DIANE MAKAR MURPHY Parakeet rules the roost in classroom

Blueberry is a little turquoise-breasted bird with 16 pint-sized owners. He lives in a classroom at Market Street Elementary School in Boardman, sometimes enjoying the peace and quiet of his cage, but more often, flitting from one little shoulder to another.
For about two months now, Blueberry the parakeet has been part of Resource Center Teacher Pat Passarelli's primary-grades class.
Originally purchased by teacher's aide Joanne Green to befriend her parrot, Blueberry didn't get the welcome she'd hoped for. Rather than return the bird to the store, Green brought him to Market Street for a trial run.
Passarelli was skeptical at first. "I never thought I could love a bird," she said. "When Joanne came in with it, I thought, 'Uh-oh.'" But that soon changed.
Part of the class
Now, Blueberry is as much a class member as the next kid. He is sometimes sent to timeout in his cage for chirping too much. He has a jungle gym on a small table top where he practices his tricks. He encourages pupils with his presence. And one pupil even swears Blueberry helped with the answers on a proficiency exam.
Though Passarelli still doesn't allow Blueberry to roost on her shoulder, she has come to appreciate the feathered instructor. "He's a great motivator. This one here," she said pointing to a little boy, "practiced spelling with Blueberry, and he got 100. And the bird loves it. You have to see it to believe it. He jumps up and down on the flagpole."
The store where Green bought Blueberry said it would take time, but the little bird would eventually be willing to roost on a finger. "But it was immediate with these kids," Green said. "And their behavior's changed. He goes with them when they sit at the computer. He sits when they read, and they read to him. It gives them confidence. And it's so exciting when they do well. They're so proud."
Blueberry also helps with classroom management. "Can Blueberry come and sit on me?" Jawan Johnson asked during my visit.
"You know the rule," Green answered. "Who's sitting doing their work quietly?"
Blueberry has a yellow head and face to accompany his startlingly turquoise chest. He speaks a few words in English in addition to his happy chirping -- like hello, goodbye and something the night cleaning crew has taught him that the pupils can't quite make out.
Quite at home
Since part of owning a pet is caring for it, the pupils have been taught to care for Blueberry. Posted is a chart of bird anatomy. Most of the children feel comfortable with Blueberry sitting on their finger. They've learned to gently nudge his chest until he climbs aboard.
"He's got it made here," Green said. "When I take him home [on weekends], he pouts. He does nothing. He doesn't come out of his cage. He's quiet. My husband hears me talk about how wonderful he is all week, then he acts like that. My husband says, 'Yah, cool bird.'" Green laughed.
But as little as Blueberry has impressed Green's husband, he's plenty cool for Passarelli's pupils. "He makes me happy," said Diara Fletcher of her tiny classmate.
"Blueberry is funny," Jasmine Wilson agreed and giggled. "He always flies all around to the flag. ... He chirps. I'm glad he's here."
Eddie AduPoku had a few secrets to tell. "He gets his name on the board when he doesn't behave. He gives answers out and gets in trouble."
A bird in the classroom makes Passarelli's kids the envy of the school. No one gets in to look at him without the invitation of a class member. Even Birdtalk Magazine is slated to fly in for an interview with Blueberry and his pupils.
Ryan Campana summed it up best. "Blueberry likes us a lot. He makes school fun. ... He makes you feel great!"
murphy@vindy.com