Case
Student is bringing bugs to school

I have observed a situation where there was a student who's family had a severe bug problem at their house. When she would open up her backpack and take out a folder, there would be a cockroach crawling around inside. Bugs would actually crawl out of her folders, binders and backpack. The other students in the classroom would see this and make comments. Anytime they would find a bug in the classroom the students immediately would blame her. What are some ways that you would handle this situation?

Posted on: 10/02/12 | Views: 1824
Solution #1
I would first talk with the guidance counselor to see if she has ever dealt with a similar situation.This is a very sensitive subject that needs to be resolved in a discreet manner. The student has nothing to do with the bugs getting in her stuff and it is obviously more of an issue of her home life. I would send a sealed note home with the student discussing the issue with her parents. I would keep the message very light and try not to come across in an accusing way. If the problem continued, I would call the parents and speak with them directly about it and see if there is any way we can resolve the issue by offering some type of help.

If I were in this situation, I would do this and I plan to use this solution in my classroom. I think being discreet about it is important and I like the idea of sending a letter.

I think that this is a great solution. It is definitely important to remain discreet to protect that student's emotions and reputation. Sending a note home to the parents is a good first step in resolving the issue.

I agree, no matter what the situation has to be dealt with and the student shouldn't be living in that.

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Solution #2
This may be a situation that social services may have to be called to have the house looked at. This is a health and safety issue and is the responsibility of the school to ensure that the student is living in safe conditions. Just like a teacher is responsible for calling if there is a suspension of physical abuse, they also should call child protective services if there is an indication the child's home environment is unhealthy.
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Solution #3
This is a tough situation! I would first remind students that it is not appropriate to talk negatively to or about their classmates. I would then talk with the student individually and make sure their esteem has not been hindered. I would also send a note home in the student's agenda about what is going on, how their student is feeling, and offer any help you may be able to give regarding the situation.
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Solution #4
I would make sure that the students would not blame the student so that student would feel guilty and embarrassed.I would say that the bug came from outside and came in the classroom with the door opening and closing all the time. I would talk to the student privately to ask what is going on at home with the bugs and seek a solution to the bug problem. I would send a letter home with the student or talk to the parents about the issue.
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Solution #5
I would probably talk with the school guidance counselor to see if he/she has any suggestions to handle this. It sounds like it could be a matter that is handled by social services. I would have a private conversation with the student and encourage her to clean out her backpack every night when she gets home from school.
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Solution #6
I would meet the student at the door when she gets off the bus or walks in, then we would go some where quiet and outside and shake out her book bag, every morning. I would talk with her parents and let them know that I was doing it and give them information on ways that they can kill and prevent bugs that do not cost a lot of money. The parents are obviously aware of the fact that they have bugs in their house they just may not know how to handle it. As far as the students making fun of her, I would treat it lioke any other bullying procedure.
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Solution #7
This is a awkward situation! I feel terrible because I am such a sissy when it comes to bugs I scream like a baby. I would definitely talk to my classroom and inform them that we do not know what happens in each others homes and it is not right to make fun of someone no matter what the circumstance. If I saw bugs in the students back pack I would ask a guidance counselor or another teacher to watch my classroom so the student and I could go outside to "debug" her back pack. At this time I would talk to the student and ask if everything at home is going well. I would put my fears aside because I believe what I said to my students, I do not know what is going on at home but I want to find out so I can help.

I don't think this is a good solution. I don't think it is a good idea to draw more attention to the student by evolving the class. Though it is important to not lie about the situation I would just take another approach and not involve the class.

I also agree that this is not the best solution to be used. I think drawing more attention to the issue would pose a possibility to embarrass the student, or heighten the severity of the issue.

I think it should be handled in a private matter and not addressed for the whole class to find out.

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Solution #8
I would have a conference with administration first to let them know what is going on before having a meeting with the student's parents. After this I would make contact with the parents to either give them the chance to come into the classroom or at least have a conversation about the issue over the phone. When talking with the parents I would talk to them about various options about getting rid of the bugs, if they sound embarrassed about the bugs then I would monitor the students in the upcoming weeks to see if it gets any better. If it does not then I would contact DCF (Department of Children and Families) to let them know of the issue, cause by law we would have to report issues like this.
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Solution #9
I would speak to the class separately, when the student was not around, informing them of our classroom rules and how our words effect others. I would say that we do not hurt others' feelings in our classroom family. I would ask the student if everything is OK and then make a phone call home describing the situation and offering information to services for "debugging." If the situation continued, I would contact the school's social worker and follow through with the situation.
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Solution #10
I would have a conference with the parents and see if there is something we could do about this. If there was still no solution I would talk to the social worker and see if there are any suggestions or ways to help this family.
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Solution #11
First of all, the teacher needs to let the appropriate staff know about this situation. Bugs can be a sign of a bad living environment, and the situation needs to be investigated.
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Solution #12
I would first talk to the class as a whole an remind them of classroom rules that they must abide by. Let them know that they should treat others the way they want to be treated. I would then talk to the student in private and then have a meeting with the parents about the problem and let the parents know that they didn't want the student to feel sad or be picked on so that's why they are having this meeting so that we could find a solution to the problem.
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Solution #13
I would send a note home to the parents about the issue so they are aware how bad the problem is, suggest that maybe they invest in pest control.
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Solution #14
All the solutions here have merit, Sadly, I would agree with those who believe you should contact social services. This is a health problem and concern. The safety of the child's health is important even if you end up getting on the parents' bad side. I realize this is a sensitive issue because the child could also be singled out by the other students. In a way it is kind of like a head lice problem.
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