This is a great idea. The teacher wants to make sure that this could effect the student emotionally. Even though you want the student to embrace his culture on all levels it might be important to embrace some American cultures as well.

Great solution! I definitely think that getting the parents involved is the best solution. The teacher could also teach the entire class the importance of being clean if he or she is sure to do so in a way that does not single the student out. Whatever the teacher chooses to do, it must be respectful and carefully considered to ensure that the parents do not completely shut themselves off to the teacher or the situation, which could have devastating effects on their son.

I agree completely that it is very important to keep the conversation focused around the child's well-being and feelings. Great suggestions.

Yes a conference would be a good idea. However, what would you say if the parents refuse to change their ways because of their culture? Are you going to tell them that their child will continue getting picked on and it will be their fault. This is a very fragile situation especially when neither side is necessarily wrong.

Great idea! You can communicate to parents without disrespecting them. Letting them know that you are only concerned about his feeling being hurt. Educating them on why that situation is happening should be short and sweet and to the point.

I definitely agree that the focus should be on the child's feelings!

You bring up a good point to focus on the child's well being and feelings and not on the negative behavior in class. This hopefully helps to focus the conversation in a different light and helps keep the parents from becoming defensive or offended.

I agree that you should focus on the child's psychological well-being. No parent wants to hear that their child is being made fun of so I'm sure they will be accepting and willing help in order to protect their child. The child's academics are first priority and I think all parties will agree.

I think that a conference would be a good idea, but what do you do if the parents become offended at topic of the conference? What if the parents decide they're going to continue to allow the child to practice their beliefs? This was a tough situation. I think that before I called the parents in for a conference, reminding the students that different cultures hold different beliefs and we must learn to respect them all is very important as well.

I agree with you. I think that this is a great idea. The parents need to be informed with what is happening at school. Of course, I would be completely understandable if it had something to do with their culture. I would also address how the other students are handling the odor as well. I would point out that their student is a bright student and that I do not want this to affect his learning or become angry.

I think it is extremely important to keep in mind that the student could be affected by the situation at hand. I agree that it is important for the parents to understand the situation at hand. The parents need to realize that you are not being negative toward their culture, but you are concerned about the other students making fun of their child. I did not think about a parent conference. I think this would be an even better idea. I would just want the solution to be resolved quickly so the parents would have to be able to come in as soon as possible.

This is a really great solution. I liked that you focused on how the body odor is affecting the student's well-being while also letting the parents know that he is a bright student who is very willing to participate. I think the parents will be willing to work with you based on your efforts.

Great post! It's important to always let the parents know what their child does really well.

I believe having a parent teacher conference is a great idea but I would conduct it a little differently. I would present the facts of the situation and allow the parents to decide what to do instead of trying to persuade them one way or the other.

I agree that the meeting should revolve around their child's well being and how he is being treated in class. That way it is not necessarily a difference in cultures, but how their son is being treated in class.

I agree with you that a conference is necessary. Also, like you, I think that stressing your focus on their child's emotional well-being and academics is so important. That really sets the right tone for what could be a potentially uncomfortable discussion. If the parents do not want to change their hygiene habits, then have a discussion with them about what could be done to help the child feel respected in the classroom. Ultimately, I believe that it's going to be up to the parents to decide a course of action with which everyone is comfortable.

I really like your solution. I think that it is well thought out and considerate of culture. However, you are addressing the major concern which is the child's well-being. Well done.

I love your idea of a conference. I would start with that and use the sandwich method to focus on the child's good and then touch on the odor situation.

I like your solution and think it is a good way to handle this delicate situation. Some solutions I have read say DO NOT get the parents involved but I personally think this is a matter that the child cannot help himself so parents need to be aware. Having a child picked on because of something that is normal in their society but not here is hard for the child and teacher to experience.

Thank you for the wonderful post! I agree with your approach of involving the parents and your focus on the well being of the child. I might start the conversation with how well the student is doing in the classroom and other positive comments prior to discussing the problem though.

I agree that the parents need to be contacted in some form and made aware of the situation. I also think that it is important to keep the focus of the conversation on the well being of the child. The only thing that I would do different from what you have suggested is to open with the positives about the student. This will help the parents fell like you are on their side and supportive of their child.

Parents do indeed need to be contacted and made aware of the situation. I would meet with the parents first before approaching the student. This may be a situation that the parents wish to handle privately with their child; however, the teacher does need to make it known that he or she is willing to help in any way.

I agree that the parents of the child should be contacted, but I also suggest that the students that are making fun of the student should be dealt with as well. These students cannot be allowed to bully the student, regardless of the reason.

