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If you haven’t reviewed your employee handbook lately—or haven’t yet written one—consider this your gentle nudge. In the Montessori world, we tend to take a compassionate view of the natural world. We teach children to observe living creatures with curiosity and care. That’s beautiful—and exactly what we want to nurture.
But every now and then, that curiosity extends a little too far… like when a well-meaning teacher picks up a “dead” rat on the playground, only to discover it was still very much alive.
Yes, it really happened.
Fortunately, the teacher was okay (after a trip to the doctor), but the incident prompted an important realization for the school leader: We need a clear policy about what to do when pests show up at school.
Because let’s face it—at some point, they will. Whether it’s a wasp nest in the outdoor classroom, a snake curled up in the garden, or a mouse making itself at home behind the snack cabinet, every Montessori campus eventually has an unexpected visitor.
And because Montessori teachers are a special kind of human—nurturing, unflappable, and almost unfailingly kind—we’re the folks most likely to say, “Aww… look at that little guy!” instead of backing away and calling for help.
That’s why your staff handbook should spell out a simple, clear, no-room-for-interpretation Pest Encounter Policy. Something that says: Don’t touch it. Keep children away. Notify administration immediately. Let trained professionals handle it. Document the incident.
Not only does this keep your team and your students safe, it also protects your school from liability. It shows you’ve prepared your staff, and you’re taking proactive steps to manage risks thoughtfully and responsibly.
If you don’t already have a pest policy in place—or if you’re not sure whether yours covers all the bases—now’s a good time to review it. And if you’re starting from scratch, you’re welcome to use or adapt this sample policy we just helped a client develop.
Click this link to download the sample Pest Encounter Policy
https://lnkd.in/eJP6bzP3
Feel free to customize it for your own school’s name and context.
As Montessori leaders, we model calm, capable responses to the unexpected. Having the right policies in place gives our team the confidence to do just that.
And if you do end up with a class pet rat? Well—just make sure it came from the pet store and not the playground,
