Our students recently had an unforgettable and exciting learning experience thanks to our PTO, who sponsored a special assembly with Jillian from WildLife Encounters. This hands-on presentation brought science to life as students met a variety of fascinating animals from around the world while learning about habitats, adaptations, and conservation.
From the moment the program began, the gym was filled with curiosity and excitement. Students were able to see animals up close, ask questions, and discover amazing facts about wildlife that they will remember for years to come.
One of the first animals students met was Mocha the kinkajou, sometimes nicknamed a “honey bear.” Although it looks a bit like a monkey, it is actually related to raccoons. Students were amazed to learn that kinkajous use their long tongues to eat fruit and nectar and have strong tails that help them balance as they climb through the trees at night.
Next, Jillian introduced Snickers the Boa Constrictor. Students learned that boa constrictors are non-venomous snakes that squeeze their prey rather than using venom. Many were surprised to discover that snakes play an important role in ecosystems by helping control rodent populations. While many of our brave students eagerly volunteered to hold the snake and even chose to be surprised by which animal would come out next, Mr. G, quickly scooted away from the aisle and made it very clear he did not want to hold or touch the snake!
Another crowd favorite was Ella the Cockatoo. Ella is 20 years old and can live up to 70 years or more! Even before she made her grand entrance, Ella was showing off her big personality. Jillian shared that Ella was “chatting” the entire time backstage, letting everyone know she was ready for the spotlight. It quickly became clear that Ella loves to be the center of attention! Students enjoyed watching her interact and learned that cockatoos are highly intelligent birds that need lots of enrichment and social interaction. Some birds can even learn words and communicate with their owners.
Students also met Popcorn the three-banded armadillo, a unique animal that can roll into a tight ball for protection. This special adaptation helps keep it safe from predators. The armadillo’s strong armor and digging skills help it find insects and survive in a variety of environments.
One of the most thrilling moments of the assembly was meeting Darth Gator, the American alligator. Students learned that alligators can go through up to 3,000 teeth in a lifetime and usually have around 70–80 teeth at any given time. They also discovered that alligators have a special third eyelid, called a nictitating membrane, which acts like built-in goggles to protect their eyes while swimming.
To wrap up the assembly, Jillian introduced Chandler the male red kangaroo, the largest species of kangaroo. Students were amazed to learn that baby kangaroos, called joeys, are only about the size of a jellybean when they are born. Males do not have pouches, but females do! Red kangaroos can run up to 40 miles per hour, weigh up to 200 pounds, and use their powerful legs for jumping and even “kickboxing” when defending themselves.
We were especially proud of our students throughout both assemblies. Even though they were incredibly excited, they demonstrated outstanding behavior, listening carefully and being respectful so they would not scare or stress the animals. Their kindness and self-control truly showed. As a special treat, each student even had the opportunity to pet Chandler as they exited the auditorium, making the experience even more memorable.
This engaging and interactive program not only sparked excitement but also encouraged students to think about caring for animals and protecting the natural world. We are incredibly thankful to our PTO for providing such a meaningful and memorable opportunity. Programs like this help bring classroom learning to life and inspire curiosity about science, nature, and wildlife.
Thank you, PTO, for helping create another amazing day of learning at our school!
