Meeting Max and Maxine

There was something " Udderly " special at Sunkist Elementary school last Thursday. Students got the opportunity to see a cow during a Dairy Council of California assembly, a program that takes lessons and livestock on the road statewide to t each children about a cow's anatomy, its digestive system, and the role of dairy products in the human diet. The Mobile Dairy Classroom, a classroom on wheels, visited the campus with 2- year-old "Maxine" and her 3-month-old bull calf, "Max." "This is a great opportunity for students to learn where milk comes from," said Lyoelle Hamilton, PTA vice president, who helped with the event. Third-grader Ariana Castellanos said she woke up early, eager to see a cow. "I told my mom we were going to have a cow at school, but I don't think she believed me." The lessons covered California State Curriculum Standards for language, math, science and health education. Steve Miller, the mobile classroom instructor, gave students lessons that were both insightful and fun. When giving them key terms to remember such as "pasteurize," he asked students to participate. "OK, move your hands over your eyes," he said. "You see, your hand has just 'passed your eyes.'" Miller also pointed to the top of Maxine's head and asked students what the cow was missing. While students yelled out "brains" and "hair," one student cleverly said, "A hat like yours?" "No, it's definitely not a hat. How about horns?" Miller asked. Sunkist Elementary school students take a closer look at "Maxine," a-Guernsey cow from Bay Meadow Farms. Maxine weighs about 1,200 pounds, eats about 50 pounds of alfalfa and drinks 50 gallons of water a day.