what do you all think?

[lordkovacs]

As I said before, I am an elementary school teacher (grades 1 and 2) at a PRIVATE school in St.Catherines Ontario. My idea for hte past couple years was to bring my 2.5 year old male corn snake to the school as a pet. Of course I wouldn't let the kids take him out or anything, only I would do that. But, I thought the children could get a lot out of having a pet like that. I would certainly invite the children to watch me feed it now and then (they have already seen it...and I did it in a way as to not disturb the snake), and discuss things about hte snake such as where it comes from in the world, skin shedding, diet, health issues, and other stuff. I think it would be an excellent opportunity. I plan on keeping him there in my 25 gallon Long tank which is completely escape proof. And, it is high enough that the lid is out of reach from the small children. Has anyone tried this, or can you forsee any issues I should check into? Any advice would be helpful. Thanks all...you are all awesome!
MIKE

[Ed_r]

While I would be totally all for the idea. I try to get that in my kids school ,but it doesn't go over too well. Your right a cornsnake would be idea for the class, The only thing i can see is the feeding. You know some kids will be squeemish about it, tell their parents, and next thing you know your getting yelled at.

Again I'm all for the idea. Just being the devils advocate for a minute.

One suggestion is possibly to have a lizard instead of a snake. Like a Beardie, or Uro, or a leopard gecko/s. Kids are always into lizards too. Plus being insect and vegetarians, they would not be as offensive to the squeemish kids.

[lordkovacs]

thanks ed. only thing is, all the children have already seen it eat last year! haha... no complaints from parents yet. I just explained to them that that is what happpens in nature, and I invited those that were not interested in seeing to read a book for the time it takes. As for lizards, if I had the cash for a Uro. I would consider it, however the geckos are out cause keeping live prey items was ruled out as an option last year. Thanks for the support on this! take care,
MIKE

[Colonel SB]

I don't see a prob with it becasue you alow the kids who don't want to see it to do something else :)

[jncoclub]

You can possibly send a note home with the kids and get the parents feedback on it. Tell them that you want to do it for educational purposes and that you think it would be beneficial to the children, but at the same time you understand that there are varying opinions on the subject and that you wouldn't want to step over any boundaries. If the kids want to see it eat, then schedule that during recess or something where it would be a more 'optional' type setting.

[kevinp]

I think it's a great idea kids love our snakes.

[stkkts]

I see more of a problem with the catholic school approving it. Maybe they already have....but to me it sounds like a conflict of interest.

Here you have a snake, a wonderful animal, let learn all about how you shouldnt fear it, or misjudge it....oh, by the way, it might be the devil...

[lordkovacs]

it's not the catholic board...it's a private school... so no worries there! hey, i'm catholic and I like snakes! haha... thanks for the replies so far...any other advice?

[gonesnakee]

Hey Lord I have sold/given away a few snakes in the past for "school pets" & have never had any negative feedback. I think that it is important that it is addressed first to the school board, parents & of course the children to make sure that there is no conflicts of interest before you may have already offended. The last teacher I dealt with had OKed it at "work" & then sent home notes for parents that had to come back acknowledging that they had no issues with one at school with their children. People are pretty liberal nowadays so you should not have any problems unless you encounter some kind of "freak" LOL & the "parental slips" can work as a CYA in case someone has issues later. I will always give a good deal to teachers willing to "educate the masses" LOL
Mark I.

[lordkovacs]

hey, thanks for the kind words of encouragement. I will certainly check with the dean of my school (we don't have a "board" cause we are private...so it's up to us to govern ourselves). provided that is passed, I will certainly make the children's parents aware of my intention. thanks...
MIKE

[vanderkm]

A couple issues that come to mind are transmission of infections from reptiles to young children and liability for injuries caused by the snake. Salmonella organisms are often carried by healthy reptiles and can be transmitted to people - and even if the source of the bacteria is not the reptile, they have enough of a bad reputation to take the blame. In many instances severe infections in young children have been traced (through strain typing methods) to reptiles in their classroom or exposure to other animals. Especially a potential problem with immune function impaired children. Even when an animal looks clean it may have bacteria on the skin, so having children handle them is a risk - not only from the legal standpoint, but a concern about how you would feel if one of your students became seriously ill as a result of the contact.

The biting issue may be a low probability with a dependable cornsnake, but some risk is a part of handling even the best conditioned snakes and children have comparably thin skin - again may not be the actual physical damage, but the impact of a bite in re-inforcing fear. In doing displays we have found that even a sudden movement from a snake can frighten a child because they are startled by it.

One other thing to be aware of is the potential for a 'pooping incident'. My experience has been that kids are more put off by the risk of being pooped on that being bitten when handling snakes. When they want to put our snakes around their necks at a show, I remind them of that possibilty and have to be prepared to catch the snake as they drop it! We actually plan feedings so it is a remote possiblity, but works well to give the snake a break. The potential is still something to be considered, as kids won't have a change of clothes at school and colubrids can produce a substantial mess.

I do think hands on experience with a variety of species is good for children, so hope you are successful in working your plan out,

mary v.

[lordkovacs]

thanks mary! i appreciate the help. I thought about the possibility of disease, that's why I figured it safest to not allow any handling. I would handle the snake only. then, there is no risk...at least I hope! thanks again...
MIKE

[jay76]

There's still a risk if you don't wash your hands afterwards, children can get into anything :) maybe keep some if that alcohol based hand wash in your desk? If it kills salmonella, but I think it will because we were using it at the hospital I work security as a SARS precaution... strong enough for SARS good enough for salmonella? :)

A friend of mine did something like this with her bearded dragon when she was still learning to be a teacher. Took it in to show the kids as part of a planned curriculum she was being judged on and the kids loved it... more importantly she passed ;) Now she's writing a whole beardie module, it went over that well :)

It's a great idea. Wish my teachers did something like that when I was still in school... all *we* had was a *hamster* lol

[sapphire_moon]

That would have been great when I was in school. But no one taught us about it. All someone did was bring in a WC garter snake that all the boys teased, and was afraid to pick up because it was hissing and striking (Oh I wonder why! :rolleyes: ) The I shut them all up by properly picking it up (behind the head, support the body) gently, and placing it back down putting the lid on it, and walking out with the boys gawking at me like I had just sprouted wings....

Oh Yes I live in a very sheltered town/state. I was also in 7th grade. But if I had had a teacher teach the class about reps while I was younger it would have been WONDERFUL!

[lordkovacs]

I wrote a letter to all the parents and the dean of the school explaining my intentions. I gave basic corn snake info. ane explained how the children could interact with it. I also explained the tank the snake will be kept in, etc. Hopefully it goes over well. Thanks for the help!
MIKE

[sapphire_moon]

Goodluck!!!!!!!!!

[AymKing]

I think it's a wonderful idea, I come in contact with some teachers down here who have snakes in the classroom. A great learning experience. The more a child can learn about these animals I believe the less problems you have in the future, like when people who are afraid of all snakes kill everyone they see, simply because no one taught them that snakes are beneficial and important to the eco system, not to mention make excellent pet's. ;)