Critters Settle In at SBHS

In addition to the fish swimming blithely through their tanks in the office, other life forms have made their homes within the classrooms, adding a calming and intriguing aspect to the traditional classes.

Kelly Colburn, staff

According to rodalesorganiclife.com, spending time around animals can be beneficial to health. Having animals around reduces stress and makes an aggravating environment more enjoyable. Not only can this concept be applied to work and office environments but the classroom as well.

Some new, interesting critters have been arriving at SBHS. The newest of these are the Green Anoles in instructor Kristin Wheaton’s classroom. Over the years, Wheaton has had two fish tanks, many small snails, hermit crabs and numerous different plants in her classroom. Originally these lizards were brought in for science experiments, but they have become a school marvel that all students enjoy.

“They inspired me to get my own at home,” Carly Alisero (12) said. “I just like having pets. They help the classroom atmosphere to feel different than a traditional classroom. It makes it less of a school environment and more home like.”

Not only are science and agriculture classrooms allowed to have creatures to soothe their conditions but now, many other classrooms look for alternatives to relieve stress. Many of the classrooms have windows to shed outdoor light and bring in fresh air or have plants around the room to bring nature into such a harsh, man-made environment.

The office also has many of these aspects strewn about to make students feel less upset when they get called in or have to stop by for a visit. A betta fish on the front desk, plants on the desks of both the Pams, and a new member to the office, Bill the goldfish, are all meant to be there to reduce the stresses of office work.

“They help reduce the stress of going into the office. It lightens the feelings when going into such a stressful environment,” Connor Caneva (12) said.

All in all, big or small, with or without a heartbeat, both plants and pets help the school’s environment. Even the smallest cactus plant in a classroom can ease the vibe of pressing work and the stresses of having many people in the same space.