Saving Plano’s pond
February 11, 2014
The pond, home to many ducks and fish, was drastically altered around Jan.7. Chlorine and copper sulfate were introduced to the makeup of the water, turning it a vibrant, clear blue and killing over 100 fish. Senior Ryan Robertson has teamed up with outdoor education teacher Teri Minnis to fix and restock the pond.
“One day, Coach Minnis and I were talking about the pond, and I just decided to take action and awareness to help fix the pond,” Robertson said. “She said she would support me on starting Saving Plano’s Pond, so I decided to reach out to the school.”
In order to raise awareness and money for the cause, Robertson created a twitter account called Plano’s Pond. Along with enlisting the help of Minnis, Robertson is also trying to involve many more organizations, such as Student Congress and PALS. While they don’t know how the dangerous chemical was put into the water, they are determined to restore its natural color and introduce new fish.
“I wanted the students at Vines, Clark and Plano Senior to have the unique opportunity to fish, because a lot of schools don’t have a pond,” Robertson said. “It’s a tradition at this school.”
Robertson and Minnis are not sure of exactly how much money they need to raise, but they know it will be a lot. Many of the fish that were killed were the elegant and expensive Koi. These fish symbolize love and friendship in their home country of Japan, and their presence will be missed.
Minnis will store all money, and Saving Plano’s Pond will be receiving donations until the end of the school year.
“I’m trying to get more people involved to donate money to get it fixed,” Robertson said. “It will take a lot to fix the pond and restock it.”
Ian Lusky PSHS Class of 1998 • Feb 17, 2014 at 4:46 am
I noticed in one of the photos that my former pet duck who flew away about a year ago has been living in that pond for awhile now. His name is Oreo and he is the quiet black/white duck. If he needs to be relocated, even temporarily, please contact me ASAP and I will take extra special care of Oreo freely.
Cal • Feb 14, 2014 at 8:57 am
Raise money first then find out what it will take to fix it. Maybe it’s not broken. It sounds like they wanted to dump those chemicals in there to clean it up.
Also, you don’t fish for Koi so the need to fish and the cost of expensive Koi are points that counteract and don’t help your case.
I think the real question is, will the water be safe for a student to jump in for senior prank?
Lauren Moffett • Feb 13, 2014 at 9:13 am
***** POND UPDATE******
Due to fundraising rules Plano can’t set up an online account. They can however accept checks and cash donations. Please make your checks out to Plano Senior High School and in the memo section note “Save the Pond”. Please address envelopes to:
Plano Senior High School Attn: Teri Minnis
2200 Independence Parkway
Plano, Texas 75252
**** In response to other comments, Plano ISD maintainence has told the school that they are not responsible. Administration is at a loss as to who could have done this.
The kids are truly devistated by the loss of the fish. The pond is used by the Outdoor Education class to teach fishing and fly fishing. Wildlife and Outdoor management uses it for their class. AP Environmental Systems and other science classes use the pond to study the ph of the water. And our Special Education students love to feed the fish and ducks. In the fall students had created the Fishing Club and were waiting for Spring weather to start fishing. ANY amount of money that you could donate would be appreciated!!!!
Andy Solomon • Feb 13, 2014 at 8:08 am
Class of 01′- I’d donate too- we need a link. Moreover; I run an aquatic toxicology lab out in Carrollton and we can help you get some organisms back in there.
Lauren • Feb 13, 2014 at 2:39 am
Class of ’01 PSHS alum here. Please do set up a fundraising page. I’m sure many of us could kick in a few bucks to help save the pond.
Trent Lewis • Feb 12, 2014 at 11:09 pm
Let Plano Senior alum Trent Lewis and owner of Prosper based PondMedics know if we can be of any help! We would love to donate, advise and help in any way!
Paulina • Feb 12, 2014 at 9:42 pm
I think a “fund me” account would be a great start in raising money for this awesome cause. I graduated 2010 and I know of a lot of Wildcats that would be more than happy to help in any way possible! Plano pride and go Wildcats!!!
Sharon Vogel • Feb 12, 2014 at 5:22 pm
Seems as if swimming pool chemicals were used in the pond. Copper sulfate kills algae. Could maintenance have been told to clean it up? I am glad students and former students want to save the pond. But before you put a lot of money in to the project, find out why and who introduced the chemicals. I’m sure there are some records somewhere.
I LOVE DUCKS • Feb 12, 2014 at 4:58 pm
I’ve always loved ducks.
What the duck bro. Lets keep that trash ridden slosh pull alive and all that stuff.
FUN FACT:
You know as soon as you get into the pond you’re almost waist high in mud and it’s the same depth pretty much through the entire pond.
Denise • Feb 12, 2014 at 2:05 pm
Why were the chemicals introduced into the water in the first place? Was it an accident or trying to address another ecologic issue? Whoever is responsible for adding the chemicals to the water needs to at the minimum, help with the cost of reestablishing the pond, including it’s flora and wildlife, back to the way it was prior
Scott Jordan • Feb 12, 2014 at 1:19 pm
Is there any information on how this happened or who was in charge of letting it happen!? I’ll donate to help fix it up. I loved that pond. It was a huge part of the stay days and during the warm spring time it was a lot of fun to sit around and eat lunch next to.
Erin hurts • Feb 12, 2014 at 1:13 pm
What does the school need to save the pond? How does a former student donate to the cause? It’s a horrible thing that has happened. The pond is a staple of the school!
Frannie Steele • Feb 12, 2014 at 12:44 pm
If you want to raise money for the pond, hit students up at lunchtime! Ask for their change while it is right there at hand. It may not seem like much, but it adds up and every little bit helps! It also shows people that you are ACTIVELY involved in this cause. Plano Senior High is ALWAYS something to be proud of! I put a duck in that pond several years ago with my best friend. The Seniors also hung me over the pond once by my ankles (just kidding around) I stayed dry! Anything about Plano is worth fighting for!
PLANO PRIDE INSIDE! Good Luck!
Christopher Miller • Feb 12, 2014 at 11:45 am
2003 graduate here. Just a suggestion but you may want to check out setting up an Indiegogo.com or similar crowdsourcing campaign to raise awareness and cash. Good luck!
Jim Ruestmann • Feb 12, 2014 at 11:09 am
So Where do we make donations, inquiring minds want to know.
Josh glover • Feb 12, 2014 at 10:50 am
I attended Plano sr high school graduated in 2005. The pond always meant a lot to me and my friends. I brang a friend from Sweden to show him the koi fish there only to see a disgrace to what once was. I suspect only laziness and money are to blame here.
I will help in any way I can, financially or manual labor. I know other who feel the same way. Let me know what I can do.
Sarah (Wells) Macias '77 • Feb 12, 2014 at 9:56 am
As an AP Biology student of Mrs. Hirsch that pond was where I took samples and explored life systems that often go unnoticed. I am glad to help but am curious…what happened? How?
Sarah
Patty DeGroot • Feb 12, 2014 at 9:47 am
It saddens me to hear about the WildCat pond! There are many memories of the Pond at PSHS for me and my friends. Please let me know what comes of this venture and what some are doing to help!
Kim Rutkowski • Feb 12, 2014 at 7:20 am
Just read this on fb. I graduated 1978 and the “pond” holds many great memories for me. Let me know how I can donate to the cause. Thank you for caring!
Rob Cordell, class of '88 • Feb 11, 2014 at 10:37 pm
Can you let us know a website for donating?