Courtroom Splash: The Goldfish Decision

A school of fish is known for staying together. 

But at the Wendell Smith Elementary School on Chicago’s far South Side, a goldfish named Pepper was driving the principal and his students apart.

Pepper had been living in Mrs. Jackson’s classroom from March until June, but when school let out for the summer, Pepper was left living in a fish bowl, and nobody was watching until Principal Turan Crockett took note and came to Pepper’s rescue. 

The principal took Pepper to his office and claimed custody of the fish.

But when students returned to school in early September, they were upset about Pepper’s new home and demanded the return of Pepper to them in their classroom.

When Principal Crockett refused to give Pepper back, Mrs. Jackson’s students took the principal to court.

Physical Education teacher Damon Taylor acted as the judge, and the eighth grade Student Council acted as the jury.

After lengthy deliberation, the jury ruled that Pepper should be returned to Mrs. Jackson’s classroom immediately.

During the process, the Wendell Smith Elementary students learned the components of a court proceeding and the language of the law.

They also learned how the the legal system can be used to resolve disagreements without violence.

Even Principal Crockett feels that justice prevailed and that his students were hooked on the experience.

As for Pepper the fish, this definitely has been his favorite school!