Guest Blog: Everest the Buffalo
Greetings, friends!
My name is Everest. I am a buffalo who lives at Shelby Farms Park, and I was lucky enough this past spring to become an adopted member of the family at St. Ann Catholic School in Bartlett through the Shelby Farms Park Conservancy's Adopt-a-Buffalo program. Three second grade classes there got together to become my adoptive parents, and I could not be happier to have become a part of their community. Plus, it's great to know that there's someone taking care of me out there, thinking about the future well-being of my herdmates and me.
I actually got the chance to visit the homes of each of my new family members! Each day after school, I went home with one of the second graders and got to live life as a human child. It was quite the experience! In fact, I kept a diary of all my goings-on, and I'm hoof tapping this keyboard today to introduce you to my brand new guest column, in which I will be telling the stories of my adventures with St. Ann's second graders. I had a great time with each and every one of these kind children who, along with their families, invited me into their homes and their lives. Here is the first of those stories.
Today I went home with Kaitlyn. We did our homework, and Kaitlyn's dad reviewed Kaitlyn's homework, then we ate dinner. For dinner we had Gus's fried chicken. It was yummy! Then we went home and took a bath and stayed up 'til nine! Then we went to sleep, then we woke up. For breakfast we had cereal and fruit, then we put on our clothes, brushed our hair, brushed our teeth and went to school.
Hope you enjoyed that story. I know I had a great time visiting with Kaitlyn. I look forward to blogging for you again. And be sure to look into how you can adopt one of my fellow buffalo friends here at the park. Until then,
Your favorite buffalo,
Everest
As part of the Adopt-a-Buffalo program, each adopting family receives an official Shelby Farms Park toy buffalo. Of course, Everest was not able to be taken home from the Park. Each night, the toy buffalo was taken home by a member of the second grade classes at St. Ann, and each child was asked to write a journal entry about his or her time with "Everest". These journal entries will be shared here over the coming summer months. To learn more about the Adopt-a-Buffalo program and how you can get involved, cilck here!
Dear Jen, Thank you so
Dear Jen,
Thank you so much for showing our students' stories about Everest. I recommend this activity to all schools for the Science, Social Studies and English curriculum.
I became a buffalo fan while vacationing in Yellowstone National Park. Earlier this year the Commercial Appeal ran an article about the Adopt a Buffalo program at Shelby Farms. My fellow teachers Mrs. Thompson and Mrs. LIndsey became just as excited as I was about involving our students in this community project. In the school hall we kept a record of how much money was brought in each day. When we broke the $100 amount needed, the children all cheered! Pictures were taken at the school and at Shelby Farms when the teachers presented the check to the "buffalo mascot". As Mrs. Thompson mentioned there is now a special spot in our hall for Everest pictures and certificate. Mrs.Thompson, who has to always help me with computer matters, took the time to download a picture of Everest for our parents to see on the homework web site.
The children were very excited about "taking home Everest" and telling about his time with each one of them. I am sure when they think back about second grade, this will be a wonderful memory!
Everest the Buffalo
Everest holds a special place in the heart of each and every second grader at St. Ann School in Bartlett, TN. The children worked hard to earn the money for Everest's adoption, and the adoption certificate is hanging in the school's 2nd grade hallway. Taking "Everest" home was a special treat for every child. Everest got to see, do, and experience all sorts of things unique to these children and their families. The highlight of the entire experience was a trip to Shelby Farms where all of the St. Ann teachers and students that contributed to Everest's adoption were able to visit Everest and the rest of his herd. Thank you, Shelby Farms, for allowing our school the pleasure of this memorable learning experience.
Post new comment