Montrose Plans to Transform the Courtyard into A Zoo for Science Study

Montrose Plans to Transform the Courtyard into A Zoo for Science Study

Have you ever wished the Montrose courtyard was something… more? Of course, it’s charming enough, but a deck, a couple shrubs, and a few benches leave much to be desired. Fortunately for Montrosians with an eye for the wild side, certain plans for a complete renovation of the courtyard currently are being discussed by Mrs. Ginnetty, Acting Head of School for this semester.

“The administration and I were thinking that Montrose would benefit from turning the courtyard into a zoo,” Mrs. Ginnetty told Looking Glass reporters. “We believe a collection of exotic animals that Montrose could call its very own would increase school spirit and make Montrose stand out among other schools in the area.”

In addition to making Montrose even more unique than it already is, she continued, a courtyard zoo would offer opportunities for students in many capacities. One such opportunity would be the launch of a comprehensive ethology and zoology elective that would combine in-classroom studies with real-life observations. “Such a program would supplement a rigorous academic curriculum with a more hands-on approach: students could learn about the animals and actually observe their behavior without leaving the school. I think it’s a great idea,” Mrs. Hofer commented. “The science department as a whole is very excited about the possibilities,” she added.

While most of the faculty are on-board with this idea, Mrs. Ginnetty hinted that not everybody has fully agreed to carry out the plan; in fact, some do not even know about it at all. After much questioning, Mrs. Ginnetty finally admitted that Dr. Bohlin has no clue about any courtyard zoo project whatsoever. “This has been a personal dream of mine for quite some time, and I thought that, as our Head of School is absent for the spring semester, I might take the liberty to pursue putting the plan into action,” the Acting Head of School disclosed. “Of course, that isn’t to say she won’t approve. I’d rather think it would be a delightful surprise for Dr. Bohlin to be greeted by monkeys and goats when she returns!”

Exact ideas for the courtyard zoo are still in the works, and certain details still need discussion. For example, will there be animal enclosures, or will the zoo be a free-range area in which critters will be able to roam and mingle throughout the courtyard? If so, what would happen if an animal slipped into the building itself? Would Montrose students, as active stewardesses of their learning environment, be required to care for the animals as well? Many questions remain, although Mrs. Ginnetty is taking on these challenges with determined optimism, as always. She hopes that the student body and parents will be enthusiastic and supportive of this undertaking.