R2560 LIVE ANIMALS IN SCHOOL

A.	Standards for Use

	1.	A teacher or other qualified adult supervisor must assume primary 				responsibility for the purposes and conditions of any study, activity, or 			performance that involves live animals in school.

	2.	Each study involving live animals will have as a clearly defined objective 			the teaching of some biological principle(s).

	3.	All animals used must be lawfully acquired in accordance with State and 			local laws, be healthy and free from transmissible diseases, and must 			have been vaccinated against rabies if susceptible.  Proof of vaccination 			must be provided to the principal or designee before the live animal is 			brought into the school building.

	4.	Animals may be handled only by the responsible adult supervisor and the 			pupil(s) directly involved in the study or performance.

	5.	Animals must be properly fed and provided with sanitary cage quarters.

	6.	When animals are kept on school grounds or in a school building over 			vacation periods, adequate housing must be provided and a qualified 			caretaker must be assigned the specific duties of care and feeding.

	7.	Teachers of pupils pursuing investigations at other than regular class 			periods while in school as part of a school assignment or project (such as 			a school science fair) will be bound by these regulations.

	8.	The Principal or designee must approve a live animal being brought into 			the school building and the use of any animal in a course of instruction or 			the establishment of an animal habitat in a classroom.

	9.	The Principal or designee will make a determination that no pupil in a 			class where the animal will be housed is allergic to the animal and would 			suffer an adverse reaction to the animal.  The principal or designee should 		also attempt to determine if any other pupil in the school building could 			suffer an adverse reaction.  If the Principal or designee determines that 			there is a pupil(s) who would suffer an adverse reaction, the Principal or 			designee shall deny approval to have the animal in the school.

B.	Injury to Persons

	The following steps will be followed in the event a pupil, staff member, or visitor to 	school is bitten or scratched by an animal in school.  The teaching staff member 		or adult supervisor in charge will:

	1.	Take immediate and prudent steps to prevent further injury;

	2.	Follow Regulation No. 8441 for the Care of Injured and Ill Persons; and

	3.	Capture and impound the animal, pending a determination of the Board of 			Health regarding any further action.

Date Issued:	January 18, 2010