I like how you mention the teacher should make the topic about the students emotional well-being. Therefore, it does not seem as if he is being rude. Maybe the student finds that Americans stink and this could turn into a culture lesson!

I had not thought about conferencing with the parents about the issue. That is actually a really good idea. That way the parents could present the issue to the student and they could figure out a solution together.

I agree with this. Good post. Also, maybe do a life skills lesson with the whole class and impose how important hygiene can be. Maybe he will go home and tell his parents of this or take it upon himself to shower and wear deodorant if he realizes it is a norm here.

I really like your solution, and I think it will be very helpful. I agree this is a problem and having a solution to this problem can help be a better teacher without having to deal with the bad stuff.

I agree that the teacher should discuss this directly with the parents through a meeting or by sending a respectful letter home. I would prefer the meeting over the letter that way you can more thoroughly explain the dilemma to the parents and show them you are there because you care about their child's well being.

I definitely think it is important to keep the child's well-being at the forefront of this problem. Kids can be mean, and, a lot of times, they are relentless. I believe you have an adult conversation with the parents and let them make up their mind as to whether or not to respond by beginning to emphasize bathing. This may be a situation that the parents do not realize that bathing is part of the American culture. At least, in my opinion, it is necessary to inform the parents of this.

That is a great solution. I think involving the parents shows them that you really do care about his well-being and want to protect him. Even though it can be uncomfortable, it is something that must be done.

I also agree that a conference would be a great idea. It is a way to meet the parents and express how well their student is doing but also address the situation at hand.

This is the best solution. i would do this if i was in your shoes. I think having a respectful conference with the parents to inform them of the bullying is best.

I completely agree with your solution. I think having the parents come into the classroom will be appropriate so you can explain and make sure it does not come off as disrespectful like a note may sound.

I agree with this solution

I get this solution and agree

I agree! This would handle it well.

I agree with you, but I think a letter home would work just fine. Just be tactful about it.

I agree with this solution completely, keeping the student's well-being at the forefront of the argument is the most important thing, because if they do get emotionally damaged they can then have a harder time learning.

Communicating with parents can be helpful in find a solution or even depending on the situation having a talk with the student could help.

I agree with having a conference with the parents to discuss solutions for the student's hygiene. I also like the idea of bringing the nurse in to discuss the facts of poor hygiene. The class should also be reminded that teasing other students is unacceptable in the classroom and the teacher should not tolerate that type of behavior.

I agree that having a private conference with the parents is a good first start. I also like the idea of having the parents explain to the child the issues about hygiene. If it is cultural, the parents should be the ones explaining their reasons for allowing or not allowing their child to take a shower.

I agree with your thoughts on having the parents explain to the child why he needs to change cultural bathing habits. Having the school nurse teach the child about hygiene is also a great idea. Perhaps the parents could also be involved with the meeting with the nurse to reinforce the ideas of cleanliness and the reasons why it is needed.

I also think if you plan to talk with the parents during a private meeting that the student should not be involved. It is also important to make the parents feel comfortable meaning do not make them feel bad by having so many people in the meeting. This can make people feel embarassed and shut down. I would talk with them with the company of the principal. This will allow another person to hear exactly what you say so that your words do not get twisted. -Kayla Mullins

I think the school nurse would be a great resource as well! School nurses have a knack and compassion to deal with these types of situations. They also have resources and hygiene products for the student if he needs it. Though this is likely a cultural situation, the child should be given opportunity to rectify the problem. What if the family is poor and unable to purchase hygiene items? What if they want to fit in to the culture, but don't have the means to do so? The nurse would be an excellent resource. If he goes to the nurses office and receives some tangible items, he won't be embarrassed in front of the class and he can receive help.

I like your idea of having a conversation with the parents, but I do not think that should be the first step taken. I think planning a health lesson or possibly talking with the individual student might be a better first approach to the topic. If after these steps, nothing is changing, then I might involve the parents. I would make sure that they knew I was not insulting their culture, but that in America it is important to maintain personal hygiene.

I agree some type of mini lesson should be taught in regards to respectful behavior. I did not think of the parent conference to begin with but I do think it would prove beneficial in this case. The teacher would need to be careful of how they talked in regards to the child's home culture versus the American expectation. It is important to embrace their culture without pushing the American culture at them too quickly.

I agree, I would involve the parents before talking about this directly to the student. The teacher isn't 100% on the beliefs of the student, therefore doesn't know if the odor is due to a cultural belief. I would talk with the parents before bringing the conversation up to the student. It is good to have all the details before making the situation any worse for the student.

