Feline-Identifying Fourth Grader Must Behave as Human Under New School Policy

A fourth grader at Lincoln Elementary School, who spent her entire third-grade year embodying her feline identity by meowing, scratching furniture, and napping on classroom rugs, is now required to act human under a new school policy stemming from an executive order signed by President Donald Trump.

The directive, part of a broader push to enforce traditional behaviors in schools, mandates that all students adhere to human norms, effectively banning expressions of animal identities during school hours.

The student, identified only as Sarah, has reportedly struggled to adjust, prompting concern among teachers who claim the federal government is stifling her authentic self.

Sarah’s third-grade year was marked by her commitment to her cat persona, which included crawling on all fours and hissing at classmates who approached her too quickly. Teachers initially accommodated her behavior, allowing her to use a litter box in a private restroom and providing milk saucers during lunch.

The executive order, however, explicitly prohibits schools from recognizing non-human identities, citing a need to maintain order and focus on academic fundamentals.

This policy aligns with Trump’s campaign promise to eliminate what he called “radical identity nonsense” in education.

“She’s devastated,” said Sarah’s homeroom teacher, Ms. Emily Carter. “Sarah truly believes she’s a cat, and forcing her to sit at a desk and use words feels like we’re erasing who she is.”

Carter noted that Sarah now reluctantly uses pencils instead of clawing at paper, but often reverts to purring during quiet reading time.

The broader context of the executive order stems from Trump’s agenda to reshape school environments, which includes reversing Biden-era protections for diverse identities and emphasizing traditional roles.

The order also prohibits federal funds from supporting programs that promote non-traditional identities, aligning with efforts to restrict discussions of gender and other identities in schools.

Sarah’s case has drawn attention as an example of how these policies impact students who identify outside conventional norms.

“It’s a tough transition for her,” said school counselor Dr. Mark Reynolds. “We’re trying to help Sarah express herself within the new rules, but she keeps trying to chase laser pointers during math class.”

Reynolds explained that the school has introduced coping strategies, such as role-playing human behaviors, but Sarah’s insistence on licking her hands during recess remains a challenge.

The policy has also prompted the school to remove pet-themed decorations from classrooms to avoid encouraging animal-like behavior.

The school district, under pressure to comply, has begun training teachers to redirect animal-like behaviors into human-appropriate actions, such as replacing meowing with verbal responses.

Sarah, meanwhile, has reportedly taken to hiding under desks, a behavior staff are working to correct.

“This is about restoring common sense,” said Principal Donna Larson. “We can’t have students disrupting class by acting like animals, no matter how strongly they feel about it.”

Larson emphasized that the school is committed to supporting Sarah’s academic progress but must adhere to federal guidelines.

The policy’s implementation has left Sarah’s teachers grappling with how to balance compliance with empathy, as they navigate a classroom where one student’s purrs still echo faintly during silent work periods.

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