The students of Level Green Elementary School were delighted to meet Sheldon, a 22-year-old tortoise, on January 10. Sheldon was accompanied by a python, a ferret, a parrot, a gecko, and a chameleon at an assembly for students in kindergarten through grade 5.
Michelle Walterhouse, the school’s PTO president, made arrangements with Petland Norwin to bring in the animals and share lots of interesting facts. While store owner Kurt Karcher spoke to the student body, Sheldon roamed around the school auditorium to the delight of the students.
“As a PTO, we are always looking for new ways to engage and educate the students while having fun. Seeing the look on the students' faces (and many of the teachers) makes all the hard work, planning, fundraising, and hours worth it!,” commented Walterhouse. “The students got to ask many great questions and learn lots of fun facts. We look forward to possibly having them back next year and learning even more!”
Sheldon the tortoise roams the auditorium during the assembly
4th-grader Fiona Wassel joins Petland’s Taylor and Kurt to hold the giant python for the audience to see
Petland’s Taylor gives the students a closer-up look at the guinea pig
Sadie Walterhouse strokes the parrot’s feathers as Kelsey Visco observes