Thank you for this. Talking to the parents is necessary because the child needs their help and support.

I hadn't thought of bringing in the nurse (only the counselor), but this is an excellent idea. I also think that having a face-to-face meeting first (rather than a letter) is a better choice. Like you say, I'm not sure the child needs to be involved because it might cause him to retreat after he has made so much progress (making friends, participating in class, etc.).

I think this would be a great idea. I never thought of bringing the nurse into the situation. They would be able to explain hygiene to the parents. Asking them who they want to talk to the child is also a good idea. They may not know how to explain the situation and would rather have the nurse do it.

I definitely agree with the last part, first, the students should be told to not pick on other children, and to treat everyone with kindness.

I agree with this solution. There are many reasons why a student might "stink," it would be best to inform the parents just like the solution said to just let them know the situation. I also love the idea of educating students on bullying and culture.

Great point on addressing the classmates first! They should understand that no matter what, it is not okay to make fun a child because of their smell. Once the "picking" is under control, it may be easier to address the problem.

I think you are right that the other students need to be addressed first. What they are saying is unnecessary and unkind. Approaching the situation this way with the parents is also wise. You are right, they should definitely know what is going on at school and be given the opportunity to respond appropriately. It also will be a respectful way to broach the subject of hygiene with the family.

If I were in this situation, I would do exactly this.

I believe going to the parents is the first thing to do. You want to ensure that you do not offend the child by speaking to him or her about hygiene without parents present. If you do a lesson on hygiene, the other students will know the reason for the lesson and this will more than likely contribute to the students making fun of the child.

Laura, I like your idea of doing a mini lesson to teach the student how to take care of his body. Contacting the parents is also an option, and I like how you suggested to approach the subject to make it more positive.

I think it is best to contact the parents in this situation as well as conduct the lesson on hygiene. I like how you said to focus on stating that you have the best interest of the child in mine. This helps the parents know that you care about their child and that you are coming from a good place.

I think you need to go to his parents before conferencing with the student about this issue at school. The student would likely go home and tell his parents and such actions could anger them. Always try to develop and maintain a good working relationship with your parents and situations like this one could ruin such a relationship.

I love your solution for this problem! I think that having the students draw pictures about how they take care of themselves after going over the hygiene is very important! You are able to see what he does daily to take care of himself can help you to see what might be missing. Meeting with the child individually is also important because you do not want to put the student on blast in front of the entire classroom. I also think that meeting with the parents is crucial. They will be able to give other insight as well. I love how you discussed asking the parents about if the student has had any issues with students in the classroom and then leading into how or what could make it better. During this time I think it is important to remain sensitive to the child's needs, feelings, and if there is a cultural belief.

I agree, I feel like it is best to address the situation with a mini-lesson for the whole class, rather than singling him out. Body odor is a universal problem with children from all cultures, and sometimes they just need to know the knowledge about body changes and cleanliness. I like your idea about having the students journal or draw pictures. Meeting with students 1:1 during Writer's Workshop would not be anything out of the ordinary, so it wouldn't bring about any unnecessary attention to that specific student.

I love the idea of using this as a teaching point for the entire class rather than singling him out. However, let's be honest. If you are smelling the child, the other students probably are too. It is important that students do not have the lesson and immediately point fingers and giggle because they've smelled this child too. I would first and foremost talk to the parents and then give a lesson. Why not be open about the situation and provide learning opportunities about other countries at this time. Hygiene in our country is different than other countries and students can be told this!

This is an amazing solution. I never would have thought about doing a mini lesson on hygiene, however, I think this would be a great way of helping him without calling him out. I do think that this is a sensitive subject and think that the teacher should consider alternate ways of perusing the issue.

I like your idea of leading the parent conference by asking if their child has shared any concerns with them. Usually, if the child is being picked on, he will have already shared this with his parents. I agree with you that, if the conversation is approached from a place of respect and care, then it doesn't have to be an uncomfortable, negative thing. Ultimately, both the teacher and the parents want what is best for the student, so it makes sense to be open and honest and work together for a solution.

I agree that a mini hygiene lesson would be a great way to address the issue at hand. In this lesson, I believe that the teacher should also address the class as a whole the appropriate way to address peers who may have these issues. I also like your idea of leading a parent conference by asking if the parents if their child has mentioned any issues; this allows the parents to open up and for the teacher to address the issue head on.

