A second-grade student who thought it was Show and Tell Day brought a surprise to school, which brought smiles to the staff, yet also a lesson on animal safety.
Principal Sarah Polnitz’s office turned into a temporary kitten playground one day after she discovered not one, but two cats in a student’s backpack. Polnitz told Newsweek via email that the 7-year-old swore that day in school was “Show and Tell,” which allows students to bring an item from home to share and explain the significance with classmates.
In her October 28 Instagram video under the account @principalp_309, Polnitz wrote in the caption that, just when she thought she had seen it all while working with children, this happened. She slowly opened the student’s backpack to reveal the two felines, who poked their heads out with curiosity.
A classmate originally told the teacher, who thought they were being silly or playing a prank, but when another one said there was a cat, she sent the student to Polnitz’s office. The principal said the student did not say anything and instead handed her the backpack. The two felines caught her off guard, but it also became a “joyful moment.”
“She was sent back to class while the school staff took turns playing with, cuddling and holding the cats until mom came to get them,” Polnitz said. “Some staff members even joked they are filing a grievance because they didn’t get all the kitty cuddles they want and need.”
Every time Polnitz left the office, she returned to find new people inside playing with the young cats. Staff members kept coming to bring food, water and blankets. Some even suggested to Polnitz that the school should get therapy kittens for staff and students.
The student’s parents were in disbelief. They told Polnitz they had no idea their child sneaked the cats to school as they were both at work, but the mom came to get the kittens and her daughter as soon as she could.
This fun and surprising day became a lesson for students. Polnitz had a serious conversation about animal safety and not bringing live animals to school.
“Although we loved the cuddles, transporting kittens in backpacks is unsafe and can lead to very dirty backpacks as well,” Polnitz said.
Viewer Reactions
The Instagram video instantly became a hit, and as of Friday, the clip reached over 1.2 million views. Several users shared similar stories of the wild items they have seen students bring to school, which included birds, snakes, chickens and more felines.
“I mean, if I had two absolutely adorable kittens at home, yeah, I would brag,” posted a viewer.
Another added: “Two temporary office assistants.”
A third pointed out: “The backpack clearly said ‘Squishmallows’ and clearly those kittens are quite squishable, so it makes sense!”
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