Case
Student Smells Bad

There is a student in my internship who always shows up dirty and smelling bad. His smell can be a distraction to other students in the class. My CT has heard from other school staff that the student's family is very low-income, and this has been a repeated issue in the past. What can or should we do to address the issue?

Posted on: 10/14/19 | Views: 677
Solution #1
Top Solution
I would keep toiletries in my desk or closet for any student because sometimes situations arise that is out of the students hands. I would give the student the items to use discreetly so no other student notices. I would talk to the child privately and let them know you are there for them if they want to talk. You could reach out to the guidance counselor also and express your concerns. Maybe there is assistance the family could qualify for and they don't know it.

I agree with this solution. This is exactly what I would do in this situation.

I agree with this solution

I would have to say that i also agree with this solution

Keeping items in this class is definitely a go to.

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Solution #2
In order to not publicly embarrass the student I would first suggest to my CT that we seek advise from the schools's guidance counselor. Set up a meeting with the parents and discuss what is happening in the classroom which is now becoming a distraction from learning. Inform the parents if there is no running water at home the student could use the gym showers to shower before school begins. Bring in wall plugs if allowed, and ignore the smell. When the teacher models this behavior their students will follow and soon will be forgotten. Many of our students will come from different backgrounds, it is not their fault their family's may be unable to afford utilities. It is our job to prevent offensive behaviors before they escalate.

I agree with seeking suggestions from guidance counselor.

I agree that bringing this issue up with the guidance counselor is a good first step into finding a solution.

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Solution #3
We as teachers never want to embarrass our students, so I would bring this student to the side and ask them privately if they would like to take home some deodorant, hair brush, toothbrush, and maybe just a little to go bag of toiletries. I have had personal experience of contacting a parent because the student would tell me he was uncomfortable and wanted to shower, and the parent was okay with it, and he was able to shower at our school, and we gave him all new clothes, even shoes. I would contact the parent or just ask if they would want something.

I like this post because it involved the parents and allows to solve the solution outside of the classroom away from students

As a teacher thats true you never want to embarrass the student.

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Solution #4
The student probably does not have access to toiletries because they are low-income. Keeping some basic toiletries like deodorant and toothbrushes in the classroom will help students who do not have access to these items. Teach the class as a whole about hygiene and if the issue continues, pull the student to the side to explain that they are free to use the toiletries in the class and there is nothing to be ashamed of. It is also important to keep in mind that some cultures do not use deodorant like Americans do.

I agree some are less fortunate and dont have access to these things.

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Solution #5
I would always have personal hygiene items for students to take if they don't have any at home. A former teacher of mine had a great idea of having spray deodorant (not the roll on kind) available in the bathroom for students to use if they felt they needed it. This way students could use it privately and without being judged by the other students. I don't remember the name of the teacher but it is a good idea.

Being a teacher I would keep hygiene items at all times for who need them.

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Solution #6
Like many others have said, I would keep basic toiletries in the classroom, and when the student comes into school in the morning allow them time to use the restroom to freshen up. It might also be beneficial to send some toiletries home with the student, this should be accompanied with a note to parents that it is simply a gesture and in no way a judgement of the student or the family.
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Solution #7
I had a student in the classroom that I was interning at. The teachers had no support from the parents, so they would have the student use the shower facilities before school. Some schools have washer/dryers also. This school did, so they would wash the student's uniforms so she would have a fresh set for the next school week. If your school doesn't have these resources, you could always ask a guest speaker to come and visit the classroom to talk about hygiene.

As a teacher this could be a hard situation when parents arent as supportive as should. I would get things for studnets.

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Solution #8
As noted, contacting the counselors office for support and outside resources could benefit the student/family. I would try to gather some information as to the students current situation by instructing all students to complete an exercise that would ultimately give you some more insight to that one child without singling him out. The activity could include written questions about their favorite music, style of clothing, shoes, shampoo, color, sport, season, toothpaste, etc. With this information a more informed plan could be formulated.

I agree contacting guidance counseling can help with additional resources for student and family.

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Solution #9
I would suggest having the CT or school counselor help to address this students personal hygine. If the student and family cannot afford new clothes or personal hygine materials then hold a collection to help this family and others out

If I was a teacher I would have counseling address student and parent.