I want to agree with your solution but parts of it make me disagree. I feel that by doing the lesson many questions and concerns (that you likely aren't prepared for) could arise and create more than one issue. Many different cultures and races go about hygiene and care differently and if you get a group of elementary students together to hash them out and talk about them I'm sure new information will be exchanged and judgments will be dished out. Understandings could vary and complaints or concerns will likely come from parents in days to follow.

I think having a lesson about hygiene is a good idea as long as it does not seem completely out of place with the remainder of your lessons. I would not want to randomly hold this lesson, because then other students would probably catch onto the real reason behind the lesson. Instead, figure out a way to make the lesson fit in with a health topic. Once you read through the student's journal, you will have a better idea of the parent support at home and how to address the issue with the parents. I do not believe I would discuss this with the student prior to talking with the parents.

I lesson on hygiene is important and can be incorporated with another lesson. It may embarrass him or he may be able to understand and correct the issue. The kids would stop teasing him and things would improve. Have a cultures lesson along the way as well for all the students so he can be familiar with out differences as well.

I like the idea of a mini lesson on hygiene; however, if it is unrelated to the subject area then there is high possibility that could produce bullying. I can see students drawing the student in their picture or murmuring comments under their breath. Nevertheless, it would be a good idea to see what his daily routine is before speaking with his parents.

I think a lesson about hygiene would be a great idea. Something short and sweet would get the point across and the student could make their own conclusion about we they wanted to do about the situation.

I believe the best way would be to meet with his parents. I wouldn't do the mini lesson because it seems like it would single him out since he's the only "smelly kid" in the class. The other students would probably catch on that the lesson is about him which may cause them to make fun of him even more.

I would definitely be careful about having a lesson on hygiene, especially if the other students have started noticing that he has body odor. Prior to having a hygiene lesson, I would make sure the student or the parents have had a conversation with the counselor. I just feel that this is a situation in which the child's well-being has to be considered.

This is an excellent idea! All students, particularly elementary students who have bodies that are changing and developing, need reminding of proper hygiene techniques. I'm not sure that you need as in-depth of an activity/assignment as you describe, but I think some sort of mini-lesson on hygiene would remind students and not "call out" the new student.

I like the idea of having a health lesson on hygiene. If you are completing this type of lesson with the whole class, it may not be as embarrassing for the student. I also like the idea of conferencing with the students to go over good hygiene habits.

I really like your idea of having a mini-lesson on personal hygiene and have them write in a journal. I feel that this will give you a really good idea of where he came from.

I think that it is a great idea to involve the whole class in this issue. I'm sure at some point they are all going to need to experience this conversation. I think you also made a good point by asking what students could do to even further have good hygiene. By having a whole group conversation, you are not pointing out just one child. If this solution does not work, then you must contact the child or his parents directly.

I think that a mini lesson on hygiene would be a great way. Maybe the child would realize that he smells a little and address the issue himself.

If the other students in the class notice the smell, I do not think that a lesson on hygiene is a good idea. It seems to point out the obvious fact that the child does not shower and puts him at risk for more ridicule.

Is it necessary to discuss hygiene with all the students not to single out the student that smells? What if you simply tell the student about his or her hygiene and try to help them out first hand after reaching out to the parents? There are many different ways to go about this issue. The problem is thinking of which way to first address it.

I do not think this solution is the best, because other students could know that the mini lesson is directed at this particular student.

I agree with Michael and a few other people who have commented the same thing: While this idea has good intentions, it is obvious that this is in response to the student in question, and could backfire and contribute to the student being bullied.

I think it is also a good idea to do a mini-lesson, this way you can inform the whole class instead of singling out the student.

I like your idea about the nurse and informing everyone in the classroom about good hygiene, but I don't agree (respectfully) that the teacher should not tell the parents about their child being made fun of. I think if you kept that part out, it might seem as if the teacher is complaining. I think the parents need to know why it's happening. I think the teacher needs to inform them that he or she does not put up with people making fun of him, but they need to know the reason behind the whole conversation. I think if it is done respectfully it will turn out okay.

I think it is important to be open and honest about what is going on in class, so as a part of the situation, I would find it necessary to let the parent's know that the students in class are behaving in a negative manner. If the odor is creating a class disruption, then it must be addressed, and I am sure the parents would appreciate the openness and honesty coming from you. Your purpose is not to hurt or insult the student or parents, but to help them better acclimate themselves to the new cultural and academic environment.

I'd do the same thing. It is a sensitive subject.

I also agree that telling the parents that other students are making fun of him is a bad idea. I like the idea of the nurse coming in and doing the mini lesson. That way it is addressing all of the students and not just that one student.

