In the wake of school closures due to COVID-19, many families have found themselves unexpectedly assuming the role of caretaker for their children’s classroom pets. These pets, ranging from Venus flytraps to guinea pigs, have sparked a surge of responsibility among parents and students alike.
The Case of Chompy
Take, for instance, the case of a Venus flytrap named “Chompy.” When the local school in Lebanon, Oregon, was forced to close, the gardening instructor, who also assists in a fourth-grade classroom, found herself in charge of Chompy. While some may question how a plant qualifies as a class pet, the fact that it consumes bugs certainly adds to its appeal. Chompy now sits on a windowsill, waiting for opportunities to catch its next meal.
Diverse Class Pets
The diversity of class pets is remarkable. In Queens, New York, a fourth grader’s family has taken in Oreo, a popular guinea pig that was meant to rotate among students for weekend care. Jennifer, Oreo’s temporary guardian, expressed that while she enjoys having him, other families are eager to take their turn. “We’re on a month-long schedule, but I wouldn’t mind keeping him longer,” she noted.
Challenges in the Bronx
Conversely, Emily, an animal behavior teacher in the Bronx, faced a more daunting challenge. With an entire menagerie of pets to find homes for before schools closed, she successfully placed gerbils, hamsters, and even a colony of hissing cockroaches. To keep her students engaged, she created an Instagram account dedicated to their classroom animals, allowing everyone to follow their adventures during the pandemic.
Cujo the Hamster
Meanwhile, in rural Oregon, Bree, a former teacher, took home Cujo, a teddy bear hamster whose charm captivated her students. The conversations about Cujo are frequent, and one student even suggested a trade for Chompy, though that idea was quickly dismissed due to potential dangers posed by her household pets.
Hatching Chicks in Virginia
In Lunenburg County, Virginia, Krista’s third-grade class was in the process of hatching chicks when school was closed. She ended up with 16 newly hatched chicks and made the best out of the situation by documenting the hatching process on YouTube for her students to witness.
Fish Care in Ohio
Not every teacher was so eager to take on class pets, particularly fish. Jacquie, a fourth-grade aide in Ohio, ended up with Peppa, the class fish, along with three others that were at risk of being flushed down the toilet. “I’ve had success with fish, which is why I stepped up,” she explained.
A Collective Effort
The situation highlights that while some families are stepping up to care for class pets, the fate of many remains uncertain. However, the kindness of those willing to take in frogs, guinea pigs, and even Venus flytraps demonstrates a collective effort to provide these creatures with a safe haven. As one Brooklyn mother put it, her child’s classroom tortoise has become a comforting presence during these unpredictable times.
For further insights about the intersection of classroom pets and family dynamics during this period, check out this blog post here. Resources like IVF Babble provide excellent information on related topics.
Conclusion
In summary, as families adapt to new responsibilities, the care of class pets has become an unexpected source of learning and connection, showing that emotional support can come from a variety of creatures.
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