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Two fifth grade classes adopt leopard
Fifth grade classes adopt leopard 
 
Students in April Youngs’ and Adrienne Clark’s fifth-grade classes were surprised with an adoption certificate for an amur leopard. 
 
Each year, the teachers like to give a gift to the students to show how much they care, and this year decided to give a gift that shows how the teachers value the students, but also one that will help make a difference for others. 
 
The amur leopard is at the Ross Park Zoo in Binghamton. Students in the classes were presented with their own copies of the adoption certificate, as well as a photo of the animal.
 
In ELA, students have learned about the rainforest and how many of the species that live there are endangered. In a letter sent home with the students, the teachers noted as humans, we need to make sure we are taking action to protect the environment and all the living things in it. 
Amur leopards traditionally live on the border of China and Russia and are critically endangered. The name of the leopard the classes adopted is Avanti.
 
By adopting Avanti, the money used will help get her food, health care, and will help maintain the environment where she lives so it resembles her natural habitat as much as possible.
 
Because Avanti can’t be in the classroom, Ross Park Zoo gave a stuffed amur leopard. Starting in January, students will be picked daily to keep on their desk during class.