It's a Ferret Life

It's hard to tell whether the students or the two ferrets in Peter Plane's fourth- and fifth-grade class are happier to be back together. Two-legged and four-legged class residents were full of enthusiasm on Monday, all fairly wiggling with joy as they became reacquainted.

"Usually I don't want to come to school, but having the ferrets makes me want to be here. I was so excited about school today and I think I'll be excited to be at school every day that they are here," said Alex Lewis, a student in Plane's class.

Eager hands reached out to pet the gentle, domesticated weasels and the two little animals happily ran from child to child, one ferret inquisitive and full of energy, the other happy to be cradled like a baby. The ferrets, adopted from the Dane County Humane Society and part of Plane's classroom for the last three years, were removed from school at the end of the 2005 spring semester as a districtwide policy on animals on school premises came under review.

The ferrets, along with many other animals kept as classroom pets, have been allowed back at school, thanks to a decision by the Madison School Board last week permitting their return while the board clarifies the policy and procedures surrounding animals at school.

Students in Plane's class actively lobbied for the return of animals to the classroom, surveying students and writing letters to the School Board and the newspapers. Last Tuesday, 14 of Plane's students spoke at the School Board meeting, arguing passionately for the place their ferrets and other classroom animals have at school.

The students used lunch time, recess and other time outside of class to work on the project. They felt their hard work was rewarded by the School Board's vote.

"I was so nervous, my hands were shaking and I couldn't make eye contact when I gave my speech to the School Board," Kyla Brountie said. "But I really wanted to do it and I felt proud and happy after it was over."

"It made me feel really happy I could help change things for other kids in other schools with their class pets," classmate Lauren Johnson added.

About half the students in the class - the current fifth-graders - had experience last year with the ferrets, Cinda and Cody.

Eugene Ridley, a fourth-grader, said he was a little nervous about the ferrets before he met them.

"I was a little worried, because I didn't know about them," he said. "Now I feel real good about them coming in. They are kind of like babies. You have to treat them gentle and take good care of them so they will like you and be happy."

Plane, who has taught school for 30 years and has kept animals in his classroom for most of that time, said he has seen the benefits class pets bring to his students.

"It connects students with the natural world, and connects them with each other," he said. "It offers an opportunity for kids who can't have pets at home to have them at school. Students help care for the animals. ... We call it ferret duty and they take care of them before school and on the weekends. It teaches them responsibility as they make certain they have food and water, and attention.

"They wash their hands before they play with the ferrets, and afterward, so I think it also may encourage good hygiene," he laughed.

"This has been a really interesting civics lesson for them, as well. I'm very proud of them."

The draft policy, created by the Animals on School Premises Committee, would have effectively banned all animals except fish, harmless insects and some lizards from classrooms. The committee, which included administrators, health care professionals, parents and teachers, cited concerns about asthma and allergies. The draft policy was sent back to the committee for revisions by the unanimous vote of the School Board.