As many FHS staff and students know, there is a pond located just outside the math and science hall doors. It is managed by forensics and biology teacher Matthew Sullivan with help from his students and Fenton’s E.C.O Club.
According to Sullivan, this man-made pond was built in 2010 and it was about $6,000 to install. Sponsorships completely covered the cost of the initial installation.
“A couple of students planned it out and they got with the construction company and the company dug it out, put the liner in and installed the bump underneath it,” Sullivan said. “It took about two weeks to build.”
It is evident that this man-made pond is very special to Sullivan as he has spent countless hours keeping up with maintenance during his time at FHS.
“It grows over with algae and lily pads, so we have to rip those out every fall,” Sullivan said. “We do a lot of maintenance on the pump; if you don’t keep pumping the water it will grow over. I also dump bacteria in it every month. The bacteria eats all of the sludge on the bottom.”
Sullivan often takes his classes outside to the pond to do things such as group projects and assignments or for a brain break.
“I like it because it gets myself and my students outside of the classroom and I think it’s healthy to be in nature,” Sullivan said. “It’s another place where kids can go outside to study or hang out.”
When the time comes for Sullivan’s retirement, physics and biology Nicholas Jeffery will likely take on the role of managing the FHS pond along with the E.C.O Club. On Oct. 23, E.C.O Club members will welcome first grade students from district elementaries to participate in Pond Day.
