The Toronto District School Board's Rules about Animals in the Classroom

The TDSB has rules on having animals in the classroom. These rules are the STRUCTURE that we need to have in our class so that the animal is happy and that we are safe in our classroom. Here are the rules:

1. Animals such as turtles and birds should not be kept in the classroom because these animals easily get infections
2. The animal should not be let out of its cage in the classroom
3. All of the animal's waste and cage cleaning should be placed in a sealed plastic bag and thrown away
4. If the animal scratches or bites your skin, immediately clean the affected area and report it to the principal
5. Wash your hands throughly after touching the animal
6. Cats and dogs are not to be kept in schools but may be welcomed as occasional supervised visitors only after the Principal says it's okay

The following questions need to be answered before we can keep the animal in our classroom

• Do students or teachers have any allergies to this animal?
• Are there any students or teachers who are scared of this animal?
• Does this animal interfere with the student's religion?
• Are there appropriate cages for the animal?
• Do classroom teachers understand that it is their responsibility to clean and maintain the animal cage?