Parents' bid for Wells language academy gets EVA support


Wells Community Academy High School principal Rituparna Raichoudhuri

East Village Association minutes for March 6, 2017, by Daniel Navarro

Officer Elections
  • President - Michael VanDam
  • Vice President - Daniel Navarro
  • Treasurer - Peter Gariepy
  • Secretary - Michelle Hayward
  • Call for nominations from the floor - no such nominations.
  • Call to vote - all approved.
  • Stephen Rynkiewicz appointed webmaster/newsletter editor.
Discussion with Principal Rita Raichoudhuri of Wells High School
  • Progress on World Language Academy at Wells: Several elementary school teach foreign language, but there is no high school college-prep program for language. Initial thought was to a new building as a language academy; this was changed to moving it towards an existing facility.
  • Wells has improved to a level 2+, close to a level 1. Wells needs students, as more students = more funds. The language academy would assist in bringing more students.
  • Parents vote at end of March to pursue a pilot program. Wells and Clemente are finalists. Wells has already created project to show what it will take to offer college level foreign language classes for a high-proficiency four-year program instead of the two years currently offered.
  • The school at 936 N. Ashland Ave. currently has a top-rated law academy and a computer science academy, both open citywide, with electives expanding on core classes.
  • The earliest this could be launched would be the 2018 school year. It would require additional funding.
  • Currently students can come into Wells for the selective-enrollment law academy, citywide computer science academy or general track. Students can switch between academies as interests change.
  • What you can do: Send a note to Ald. Proco Joe Moreno asking him to have the program go to Wells; he is currently sitting on the voting board. Motion carried to send EVA letter of support.
  • Field of Hope: May 13 groundbreaking scheduled for ballfield; to be completed before Labor Day weekend. Look for celebrations for groundbreaking and ribbon cutting.
  • Follow Wells Community Academy Connection on Facebook and Twitter.
West Town Public Safety Committee
  • February safety meeting led to joint commitee forming among Chicago Grand Neighbors Association, West Town Neighbors, Ukrainian Village Neighborhood Association and EVA. First meeting was March 4, with a followup meeting planned.
  • Group plans co-chairs north and south of Chicago Avenue, with separate chairs for federal/state and local initiatives, that would coordinate with CAPS beat groups.
  • Survey will be posted on website to present feedback.
  • Lyn Wolfson will notify interested parties of upcoming meetings.
Planning, Preparation & Development
  • Augusta dairy building (1936-44 W. Augusta) plans still going through revision before developer resubmit to landmarks commission.
  • Zoning change for Starbucks at 1701 W. Division moving forward; notice posted.
New business
  • St. Boniface plans moving forward at 1358 W. Chestnut St. Stas Development is working with Space Architects.
  • Eckhart Park fundraiser May 11 at Shiparo Ballroom, 1612 W. Chicago Ave.
  • Tagging updates on Facebook neighborhood-watch pages.
Tom Tomek business card
Anselmo @properties business card,
Ask Nagel business card.

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