JeffNOK Posted March 9, 2012 Share Posted March 9, 2012 Well last week I took Gracie up to work with me after hours to get her used to my classroom without any distractions. Within ten minutes there was a loud rap on my door. I opened the door to discover two burly security guards who demanded, "Is there a BIRD in there!"(It was like I was smuggling heroin or something). I let the guards in and introduced them to Gracie who gave them a cordial greeting chirp. Without a beat one of the guards said "No animals in the building!". Now although I had permission from my boss to have Gracie at school, I hadn't thought to get permission from the office building where our school is housed. Evidently it is part of the lease agreement that animals are "verboten". So, alas Gracie will not be joining me at work. I'm bummed. I hate to leave Gracie at home while I work. I don't want her to be bored and alone. I am gone from 9-3 daily. I know that's not as bad as some schedules, but I still feel bad about it. I do come home at lunch for an hour sometimes, but it is rushed. I'm hoping to arrange my teaching schedule next session so I can take my off hour after lunch and have two hours for Gracie between classes. Do you think Gracie will be OK? When I'm home from 3 until bedtime Gracie is out and I am with her. We also have two hours together in the morning before I go to work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elvenking Posted March 9, 2012 Share Posted March 9, 2012 I would push beyond the security guards to see if this isn't just some blind-eyes view of the rules. I hate it when people hear a rule and interpret it to the letter regardless of context. Police and security are great at this. Try other avenues. Otherwise, that sucks. Our school used to have guinea pigs, snakes, lizards....all kinds of stuff. So go higher up the chain explain the situation and find out for sure. As a child, I would have loved being at school that much more if a bird was there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kins2321@yahoo.com Posted March 10, 2012 Share Posted March 10, 2012 I agree with Elvenking.... push it !As a teacher, I know you are imaginative. Do some research and show the board how having your bird there can help your kids learn beyond the textbook. Education, is not just learning about the world, English and Math. Its also about caring about other species on our planet. I know you can come up with something. "Whats the difference between a guinea pig or a bird?" Nancy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kins2321@yahoo.com Posted March 10, 2012 Share Posted March 10, 2012 JeffNOK If you can't get approval... I just want you to know, Gracie WILL be fine! Most of us don't get home until around 6pm on average. They do just fine. Granted, while cooking dinner, Sophie insists on being with me. I line up a ton of spoons for her to throw into the sink, so I can cook. It works, and she is happily entertained! Nancy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvparrots Posted March 10, 2012 Share Posted March 10, 2012 Gracie will be fine. I am retired and am home most of the time, my parrots do their own thing. They like alone time just like people do. So relax, see that Gracie has lots of food, water and toys maybe a radio on and all will be fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mistyparrot Posted March 10, 2012 Share Posted March 10, 2012 I am sure she will be just fine. Of course explain to her why you can't bring her with you. Give her plenty of homework to keep her occupied and perhaps the radio with some good music and intelligent chat. It is amazing what our parrots can understand! Steve n Misty Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mistyparrot Posted March 10, 2012 Share Posted March 10, 2012 ....I let the guards in and introduced them to Gracie who gave them a cordial greeting chirp. Without a beat one of the guards said "No animals in the building!". Were you tempted to say "So what are you doing here?";) Steve n Misty Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barbara2 Posted March 10, 2012 Share Posted March 10, 2012 I know everyone wants to support Gracie at work but schools have to operate in a sort of "zero tolerance" zone. If one child might be allergic to feathers, it's a no. If a child might be frightened by a bird, it's a no. I'm sad because I've been there, done that. I took my Hahn's Macaw to school and it wasn't a problem but I didn't do it again because the students didn't understand and frightened my bird. From a school standpoint if they had come in and seen the cage in my room, it might have been an issue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pikachu Posted March 10, 2012 Share Posted March 10, 2012 Maybe she could be your "therapy bird"? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danmcq Posted March 10, 2012 Share Posted March 10, 2012 LOL Steve! Sorry to hear Gracie is not able to accompany you to school. But, as others have said, Gracie will be fine. Just keep plenty of toy's and foraging items to keep her busy and happy while your gone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
judygram Posted March 10, 2012 Share Posted March 10, 2012 I am sorry this has not worked out for you to take Gracie with you to work but the others have given valid points that in today's world we have to live with but she will be fine if you leave enough toys to occupy her mind and a radio on for company, be sure to include foraging opportunities to keep her busy. I work full time and am gone for nearly 9 hours a day during the week as is a lot of us who are not retirement age, close but not quite. I have taken my birds to work occasionally but its a small office so few people. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kins2321@yahoo.com Posted March 11, 2012 Share Posted March 11, 2012 JeffNOk.... If you come home, and Gracie has been left alone, try greeting her with " I;m home! Where are you?"She will be happy and waiting. NEVER come home, saying " are you okay?" I'm so sorry I have been gone so long! It truly makes a difference, if you let " guilt", become a dialogue. Nancy 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Bachi Posted March 11, 2012 Share Posted March 11, 2012 So sorry it didn't work out for you, but hey at least you had a 1% possibility of it actually working...........The glass is always full: half water half gas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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