Waters Elementary
4540 N. Campbell Ave. Chicago, IL 60625  (773)534-5090 
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Teas, seeds, trees, and water

1/5/2020

 
Dear Friends, 
We enter our first full school week of the new year!
I wrote a little note to myself, sealed it in an envelope, and placed it on my desk, facing me. 
"Open on first day of school 2021".
Last year the note said : "What happened?"
That is THE question. What will happen? And will we be able to shape our future? Will we have effect? We will see. Here we go.

On Monday, the two 8th grade classes will carry on a tradition of processing mint leaves that they harvested and hung to dry in the shed.  They strip the leaves and push them through a colander to create a fine tea mixture. Other kids spoon it into paper filter bags and staple shut.
While they are doing that, other students prepare mint tea in pots, and serve it to their classmates as they work. The tea is paired with small slices of french bread dabbed with gooseberry jam made from our berries. 
Still other students will spoon roasted pumpkin seeds into small envelopes that will be gifted to staff and the 8th grade. These seeds were taken from the left over pumpkins from harvest day, cleaned, spiced and roasted over my wood burning stove. 
It is a nice ritual, remembering the past seasons, and work done.

First Grade tree study will be up and running again, as well as rehearsal for the Snake and Turtle performances.  Snake and Turtle have a new address, on the south side of the big net by the sports field. 8th grade will be working on the finished installation in the Spring. The backs of Snake and Turtle adorned by beautiful mosaic paving stones created and donated by my neighbor Liz Chase.

I will be scheduling  prep classes for the winter field ecology program. The schedule is up and running on the Waters School site. 

Waters Ecology Incorporates!
Sounds scary, huh? Last year I was asked to create an entity that could receive funds from Waters Today, our fundraising organization. So, I created Waters Elementary Ecology, L3C.  Thanks to Jamie and Adi for doing the filing and translations. This is all new stuff to me. I will have to do some more filings, and due diligence on the book keeping side of things. I am wondering if anyone out there has experience or knowledge about what is required, what is urgent, and where you find Form llc49-3876-c9 (joke!).
Anyway, if anyone has a suggestion or a moment to consult, please let me know. 
Happy New Year to all, 
Mr. Leki

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    Ecology Program & Calendar
    PictureMr. Pete Leki, Waters Ecology Program Founder and Director
    Visit the Waters Ecology Program Website for current/historical writings, films, photos, and interviews.

     Email: 
    petelekisan@gmail.com

    Links
    Water Ecology Program Website
    Riverbank Neighbors
    Friends of the Chicago River
    Forest Preserves of Cook County
    Openlands
    North Park Village Nature Center

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