in the efforts through sustaining the project through support of any kind, suggestions, or anything else you find relevant, please do not hesitate to respond. In conclusion, the community is fully committed to the success of this community garden and your full support is appreciated as I am personally seeking your advice and support in the execution of this project. I would like to extend an invitation to the Local School Council meeting of Goethe Elementary at 5pm this Thursday, November 19th, I will be giving a presentation on the garden initiative and the research I have conducted thus far. Thank you for your consideration of this proposal.
Sincerely,
Michelle Daniela Villarreal
Resident of Logan Square, Artist/Designer/Educator/Volunteer and current
BFA student at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago
(312) 218- 7817
mvilla2@saic.edu
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