I agree; it is imperative that the parents be informed of the issue. I believe it is best for the teacher to inform the parents that it is just an atypical odor because I would not want to insult the parents by insinuating that they don't have good hygiene. As the teacher I would approach the parents in person about the issue without notifying the student to ensure that he doesn't get embarrassed. However, I would assure the parents that you are willing to assist them in the matter in any way possible.

I like your idea about conducting a class on personal health. I think this would benefit all students. I do not agree with your position that the parents should not be told that their child is being made fun of. I think the parents need to be informed of this so they can make a decision that takes all factors into account. They may be upset that their child is being made fun of, but they have no grounds to be mad about the teacher not doing anything. The teacher should intervene in the bullying situation and talk to the parents.

I agree that a note home could easily be misinterpreted. A face to face conference is a better route to ensure that the parents understand that you are only trying to look out for the best interest of their child and their transition into the classroom. The child seems to be enjoyed himself so far, and I would hate to seem him start to back track.

I agree that it would be difficult to set a good tone with a letter, and this is not a situation where you want to risk offending or embarrassing the parents or the student.

I agree that a face-to-face conference would be much more personal and sensitive that a note sent home about the issue. It is totally possible that the parents might bring up the issue first. Maybe their child has come home and complained about other kids picking on them and they would like to figure out how to help the situation. This would be a perfect opportunity to elaborate on the issue and emphasize the importance of hygiene in the American culture.

I agree that a face to face conference is the best solution to the situation. The parents should be willing to help if it is effecting the child's success at school. I do not believe that a whole class discussion on the issue would be best because the students would know who you are directing the lesson at if they are already making fun of that student. However, I would speak to the student individually.

A read aloud lesson may be a good idea. However, I would see how the conference goes with the parents prior to enacting this lesson as it may only draw attention toward the student. As a general reminder, I would certainly remind students that respect in the classroom is mandatory and that bullying/teasing won't be tolerated.

This is a touch situation. I'm not sure that a parent conference is the first step I would take. Who knows as to why the boy has a body odor? It could be cultural, or it could be just because he hasn't been explicitly taught about personal hygiene. I have an 11 year old son, and hygiene is very important in this household, but it is still like pulling teeth to get him to shower or brush his teeth at times. Back to the boy in the story, if it is a cultural issue, and there is a language barrier, even with the use of a translator that conversation could be really uncomfortable for the teacher, as well as the parents. I'm thinking a mini-lesson with the whole class might be the most comfortable way to approach it, and then if that doesn't work, then move on the next step.

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I also think that, depending on grade level, a lesson on health and hygiene would be beneficial for this student. But because he is probably used to his smell he may think that he has an issue. I also agree that going to the school nurse and having him or her meet with you and the parents is a good idea because the parents may be more open to listening to a nurse about the issue.

I agree it may be beneficial for the teacher to get administration or other party involved. I am also concerned sometimes that when you have a smelly kid, there may be some neglect at home. As a teacher, I am also concerned about the safety and well being of the children in my care. By making the administration involved and having the parents come in for a conference, you can get a better idea of the home life and why the child has an odor.

I agree that this is a touchy subject to approach. Teaching the students about personal hygiene all together would be a great idea. Showing the entire class that taking baths is just one part of taking care about yourself. As a teacher, I would have to make sure that more teasing does not come from this lesson. All students would ultimately benefit from a health lesson.

I also think that the school counselor and nurse are valuable resources. I also think that having the class learn about hygiene and how different cultures handle hygiene in their own way is a really good idea as well. In a lot of schools the nurse will actually come to classrooms for presentations and discussions about hygiene and different hygiene products such as deodorant.

I'm not sure if I would personally send the student to the school nurse or counselor in this situation based on the student's age. The student is only in elementary school and therefore may not fully understand why he or she is being singled out in this situation. If the student was in middle school or high school, I would definitely ask these people to talk to the student.

Putting the situation in the counselor's hands is probably best. The student has much less contact with the counselor and wont see him/her everyday and be reminded of the embarrassment. Also, counselors are more trained to handle uncomfortable situations.

The counselors at schools are rarely used in the magnitude that they should be and this is a great example of when they should be called in for help. When dealing with a sensative situation like this, counselors will be able to have the conversations on culture and hygene without it being awkwards for the teacher/student relationship.

Josh, I like the way you framed the parent meeting as an information session and not necessarily meeting to fix a problem. I think it is important for the parents to understand the culture in which they are currently living and let them decide on what to do about showers.

