Tortoise Tuesdays started in the beginning of 2025 when Bow, a female tortoise, was introduced to students by Mr.Peardot to classes here at Fossil Ridge High School.

Peardot who has been an English teacher at Fossil Ridge for six years, and started bringing Bow, when one of his Journalism classes mentioned him bringing her in since he  talked about her so much. He brought her in on a Tuesday which started with tortoise Tuesdays. 

“She’s really fun. I had a class pet when I was in middle school, and I really liked it, and I think the kids like having her,” Peardot said. 

She is adored by students and has taken on a special role on campus, offering comfort and calm in a way similar to a therapy animal. 

 Findlay West, a former student of Mr. Peardot’s journalism class, who last year started tortoise Tuesdays. In that class she enjoyed playing with Bow and keeping her company. 

“It was a happy part of a Tuesday morning. Tuesdays are just meh, and it was just happy, just brightened your mood for the day,” said West. 

Bow is about 10 years old, Peardot got her when she was about three to four years old from scales and tails in Fort Collins. Tortoises her breed  typically live up to 50 years old and won’t get much bigger than she is now. Her favorite foods are romaine lettuce, cucumber, and peppers. 

Proving small things can have large impacts, the heartwarming tortoise Tuesdays bring students something to look forward to, and something to light up their day.