NEPN/NSBA Code: IMG 

ANIMALS IN SCHOOL 

The School Committee recognizes that having animals in schools can offer valuable student learning experiences but is also concerned with the health and safety of students, staff, and visitors and the humane treatment of animals when they are brought to school For the purpose of this policy “animals” includes mammals, reptiles, amphibians, birds, insects, and fish.

The presence of live animals in the classroom must be directly related to the objectives of the instructional program. Permission must be obtained from the building principal before any animal is brought into the school by a teacher, student, or any other person.

The following guidelines shall apply to the presence of animals in Lewiston Public Schools’ schools:

A. The presence of an animal in the classroom must be directly related to the instructional program. Staff who wish to have animals in the classroom must submit a written request to the principal; the request should include the instructional purpose and activity, the type of animal, the length of time the animal is expected to be present, and a plan for the care of the animal. The principal, at their discretion, may approve or deny the request. 

B. Students or parents who wish to bring animals to school for educational purposes must consult with the teacher who, in turn, will request permission from the building principal. All others persons who wish to bring animals to school must obtain written permission, in advance, from the building principal.

C. The Superintendent will be responsible for developing procedures to inform parents that animals may be visiting or residing in classrooms during the school year. Parents are expected to notify the school if their child has an allergy or other health conditions that will be affected by the presence of animals in the classroom.

D. Animals may not be transported on school buses or vehicles except for service animals.

E. No domestic mammals/pets (including dogs, cats, ferrets, and primates) or livestock will be allowed in schools unless current proof of rabies and/or other vaccinations is provided. Smaller mammals such as mice, hamsters, gerbils, guinea pigs, and rabbits do not need to be vaccinated against rabies. Bats, as they may be carriers of rabies, are not allowed in the schools.

Parrots, parakeets, and other psittacine birds (birds that may carry psittacosis, a severe infectious human respiratory disease) shall not be brought to school unless they have been tested and certified as psittacosis-free.

Red-eared turtles (also known as painted turtles) are carriers of salmonella and shall not be kept in classroom without written documentation from the supplier that they are salmonella-free.

F.  No wild, exotic, agressive or poisonous animals will be allowed in school unless under the control of an individual trained in the care and management of the animal and properly licensed by state or federal agencies as appropriate (i.e., zookeepers, veterinarians, biologists, Maine Fish and Wildlife personnel). Students should not be permitted to handle such animals. 

G. No animals will be allowed free range of the classroom or the school. All animals brought to school must be restrained by the owner/handler. The teacher is responsible for the proper supervision and control of students whenever there is an exhibit or activity involving animals in school. 

H. If a student is bitten/injured by an animal on school premises, the principal/designee, school nurse/physician, and parent/guardian must be notified as soon as possible. If a staff member or visitor is bitten/injured, the principal/designee must be notified. The principal/designee must notify appropriate public health authorities and the Maine Department of Health and Human Services Center for Disease Control of each incident. An accident/injury report must also be completed and forwarded to the Superintendent.

I. If a stray or wild animal appears on school grounds, children shall not be allowed in the area until the animal has left the premises or is removed by the local animal control officer, game warden, or other appropriate official. 

J. Animals kept in classrooms must be housed in suitable cages or containers and fed and otherwise cared for appropriately. Only the teacher or students designated or supervised by the teacher may be allowed to handle these animals. Animal waste must be removed on an as-needed basis and in a sanitary manner. Only staff members or adult volunteers will be allowed to clean cages or containers or remove animal waste. If animals are to be kept in the classroom on days when classes are not in session, arrangements must be made for their adequate care at all times. 

K. The School Committee recognizes that service animals may be used to assist persons with disabilities. This policy does not apply to the presence of service animals that have been or are being specifically trained for the purpose of assisting a person with a disability 

L. No animal may be used as part of a scientific experiment or for any other purpose in which the normal health of the animal is interfered with or where pain or distress is caused. No person may practice vivisection or exhibit a vivisected animal in the schools. Dissection of dead animals shall be confined to the classroom and to the presence of students engaged in the study of dissection and shall not be for the purpose of exhibition. 

Legal Reference: 7 MRSA §3971 

22 MRSA §§801-825 

Cross Reference: EBB -Accident Reports

IMGA -Service Animals in the Schools 

JLCE – First Aid and Emergency Medical Care JLCE-R – First Aid procedures 

Adopted: August 28, 2006 

Reviewed: September 10, 2012 

Revised: May 13, 2024