Pineville Elementary
Pineville

2010

2009

A Reflexion from Pineville Elementary's Trout Release...

I've made it a practice, since I've become a father, to reflect on any significant occurrences in the form of a journal, so that I have my thoughts recorded for the occasional revisit. I wanted to share this with you and express my appreciation on behalf of myself, my school community, and especially, my students. Feel free to post any excerpts, or the article in its entirety, to the blog. From a somewhat inexperienced teacher, with his first encounter with TIC, here is my reflection:

I've heard an adage that quips: "It takes a village to raise a child." With that statement in mind, it has taken a community and several state agencies to raise Rainbow Trout and ensure the success of our Trout in the Classroom project.

In November, we received an exciting delivery of nearly 300 "eyed eggs," which looked like tiny orange marbles, about the size of BB's, with two dark dots, peering through the translucent shell. Within two weeks, the eggs hatched, and the tiny, awkwardly moving Alevin began their journey that would soon lead them into our very own Clear Creek stream. 

With transparent bodies, they received nourishment from a yolk sad, attached to their underbellies. As the amount of yolk decreased, the Alevin became much stronger, and braver as well. They ventured out of the hatching basket, and into an artificial habitat, in the form of a 55 gallon tank, that would serve as their home for the next six months.

Little did they know, they would have a great impact on an entire school community, encompassing grade levels, rekindling the desire to learn for both old and young. Nor, did they seem to mind the many amazed and intrigued stares that ere now redirected at them.

The Fry, as they were now known, required a great deal of care. The parameters of the water had to be checked and documented daily. Water changes of about 20% were scheduled for 3 times a week, a "biofilter" of bacteria cultures had to be maintained, and then there was the feeding of 2-3 times daily, on weekends, as well as holidays. Appetites, as we all know, do not take breaks.

Within the confines of the tank, our Rainbow Trout grew into fingerlings, which are nearly 4 inches in length. All the while, the students were conducting their tests, daily duties, and delving deeper into their studies, seeking understanding of the ways of this color-flecked, spectrum wearing creature.

And then the day arrived for our "class pets" to be introduced into a natural habitat. Many preparations had been made to ensure it was a success. Advice was sought from program directors and fisheries experts. The site was scouted and permissions were obtained. Extension agents were notified and community members, parents and school officials were invited. Check lists were nearly complete.

I awoke early on that late April morning, filled with anticipation, and an agenda of suring up some last minute details. I went about my usual morning routine with a bit more enthusiasm and walked out the door mentally preparing myself for the day's events. I'm unsure how many steps I took towards my car before my mind registered the reverberating pitter-patter against the tin of the carport, the reflection of light from the blacktop, the damp feeling in the air that my hair hates, or that mountainous smell of renewal we take for granted in our beautiful hills. "No time to be pessimistic," I told myself. "Let's do this." I soon found this was the attitude that was echoed by my students. The hardest of rains stands no chance at deterring the positivity of a determined child.

After some time, we were giving thanks to the cool waters of the stream for rinsing away the memory of the hot sun from the surface of our skin. We explored and discovered, turned over and snagged in our nets many larvae, flies, bi-valves, and crawfish. We measured the pH and the amount of oxygen in the stream, which received a rating of "excellent." Indeed, our fish would have a fine home, which, to them, may be likened to the Garden of Eden.

And just as abruptly and exciting as it had all began, the trout were placed into their new habitats, shimmering ghosts suspended in the rippling current. "Now you see them; now you don't. Is that one? No, I lost it." And as the experience came to a close, we sat under the sun, on a nearby bank, listening the the gurgling water trickle and wash across the countless sandstones, recalling and sharing stories of the day's excitement, all over a PB & J sack lunch, truly appreciating that we were fortunate enough to take part in such a fun-filled learning experience.