I appreciate your approach. I would also bring forth a solution to the comments from the other students so the child is more comfortable in class as well.

I agree with you that sitting silently and not addressing the problem would be a huge disservice for all involved. I also feel the other students inappropriate comments need to be dealt with as well.

I think you offer a great solution. I especially like how you are not presenting the situation to the parents like it is a problem that needs to be fixed. This is, after all, their culture and the way that they have lived for many years. It's not an issue of cleanliness or germs to them; in fact, they're probably relatively healthy people. It is something that might need to be discussed though, just to keep the parents informed about how their child is being treated and to let them know what you're doing in the classroom to address those issues. I think open communication and dialogue are key to any parent-teacher relationship, but especially in a case like this where this family is new to the culture and they're trusting you to take care of their child.

I think this is a great suggestion. School counselors are a get resource for immigrant children, and in this situation delicacy is a must. Perhaps consulting the health teacher would be helpful as well since they teach students about hygiene.

I agree that the school counselor would be a great source to discuss the situation. Within our school, the school counselor is also the person who helps students transitioning into our school as an immigrant or ESOL student. The counselor may already have a good rapport with the student and parents including him/her in the conversation could be beneficial.

I don't think it is fair to have the student change his cultural ways just because others are uncomfortable with his smell. American students should be taught that there are other cultures who find this is normal behavior and that they must deal with it. I think getting control of the class behavior issues will stop a lot of the giggling and jokes on the new student.

Yes, American students should be made aware of other cultures but these are elementary school children. They do not comprehend that level of understanding. Elementary school children should be taught other cultures but can not be expected to automatically respond to different ways with acceptance. This must be a taught response.

I suggested a similar solution. I think having a "friendly" class discussion would be helpful. Contacting the parents is also a good idea I considered. The parents may understand the situation and can help their child. They may even be going through a similar situation.

Getting control of elementary kids is difficult without anything unusual going on. I believe that having a class discussion will only bring the issue more to the forefront and put the student on display for his "issues" more so that y handling it through more private affairs.

I think that your solution reflects that importance of remembering that the feelings of the student should be our biggest concern. If the teacher in this situation tells the student that he smells offensively, the teacher may become, in the eyes of the student, the biggest and most hurtful bully of all. Every student has some feature that could be singled out to make fun of by other students, if they chose to be cruel. The lesson that we need to teach our students is not that we all need to be perfect or the same but that we all need to be kind to one another.

Asking other teachers about possible solutions is a good idea, but I feel that informing the parents about their student's hygiene is important.

I definitely agree with you in hesitating to contact the parent in this situation. This topic can be very offensive, and consulting with co workers is a great idea. I also agree, and posted this in my solution as well, that all students should be reminded to make others feel welcome and respect all cultures that are represented within the class.

I understand where you are coming from. The students feelings should be put first. I would definitely speak to the other students that are making fun of him. I would tell them that they are being disrespectful and need to view the student's side of the story before they judge someone. If the student became angry, I would have to contact the parents and discuss what is happening in class. The parents may not notice what is going on, but I would be willing to take that leap to help the student become dis-encouraged about learning.

While I agree with you that contacting the parents may be the most difficult solution to this problem, I think it is necessary in order to ultimately help the child. The caregivers have to be contacted if something is going to change outside the school setting, which is where the problem is beginning. I think the collaboration with other teachers would be a great way to gain insightful ideas on how to reach a solution with the cultural beliefs in mind.

Hygiene is vital!

I agree with you that we should always teach our classroom is safe for everyone!

I had not thought about having the nurse tell the students about hygiene. Depending on how the information is delivered, this could be a very good way to inform the student of what he or she may need to do.

The parents should be informed about their son being teased. There could be an underlying health issue that is causing the body odor.

Your solution is very thorough and I completely agree. I think starting with a lesson about hygiene would be a great and also including information about other cultures ways of dealing with hygiene. I also think that having lessons about bullying is a great and helpful intervention in this situation as well.

I also think that a lesson on hygiene is the first step that I would take. Thee P.E. teacher at our school usually gives lesson during their health time on such issues. I would mention the problem to the P.E. teacher so she could make sure she covers this during health.

Both of your suggestions are wonderful. Incorporating the PE teacher as well as discussing hygiene will both help to stop the bullying and disrespect. I also would first make sure the student understood what was happening and that I would take care of it.

I didn't think about incorporating the help of the P.E. teacher, but this is a great idea as well. In this manner, all students would be addressed and the primary teacher would have a little distance from the issue of hygiene. This type of health lesson would be beneficial to all of the students, not just the new student from Europe.

