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HILLSBOROUGH: St. Ann’s students learn responsibility while taking care of animals

 Eleanor Maccia, seventh grade teacher at St. Ann School in Raritan, is never offended if someone calls her classroom a zoo. She knows it’s true, literally!
   She’s the science teacher for 4th-to-8th grade and her classroom integrates a full science lab, complete with lab tables, microscopes, beakers, microwaves — all the traditional gear for experiments.
   She also hosts seven guinea pigs, five hamsters, two gerbils and, until recently, a three-foot long green iguana named Squirt.
   They are all part of the 7th Grade Animal Care program in which students are fully responsible for all aspects of the animals’ care. Beyond feeding, cage cleaning and ensuring the animals get love and exercise, the students own important responsibilities like managing supplies and their “critter cash” budget.
   ”It’s about more than animal care skills,” said Ms. Maccia. “Our goal is to teach responsibility and time management through a hands-on activity. Everyone has a job. Their little charges and their fellow classmates depend on them. Mornings are busy with feedings and scheduled cage cleanings. But, the kids embrace the extra work and responsibility and I see the focus they develop which transcends their other subjects.”
   St. Ann School has been supported by a grant from the Petco Foundation for three years. The most recent grant included more than $500 in food and bedding products.
   St. Ann School will host a free Buddy Day on Friday, Feb. 17. Guest students will be paired with current students so they can experience the school in a peer-interactive environment. Contact the School Office at (908) 725-7787 to attend.