What would you do if your son's third grade class activities for Pioneer Day included 22 dried cow patties?

Question

I am concerned about the health issues of 22 young children and 22 pieces of cow pooh.

Answer 1

You are speaking of my home town. So I am not surprised at all.

Im glad my kids are going to school in Austin!

I dont know what to tell you though. Im sure our class did it, there in that same town, but back then parents werent as concerned.

Answer 2

what the H*** ok i may just be in high school and this is just me ok i have seen cow pooh eww ok and it really stinks go complane to the principal or something and ask her to take them to a farm or something better then that or even better melt a bunch of chocolate the school is crazy to do that

Answer 3

That is too funny.  I am sure they are not harmful or else the health department would not allow this to happen.  I say enjoy the project and have fun watching the kids learn.

Answer 4

I agree with another person. I would need to know the details of what the children would be doing with the dried cow patties. Are they using them in science centers for example, dissecting the materials for example? I hope they would not be using them to play "toss the patty" or something like that. Then I would definitely have to say, leave them at Pioneer Day.

Answer 5

Hmm, seems like the school would be scared of getting sued if the kids get sick.

As for 'it's none of the mothers business' , so much for the 'parents are not involved in students education' c**p that teachers  shout all the time.

I would be talking to the school board members about all of this.

Answer 6

You can buy this sort of thing through educational catalogs.  Usually it's owl pellets, but whatever - this fits with the theme.  There are lots of educational activities to do with this.  Go assist the teacher that day if you are worried.  The teacher probably had to go through a lot of red tape to get an expensive such as this for the students.

Edit - Just remember that kids, like adults, don't always have an accurate memory of what occurred.  The whole story just seems fishy to me.

Answer 7

Either inquire of the teacher what is planned with the materials or ask your child what he learned.

Answer 8

what exactly are they planning on doing with them?

Answer 9

I'm sure the teacher will have them wash their hands afterwards. By the way, you don't have to worry about them getting diseases  from dried p**p. It's been sitting out long enough to kill all the germs. They are more likely to get a disease from the door handles they have to touch to go outside to throw the cow patties. As for her remarks, children aren't the most reliable sources of information. If I listen to everything my students tell me about what is happening at home I would be reporting a lot of innocent parents to the authorities.

Answer 10

I have done this for 20 years......just when I thought I heard them all!!!! I want to know what happens with this.  Somebody is crazy or they have some real creative ideas that could be incredible!!!....I want to know what happens please. If you cant respond.....you had me at 22 pieces of cow pooh!!

Answer 11

Nothing wrong with cow p**p... long as it isn't fresh.  When it's dried, it is little more than dried grass.  

If it is "freshly squoze"... that's an entirely different matter.

Answer 12

If it is "cookies" then why did the teacher tell the other kid, "Your mother asked mean questions." THAT in itself is out of line. The teacher has no right to judge the parent like that to try and get the kid to doubt their own mother.

There are lots of stuff we USED to do that we just can't do anymore in schools! There are no more diving boards in pools, merry-go-rounds, certain slides and swings, no more hamsters, bugs, tarantulas, mice, gerbils, homemade food and peanut oil allowed in public schools.

Do I agree? No, do I comply? YES. I would say real cow pies need to be added to the list. Besides it is in poor taste.

With kids who can't read, spell and still counting on their fingers in Jr. H.S. who has time to toss cow pies?!

Answer 13

Kids got less diseases in the "olden days" because they were exposed to all sorts of natural things. Now our children are practically sterilized from normal bugs, which is why they get sick. Of course, our animals are also being "cleaned" with unnatural antibiotics, so they may not have anything harmful. But I think dried cow patties are pretty okay, unless the poor sheltered kids haven't had time to play in the dirt before and will be more at risk to catching something nasty.

Answer 14

Are you sure they are real cow patties??  My mom used to make us no-bake cookies and they were called cow patties.  I bet the teacher is making these cookies and is telling the kids there will be "cow patties" ???  Just a guess and I hope I am right. Or maybe they are dissecting cow p**p to see what the cows eat??  CRAZY!!

Answer 15

WHAT??  Are they going to be throwing them or touching them at all?  What a weird idea for 3rd graders. I guess I don't think much of the idea at all!