At a press conference March 31, administrators from Seven Generations Charter School announced plans to move into former Rodale Organic Park headquarters to unite the school community under one roof.

The school’s so-called “biggest recycle and repurpose project to date” and nearly $15 million investment will open for the 2022-2023 academic year.

According to media reports, Seven Generations purchased the building from Emmaus borough after the borough scrapped renovation plans once costs skyrocketed from $4.1 million to $14.8 million.

Located at 33 E. Minor St. in Emmaus, the new school will house kindergarten through eighth grade, with a focus on sustainability. Since its opening in 2009, the school utilizes Environment as an Integrating Context to aid its student’s education in a more hands-on manner.

“This property will allow us to practice sustainability, stewardship and creativity,” EIC Curriculum Director Jen Hersh said.

School administrators pointed out they felt the property’s former use upheld similar environmental values, which encouraged them to purchase the building. Throughout its expansions, Organic Park saw various changes, including one in 1990 that used local oak and cherry wood from South Mountain.

“The building was a physical reflection of Rodale’s philosophy and mission,” Nicole Neagley, director of student services, said. “Creative shapes and sustainable materials carry throughout this space.”

School officials plan to maintain their sustainable efforts throughout the renovation process, utilizing the spaces to their fullest capacity. Floor plans show a previously expanded location in the building, which houses a truck loading dock, which will serve as a space for the arts. Students can rehearse for concerts next door in the music room and when the time comes for a concert, students can walk out onto a stage from the former loading dock.

Hersh hopes the “children [will] be the color of the school,” alongside the minimalistic sustainable designs.

Approximately 552 students will paint the school with their colorful personalities, in addition to 70 staff.

Hersh noted this will mark the first time since 2014 students and staff will operate under one roof.

Hersh describes Rodale Organic Park as a “perfect fit” for the school.

“We are thrilled to see our core values come to life in this beautiful building,” Mandy Suro, a fifth grade teacher at the school, said.

“The expansive green space gives us the opportunity for outdoor classrooms and on-campus learning spaces.”

Special Education Supervisor Kelly Paxton explained the school will incorporate “specialty spaces” for students to take part in art, music and foreign language classes. Across from the school’s to-be library students can find environment and ecology labs.

Suro explained these conditions will provide students with more learning opportunities.

“Hands-on, project-based experiences help students understand their purpose and how they are connected to the world,” Suro said.

“As our students explore, they witness the interdependence of our community and learn how integral they are, even as young children.”

Their forward-thinking mindset does not stop there.

Administrators viewed the pandemic as an opportunity to plan during renovations to better equip themselves for any similar events in the future. To Neagley, “everything has changed,” due to the pandemic, but everyday safety protocols like social distancing allow the administration to adapt and prepare accordingly if necessary.

The Seven Generations staff and administration are excited to move forward with the project sustainably maintaining their mission and vision, Neagley said.

“We are proud to work alongside [the Seven Generations Board of Trustees and the Seven Generations Foundation] not only to expand our space, but to do so in keeping with our mission and vision,” Neagley said.