Adopted: 02/16/2009

383

School District of Prairie Farm

Animals in the School/ On School Grounds

The Prairie Farm School District believes in promoting and maintaining student safety at all times; because of this, most animals are not allowed in the school building(s) at any time.  Exceptions to this policy are as follows:

For Students who want to bring an animal into school:

1)  Permission is sought from the classroom teacher and administration is informed; in addition, the animal is small and kept in a cage or aquarium. (Examples:  fish, hamster, small snake, lizard, turtle, etc.)

2)  The only person to handle the animal is the legal guardian of the student and the student who is showing the animal to the class.

3)  The animal is immediately placed back in the cage when finished.

4)  There will be NO animals transported on school buses.

For Staff who want to keep an animal(s) at school for instructional purposes:

1)  The administration is notified.

2)  The animal(s) are kept in a cage and are handled directly by students only when absolutely necessary; in addition, the animal is small and kept in a cage or aquarium. (Examples:  fish, hamster, small snake, lizard, turtle, etc.)

3)  The cage(s) are cleaned on a regular basis utilizing universal precautions in the handling of blood, urine, and fecal material.

4)  Staff members are well versed in the proper care and handling of the animal(s) they keep.

5)  Staff members assume total responsibility for the animal(s) kept in his or her classroom.

For animals on school grounds:

1)  In general, animals are NOT allowed on school grounds during the school day or at school-sponsored activities unless:

Ø      The animal is a “service animal” e.g.: a seeing eye dog

Ø      School is not in session and there are no school sponsored events occurring

Ø      The owner/ handler has written permission from the District to have an animal on premises  (See Exhibit)