A student walks past you as they enter the classroom, and they smell horrible. How can you address this without embarrassing the student and keeping the student around them from being disruptive?
Solution #1
ePaXej
Joined on Mar 2021
208 points
Expert
As a High School teacher, I would always keep a "go-to" bag in my desk. In this bag are sticks of travel-size deodorant, mints, and hand sanitizer (bath and body). I have pulled students aside and informed them of body smells. I have always been thanked because they usually were coming from the gym and forget their deodorant at home. It was good to be seen as a concerned teacher then allow this student to remain self conclusions because they forgot a cheap piece of hygiene equipment.
Solution #2
VuDaNy
Joined on Nov 2021
124 points
Advanced
I suggest having a conversation with the student and making sure they are safe and have a place to shower and hygiene product. Most counselors will help if you need to offer them hygiene products.
Solution #3
nujejy
Joined on Oct 2021
205 points
Expert
I think by privately talking to the student would be the best solution. Some students may feel embarrassed but it's apart of life. Having a small "closet" of things such as deodorant, hair brushes, hair ties, gel, etc. would be a good thing to have in class in case any other students may need it.
Solution #4
ydaWeR
Joined on Oct 2021
207 points
Expert
Privately talking to them about their odor can help and avoid embarrassment around their peers. I have a student in first grade who occasionally comes in smelling like he hasn’t bathed in a few days and we’re aware of his home life and know he doesn’t get the proper attention he needs. So privately my CT has sat with him and told him that he needs to take a bath or shower every night and that he doesn’t need grandma or dad to tell him to. She suggested to him that once he finishes his homework every night to bathe and make it a part of his own routine. That being said most counselors or nurses offices have deodorant or fresh wipes for students to use
Solution #5
SaZaLa
Joined on Apr 2022
103 points
Advanced
I suggest you pull the student to the side and speak with them privately. This could be done in the hallway or at a later time in the day. I would try to be as understanding as possible and not pass any judgements.
Solution #6
sanuRa
Joined on Jul 2021
201 points
Expert
I would most likely remind all students to feel free to take all of the hygiene tools they need from the classroom hygiene basket. This basket will have small everyday essentials like sanitizer, wipes, deodorant spray, pads, mints, and mouthwash pills as well. This way students can take what they need to the restroom to use. I would wait until the end of the day and have a small conversation with the student about what's going on and let them know that I am here to help.
Solution #7
dazugu
Joined on Mar 2021
201 points
Expert
Working in an ESE classroom, some of my students struggle with bodily hygiene and will have body odor after going outside for a few minutes. This is something that I have observed my CT dealing with, and he will bring it up very casually. On Thursdays, we go off-campus for a career prep class where students need to look professional. My Ct will use this as an example of why they need to practice good hygiene in their day to day life.
Solution #8
enaMyj
Joined on Oct 2021
200 points
Expert
This is a personal hygine issue and can be very embarrassing for the student. I would see if you could pull them aside individually and address the issue. Provide resources like deodorant for them and see what their home life looks like. They may not have access to the resources at home. Also contacting the parent would be helpful
Solution #9
RamaPy
Joined on Oct 2021
206 points
Expert
Pull the student aside privately and address the issue, do not appear to pity the student nor be judgmental. Offer to provide care products if needed. In your classroom, you can keep a stash of personal hygiene products for cases such as this or if a student is in need.
Solution #10
LuXuXa
Joined on Oct 2021
205 points
Expert
I think addressing this asa class thing and not putting it on one student to make them feel embarrassed. Provide resources for you students in the classroom that they are allow to have access to. You never know what it is like at home, or if it may be a cultural thing, or they just do not care. But the least you can do if provide resources.
Solution #11
Zygepy
Joined on Oct 2023
101 points
Advanced
I would keep hygiene products that students could use in my classroom because there are situations where a student might not have access to it where they live or go to after school. If it is a reoccurring problem it is best to talk privately and let them know that body odor is a natural thing our body produces and explain various tools they could use to combat it if they weren't aware. These things depend on age range or situation.
Solution #12
aSyLyt
Joined on Oct 2023
201 points
Expert
Depending on the age you can always try to add "life lessons" in to the day. One of them could be on body odor. You could also go to the dollar tree and buy like 10 small things a deodorant and let students know that if they need any they can see you at the end of the day and get one for free. Some kids might not have the ability to buy it outside of school.
Solution #13
Hanyqe
Joined on Nov 2022
202 points
Expert
Hand out hygiene bags to all students to not single out
Solution #14
Hanyqe
Joined on Nov 2022
202 points
Expert
Maybe create a hygiene bin for the class.
Solution #15
nySyne
Joined on Oct 2021
200 points
Expert
Its better to address this than to ignore it, as this students will likely get picked on by others. Either refer them to a school social worker, or pull them aside yourself and offer them some way to solve the problem. If they are very young, it may be a good idea to involve the parent in this conversation.
Solution #16
HasuXa
Joined on Nov 2022
193 points
Advanced
I would make it a whole class discussion , to avoid singling out a single student
Solution #17
Hanyqe
Joined on Nov 2022
202 points
Expert
A great way to address this would to maybe start a take away box with hygiene products in it that the student can take!Make sure students are aware of it too!
Solution #18
abazaN
Joined on Oct 2022
101 points
Advanced
I would bring it to their attention privately, offer a little to go bag with hygiene items or see if the school counselor can offer anything to them.
Solution #19
yraReW
Joined on Jun 2021
201 points
Expert
It is important to call the students privately before or after class. I would try to keep deodorant and other cleanliness supplies for the student to use privately.
Solution #20
yHuJyG
Joined on Oct 2022
100 points
Advanced
I think its important to pull students to the side and ask if everything is ok at home first. I would then point the student in the direction of resources that could help them, such as guidance.
Solution #21
ySeJeg
Joined on Apr 2022
101 points
Advanced
I would call the guidance counselor and figure out how to go about the situation because it could be problems at home that the the student is faced with hygiene problems.
Solution #22
beGeZe
Joined on Apr 2022
100 points
Advanced
I would discretely tell them they have a slight odor and offer them a way to mask the smell.
Solution #23
aJaSyZ
Joined on Apr 2022
101 points
Advanced
You could approach the student privately and mention how as we go through puberty our bodies produce more oder so it's completely normal but we have to be mindful of our hygiene in public. You could then suggest the student get some deodorant and bathe regularly. If you have a teacher supply of deodorant you could offer that to the student.
Solution #24
NuMyDe
Joined on Oct 2020
200 points
Expert
is there a counselor you can send them to? I think this is a councilor problem
New Solution
Solution Submitted Successfully
Thank you for submitting your solution. Your contribution is greatly appreciated!
Rate the Solution
Vote Submitted
Thank you for rating the solution and congratulations, you have just earned 1 point for rating.