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Solution #10
The best thing to do is not draw extra attention to it. I would have extra items for the student to be able to use in case they do not have them at home. I also would bring this issue up privately with the guidance counselor in case there is something deeper going on or that the school can help out with.
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Solution #11
I would first talk to the student privately about the situation so he does not get embarrassed and so he can explain his situation to you if he is comfortable enough. I would keep some personal hygiene items in the class and send some home with the student. I had a situation like this in my internship and the student would wear the same dirty clothes for days in a row and he explained to my CT he did not have a washing machine. My CT offered that he bring a garbage bag of his clothes on Mondays to school and she would go home and wash them and bring them back to him on Tuesday.
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Solution #12
I would talk to the student one on one and express your concerns. When talking to him, I would make him feel comfortable and not embarrassed. Since this student is low-income that's most likely why he isn't able to buy hygiene products. If this was my student I would keep some products in my classroom that he is able to use throughout the day.

If I was a teacher I would have a one on one so the student dont get embarrass

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Solution #13
The teacher may want to keep some hygeine products and announce that they are available for all students to take and use. Additionally the teacher may want to use a scented air defuser in the classroom after checking that no student is allergic to the particular smell. Finally, the teacher may want to conference with the family to help give them resources.

I agree

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Solution #14
Along with keeping some toiletries for this student and the rest of the class, I would also ask them privately if they wanted to bring some of these toiletries home with them in a bag that no one can see what is inside.

As a teacher I would ask student to get some as well.

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Solution #15
I would talk to the student privately and maybe have certain toiletries on hand to offer them.

If I was a teacher I would go over daily activities with the student.

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Solution #16
Offer the student access to school commodities and have a genuine conversation with the student in which you will not be discriminatory or accusing of them, but instead assist him and his family as necessary!
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Solution #17
I would first ask the CT's permission to reach out to the student, because I would not want to step over any potential boundaries. If given permission, I would pull the student aside and ask them if their is anything I can do to help or support him given his circumstance.
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Solution #18
I think the teacher could keep toiletries in the desk for future references. Also talk to the nurse or even the gym instructor, to see if there are showers in the Locke room the student can use. The teacher should also look into ways to get clothes donated to the student.
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Solution #19
The best thing to do is not draw extra attention to it. I would have extra items for the student to be able to use in case they do not have them at home. I also would bring this issue up privately with the guidance counselor in case there is something deeper going on or that the school can help out with.
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Solution #20
I would have hygiene products for students that need it. I would ask them privately if there is anything going on or if they need anything trying not to embarrass them and reach out to the parents as well. If this issue still continues, I would talk to the schools guidance counselor and school social worker to ask for help. I have been around a situation like this where a student’s clothes and backpack had cat spray on it. Even the homework they turned had a smell. For this situation, the social worker and guidance counselor did contact the parents finding out that this student has a lot of pets in their house, but the situation never got solved. I felt bad because cat urine is extremely strong, and the other students would be bothered by it. I would open any windows if you could BEFORE the student comes to your class to try and let some of the smell out. I would also have an air freshener in the class to help limit the smell.
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Solution #21
I would have toiletries there for the students in case they do not have them at home. And would also discuss ways to help the students with administration.
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Solution #22
I would ensure to keep toiletries in my desk for instances like these. First I would speak to the student one on one. Them I would privately provide the student with the toiletries so that they can use them. I would also set up a meeting witht he school guidance counselor to see if there is anything that can be done about setting up a meeting with the parents' to talk about this situation and to offer any assistance.
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Solution #23
The best thing to do is talk to the student. Making them feel unjudged and supported is the main goal. Find out what is going on and you can decide if you want to help them get some items they may need for hygiene.

I agree.

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Solution #24
I would talk to the student one on one and express your concerns. When talking to him, I would make him feel comfortable and not embarrassed. Since this student is low-income that's most likely why he isn't able to buy hygiene products. If this was my student I would keep some products in my classroom that he is able to use throughout the day.

I agree. as a teacher I would have hygiene items in the classroom.

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Solution #25
I would bring a pair of clean clothes and toiletries that fit the needs of the student. Some schools may have washer and dryers that will allow the teachers to use to clean student's clothing or rags.

If I was a teacher I would have a donation box to collect items for kids who cant afford hygiene items.

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Solution #26
contact home

As a teacher contacting home to a parent is number one.

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Solution #27
I would keep all things that the students need nearby such as deodorant, fresh spay, etc. Then when appropriate and reasonable I would have a discussion with the student on the fact they smell. It might just be a thing that they just don’t know and need someone to tell and remind them.

As a teacher I would do the same keeping necessary things for student at my desk.

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