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tsitr[ui ! South Bend Community School Corporation Mail - OLD WMA Plans Exhibit D � y ago Michael Szymanski <mszymanski@sbcsc.k12.1n.us> OLD MPMA Plans 1 message Deborah Cyrier <dcyrier@sbcsc.kl2.in.us> Mon, Jul 31, 2017 at 11:02 PM To: Michael Szymanski <mszymanski@sbcsc.kl2.in.us> Mike, MPMA received the Farm to School Planning Grant in June of 2017 and with this project will be creating a Farm to School Action Plan for our bigger goal of becoming a recognized Farm to School Program. The demolition of the old MPMA facility would open up tremendous potential for our programs development as we work to partner with Unity Gardens, Purdue Extension Office, UofND, IUSB office of Sustainability, the Health Department and Food and Nutrition Services to provide more readily available locally sourced healthy options for our students. Although we are just in the beginning stages of this work several ideas have been brainstormed that could not happen without the land where the old MPMA sits. Most notably the addition of a green house for us to grow produce year round. This would be a learning lab for our students and would greatly improve our ability to sustain our "healthy choices" snack program through the cold months. We also desire to expand and make more readily accessible garden plots for the local neighborhood through a partnership with Unity Gardens (much like is at McKinley). With many families in our immediate area lacking transportation this level of access to fresh produce has the potential to greatly change nutritional habits. The garden beds next to the classrooms are great for teaching from due to proximity but to actually grow quantity we need space. We have also considered the addition of chickens to the property following city ordinances. The lack of green space currently and the reduced playing area for our students impacts instruction daily. Knowing that a piece of our approved playground space is sitting under a pile of dirt is sad for our students. The quiet reflective naturescapes that we envision being created in the footprint of the old MPMA would open doors for other outdoor learning experiences as well. I think the foot print of the old MPMA could be developed into an inviting space for the greater community and MPMA students/families. Removing the OLD MPMA also says to the community that we value you and your child enough not 'to have an eyesore that is a safety concern proximate to your child. Please keep me posted about further developments and if you need me to attend a meeting. I'm happy to do so. Deb Cyrier, Principal Marquette Primary Montessori academy z8iS Bergai Street https:llmail-geogle.comlmaiYul0l?ui=2&ik=b948c45cdl &jsver=HFKfDbXmXEv;.en.&view=pt&search=tnbox&th=15d9bbee53a18927&siml=15d9bbee53... 112