I really like your solution and think it would be beneficial. I also think that contacting the P.E. teacher would be a great step as well. Our P.E. teacher also teaches health lessons. I think that informing all of the students at one time would help instead of singling the migrant student out. If this solution does not work then contacting the parents would be the next step I would take.

I definitely agree with you on the students being allowed to make fun of others. This type of behavior should be dealt with immediately. I also think it would be important to try and gain the student's trust and talk with him to see what is going on and if there is a cultural reason for his smell. I also think the parents should be informed of how their son is being treated, but it should be done in a very respectful way that lets the parents know that the teacher has their son's well-being in mind.

I agree with you completely about setting the ground rules of not allowing the students to make fun of other students. However, I feel like it would embarrass the student if you made it a group discussion. I think if you pulled in how different cultures believe different things, it would help that student know you understand his culture and give him the confidence he needs.

Great idea about getting the administration involved. A teacher would never want to go into such a touchy situation alone. You are right, respect is the key here and it needs to happen in a respectful way. The teacher needs to make sure why the child is coming to school like that. It might be a cultural thing, but it could also be that he doesn't have the means to smell better.

Your solution is very similar to mine. I personally would not approach the child directly with this because I do not want the child to feel singled out and feel as though you are agreeing with the students that are picking on them. It is important for the teacher to discuss the hygiene of a child with the parents. The school may also decide to offer up solution for the parents and the nurse can help to teach the parents and the child about personal hygiene.

I would also include the school nurse and the counselor. The nurse could provide information on the health concerns relating to the child's hygiene. This way if future problems develop with the child, the parents cannot say they were not informed of the risks of not having their son take a shower. Especially since liability always fall on the school system.

I think that involving school personnel such as the school nurse and counselor are good ideas as well. As a concerted effort, all parties—the teacher, parents, school nurse, and counselor could come up with a solution to the dilemma. The nurse could give her opinions from a medical standpoint, while the counselor could share information that would encourage maintaining good psychological health for the student. The goal is for the student to excel at school, so it would be best if everyone involved kept the student's best possible outcome in mind.

I agree that speaking to the parents is a better option. Doing research on the European culture could help the students gain an understanding of the similarities and differences in our cultures.

Good ideas! I really think the conference, with counselor present, would really help the situation. This would also be a great time to discuss multicultural differences with the class!

I agree with regular communication with the child's parents. The one thing I have found out that will make a parent madder than fire and reluctant to see your point of view, and assist you with a problem or concern about their child, is the lack of communication. I also agree that the other students need to be educated about bullying and the serious implications on the bully and the victim.

I agree that the parents are likely to understand the situation. Being in a new culture will require some adjustments and hopefully the parents would be thankful that the teacher brought this to their attention.

Using others in the school is a great idea. If the teacher address the issue it may be found as disrespectful but by using other staff members such as the nurse to help with this odor issue is a good starting point if you are worried about upsetting the parents or the student.

This solution is great, should a teacher decide they have no other remedies or other alternatives have failed. It minimizes the discomfort and embarrassment for the student by having the talk with an adult who they do not interact with daily and who specializes in the field of health.

I think that you made a good point about having someone besides the teacher teaching the student such as the nurse address the issue, so student want feel awkward or angry with his teacher. At my school our P.E. teacher is generally helpful in providing hygiene lessons, so you may see if it can be fit in during a health lesson.

I have had the school counselor come to our class to talk about hygiene and it has helped tremendously. School counselors are trained professional to handle this type of situation without hurting students' feelings.

I really like that idea! I thought about involving the counselor but didn't think about the school nurse. Maybe because I teach high school where there isn't a school nurse! But I do think the school nurse should be able to have a conversation with the student/family to let them know what is going on and why it is an issue.

I also think the Nurse would be a good option.

I agree that this will be a risk and might seem disrespectful at first. But, hopefully if the teacher were to bring in a counselor and possibly the school nurse to explain the importance of hygiene and that the kids may begin to bully their child they may understand.

You and I have very similar opinions. I thought that the counselor's involvement would also help ease the tension in this situation as well. In addition, your idea about a parent conference is exactly what I see fit. As always, we want the parents to know that we have their child's best interest at heart!

I think this is a great idea! I suggested bringing in the school nurse to have him/her explain the importance of hygiene and health in a close knit classroom. I think bringing in the counselor to perhaps be a mediator and positive speaker would help greatly!

