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Posted: 13-03-2002 00:45 Post subject: Classroom Craziness

http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/education/newsid_1854000/1854261.stm

A teacher's plan to feed puppies to a snake in a science lesson has been halted after pupils became upset.

Matthew Patton keeps two boa constrictors in his classroom at Bluestem High School, near Wichita, Kansas.

And in science lessons he has shown the pupils how the snakes can devour rats.

But when a school board member gave the teacher three puppies from a local animal shelter, he planned to feed these to the snakes.

The unwanted puppies were destined to be put down, but the school board member had decided to give them to the teacher as snake food on the grounds that he "hates to see any life wasted".

But the plan sparked complaints from parents and tears from children, who were unhappy at the prospect of watching the snakes eating the puppies.

In response Mr Patton agreed to scrap the planned lesson - and is not expected to face any disciplinary actions as a result.

Head teacher Dale Harper commented that "very few people have a problem with seeing a rat go" but he acknowledged "the sensitivity of some people when it involved what's considered a pet".

"When you have soft, cuddly puppies there are people who get real concerned," said Mr Harper.

There are now plans to find homes for the three puppies.

Posted: 13-03-2002 00:57 Post subject:

This sounds like an UL, but who knows, we hear some strange stories from the land of the free.

Posted: 13-03-2002 02:18 Post subject:

Has this guy never heard of nature programmes? Or 'When Pets Go Bad'?! Wink

I resent the treatment rats get. I have had many as pets. They're intelligent, cheeky (!lol), and affectionate.

Posted: 13-03-2002 05:22 Post subject:

Posted: 13-03-2002 11:36 Post subject:

I think the free part was meant ironically. If you're ever around europeans, mention America is the land of the free and watch how they start snickering.

This is a great chance to teach those children not to be so queasy. Educate them on that pets are animals, no matter how cuddly they are.

Posted: 13-03-2002 15:43 Post subject:

ISTR a story about an American family who had two pet turkeys.

One was called 'Thanksgiving', the other 'Christmas'........

Posted: 13-03-2002 18:51 Post subject:

Dont do this to me!... i just lap up stories that renforce my very low opinion of teachers.........im trying to change honestly!

Posted: 13-03-2002 23:45 Post subject:

Posted: 13-03-2002 23:56 Post subject:

Oh come on sidecar-jon! Most of us teachers are evil incarnate but,
given the choice, how many of us would feed a blameless puppy to a snake
if a pupil was readily to hand? Clearly it's a Kansas thing. :p

Posted: 14-03-2002 06:11 Post subject: Teach takes Ozzie fetish too far

http://www.channel4000.com/sh/news/stories/nat-news-130131320020313-090304.html

Bird-Biting Teacher Returns To Class

AVON, Ind. -- The Avon High School teacher who was suspended after biting the head off a live sparrow has returned to school.

Aron Bright returned Tuesday to the school where he teaches history and geography and is a wrestling coach. He received a warm welcome from colleagues and students, who greeted him with a signed petition demanding that he not be fired for the act.

Bright admitted to biting the head off the sparrow on Dec. 28 at his parents' home in Centerville. The act occurred while he and some assistant coaches, plus 15 varsity wrestlers, were attending a two-day wrestling meet.

Bright since has expressed regret and apologized.

He was suspended by the Avon school board Feb. 25 for two weeks without pay.

Animal rights activists and Avon parents' groups are demanding that he be fired and will present their petition to the school board later this month.

Bright also was suspended from his position as a Cloverdale reserve police officer. The length of that suspension has not been determined.

Posted: 14-03-2002 08:54 Post subject:

Useful safety valve for teachers, I'd say!

It probably prevented him tearing the head off some bolshie student (which, as a wrestling coach, I assume he could well have done..)

Posted: 14-03-2002 11:43 Post subject:

A teacher! A teacher! Head for the hills!

I hated school.

Posted: 14-03-2002 22:30 Post subject:

Just don't leave them unattended on any carpet Carole (When they decide to play 'catch me' behind a wardrobe, ect.) - unless you want to try and convince visitors that holey, patchy, carpets are the new in thing! Wink

Good luck with him/her though, they do make lovely pets. Smile

My mum had a pet chicken when she was little, called Mummy cluck cluck, lol! My nan had a pet monkey..... Yes, we all seem to go for the conventional! Wink

Posted: 15-03-2002 21:01 Post subject:

Posted: 15-03-2002 21:12 Post subject:

I get queasy thinking about a snake eating ANYTHING but the fact is, they will eat any mammal they can get their jaws around in the wild so the teacher wasn't doing anything extraordinary. Also, these were high school students, not 8 yr olds for gods sakes.
Build a bridge and get over it!