Koi Pond Educates, Entertains At Whitko
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
LARWILL - Excitement and energy levels are high among staff and students at Whitko Middle School.
A new attraction has been added to the school. Together, staff and students completed a 1,500-gallon Japanese Koi Pond in the foyer outside the media center.
Project director Tony Phillips said many students find it hard not to stop and admire the pond as they walk to class.
"We felt like this room needed something," Phillips said. Phillips is also a science teacher at the school.
Koi, originally a Japanese cultural concept, are a cross between common carp and goldfish. Through years of cross-breeding, many colors and special traits have been developed. In essence, a Koi is a very beautiful and colorful carp.
Phillips said many clubs and individuals around the world collect the fish and enter them in Koi shows. Championship Koi can be valued into tens of thousands of dollars and can live up to 100 years and grow to 30 inches long. Each Koi also will grow into more intensive color as they get older.
Students and staff raised money to buy the Koi and their feed. Each classroom raised a minimum of $10 to cover the cost of one Koi.
Students then named each fish with names ranging from Snoopy, Blinky and Inches to Sushi, Mushi, Hooti, Bubbles and Bob.
Phillips said students also helped clean gravel from outside for the pond, assemble the cabinets and place the lining.
"They've been involved in every step," Phillips said of the students.
The pond is up and running with the fish adjusting to the new environment, he said.
"The students and staff are enjoying the new addition and everyone is learning something new," Phillips said. "It's become a good area for them [students]."
He also said students read by the pond and faculty members often eat lunch there.
Rules are posted to ensure safety and preserve the pond and Koi. The rules instruct observers not to throw anything into the pond, not to put their hands in the water and not to scare the Koi.
There have been no discipline problems, Phillips said. "They've [students] responded well."
Science and social studies classes will use the Asian culture exhibit, and classes doing reading assignments can enjoy the tranquil setting.
Phillips said the Koi Pond is discussed in the students' science and social studies textbooks and will benefit both classes.
"Through generous donations our school has something very nice that we can be proud of," Phillips said.
In the future, students will make Japanese lanterns and prayer sticks. The Koi Pond will also be used to re-enact Japanese rituals.
The Koi Pond was made possible with donations of money, materials and services from several different sources.
Jerry and Rhonda Grube of J.G. Cabinet and Counter donated the cabinet materials for the pond. The cabinet is finished with black marble formica.
A grant from the Whitley County HANDS Foundation helped fund the purchase of a rubber liner holding the water and two pumps running the filtration and fountain in the pond.
All the supplies for the pond and its maintenance were purchased with help from Janet Zimmer of Paws and Claws Pet Store in Warsaw.
The Koi came from Brett Rowley's Fish Farm in Liverpool, Texas. Rowley sent the school 20 Koi, each representing a different breed.
The next project for Whitko Middle School students and staff is creating a Shintu Garden.
"We're writing grants for that right now," Phillips said.
With the upcoming projects, excitement and energy levels can be expected to remain high among staff and students at Whitko Middle School. [[In-content Ad]]
LARWILL - Excitement and energy levels are high among staff and students at Whitko Middle School.
A new attraction has been added to the school. Together, staff and students completed a 1,500-gallon Japanese Koi Pond in the foyer outside the media center.
Project director Tony Phillips said many students find it hard not to stop and admire the pond as they walk to class.
"We felt like this room needed something," Phillips said. Phillips is also a science teacher at the school.
Koi, originally a Japanese cultural concept, are a cross between common carp and goldfish. Through years of cross-breeding, many colors and special traits have been developed. In essence, a Koi is a very beautiful and colorful carp.
Phillips said many clubs and individuals around the world collect the fish and enter them in Koi shows. Championship Koi can be valued into tens of thousands of dollars and can live up to 100 years and grow to 30 inches long. Each Koi also will grow into more intensive color as they get older.
Students and staff raised money to buy the Koi and their feed. Each classroom raised a minimum of $10 to cover the cost of one Koi.
Students then named each fish with names ranging from Snoopy, Blinky and Inches to Sushi, Mushi, Hooti, Bubbles and Bob.
Phillips said students also helped clean gravel from outside for the pond, assemble the cabinets and place the lining.
"They've been involved in every step," Phillips said of the students.
The pond is up and running with the fish adjusting to the new environment, he said.
"The students and staff are enjoying the new addition and everyone is learning something new," Phillips said. "It's become a good area for them [students]."
He also said students read by the pond and faculty members often eat lunch there.
Rules are posted to ensure safety and preserve the pond and Koi. The rules instruct observers not to throw anything into the pond, not to put their hands in the water and not to scare the Koi.
There have been no discipline problems, Phillips said. "They've [students] responded well."
Science and social studies classes will use the Asian culture exhibit, and classes doing reading assignments can enjoy the tranquil setting.
Phillips said the Koi Pond is discussed in the students' science and social studies textbooks and will benefit both classes.
"Through generous donations our school has something very nice that we can be proud of," Phillips said.
In the future, students will make Japanese lanterns and prayer sticks. The Koi Pond will also be used to re-enact Japanese rituals.
The Koi Pond was made possible with donations of money, materials and services from several different sources.
Jerry and Rhonda Grube of J.G. Cabinet and Counter donated the cabinet materials for the pond. The cabinet is finished with black marble formica.
A grant from the Whitley County HANDS Foundation helped fund the purchase of a rubber liner holding the water and two pumps running the filtration and fountain in the pond.
All the supplies for the pond and its maintenance were purchased with help from Janet Zimmer of Paws and Claws Pet Store in Warsaw.
The Koi came from Brett Rowley's Fish Farm in Liverpool, Texas. Rowley sent the school 20 Koi, each representing a different breed.
The next project for Whitko Middle School students and staff is creating a Shintu Garden.
"We're writing grants for that right now," Phillips said.
With the upcoming projects, excitement and energy levels can be expected to remain high among staff and students at Whitko Middle School. [[In-content Ad]]