I agree, I believe having the support from the school counselor and nurse will help resolve some of this issue. It can also benefit several of the other students if the counselor did an entire lesson for the whole class. You can never know too much about having good hygiene habits.

I think a face to face conference is the best route, but I think the including the school counselor is an even better idea! They may be able to bring ideas from a different stand point and make the parents feel that this is only an effort to help and not over step.

My solution involved a face to face meeting with the parents but I did not think to include the school counselor. I think having the counselor there would be extremely helpful as they have been trained to handle delicate situations such as this one.

I would include all resources that were available to me. The school nurse, the guidance counselor, the parents and any mini lessons on hygiene that I could incorporate into the curriculum.

Overall, I agree with your statement that the teacher should not approach this issue by asking the student to change his or her body odor. However, I feel like the parents should be made aware of the situation and should handle it internally. I like your idea about talking to the students about making fun of other students and the affects that could come from their actions.

I agree with you that the parents should not be contacted as a first attempt. I would watch to see whom in particular was teasing the child and then address those students individually. Explaining to them that when we go to another culture, there are some things that are going to be different. Great solution!

It is really important for the parents to know. They need to aware because the child maybe being bullied at school. Allow the parents to correct the issue at home if it needs to be corrected.

I couldn't agree more!! This is definitely not ethical for the teacher to propose the family change their way of living...especially for the child. It was probably hard enough for the student to leave his home and friends and come to a completely different culture. He probably thinks some of the other students smell bad. (And honestly, some adults smell bad from all the perfume and cologne they wear.) Assessing the behaviors of the other students teasing him is the best solution to start with. I would definitely do this privately with each individual student.

I don't think it is unethical to let them know what is going on. I would not tell them they "must" change their ways, but would just let them know what is going on so that they can make an informed decision. If they then decide to continue with their cultural ways, that is fine. I would let them know that I have/will talk with the class about their reactions and behaviors. But the fact is this is something the Eastern European family will have to deal with outside of the classroom as well. If nothing else, I think the parents at least deserve to know what the class's initial reaction was and how you have dealt with it and ask them for their input to see if there is anything further they would like you to do.

I do agree with you that students cannot change their ethical ways. I do not think that by giving the student a lesson on personal hygiene will change their culture ways. The advice that I give to the student does not mean that they "must" change their appearance or daily ritual. I do agree that the students should not execute inappropriate behavior. Teaching the students about different cultures would be a great idea in general.

I didn't consider the gender of the student. That is a good point to make. Certainly, it is a much easier and more effective conversation when the teacher and the student are of the same gender. I also agree that the issue can be tied up with socio-economic issues as well. Teachers need to be sensitive of both cultural and economic issues when it comes to body odor.

I completely agree that this is a sensitive subject and that the steps taken should be very careful. I like that you would talk to the counselor first to talk about a solution. I think it is very important to talk with the other student to make sure they understand that this is not a laughing matter and that they need to be sensitive to others.

You made a great point that this could also be used as an opportunity to teach the whole class about hygiene and cleanliness- something that students that age definitely need as their bodies begin to change as they grow.

Parental involvement is always key in any "touchy" situation. First, find out the initial cause of the odor--is it really based on their culture? Ask the parents what you can do as a teacher to help, but also convey your concern for the child in terms of their social environment. If you can allow the parents to see your concern, I'm sure they would be much more open and accepting of your comments about the odor.

I agree that talking to his parents would be a good idea. I would also agree with teaching the class about staying clean, but I wonder how you would teach that without making it obvious as to why…suggestions?

I like that you brought of the point of discussing the health benefits of bathing regularly. I think this is a great way to teach about the importance of bathing without them feeling like you are telling them what to do.

This sounds interesting. The teacher might get the necessary information about the cultural aspects of showering and be able to address the situation from a different point of view. Educators do need to make sure that for the sake of all stakeholders, they need to make sure that they are respectful, sensitive, and understanding of the students situations.

Considering the types of food the student might eat could be a reason for the smell. Helping the student understand why the other kids are being cruel is also important.

I haven't thought of that! Conducting a bit of research before entering a meeting could be helpful! It would tell you if you needed to simply state the facts, or ease your way into it.

I think that having the counselor speak with the other students about cultural differences is a great idea. You do not want to embarrass the student in any way by singling him or his culture out. If the counselor gave an overview of differences in many different cultures then hopefully it would help the other students understand, and encourage them to change their behavior to the new student.

You make a great point by saying that the smell was not due to neglect. It is important that as teachers we are aware of what is going on with our students and being able to identify the differences between neglect and cultural differences in this case is important.

I agree with promoting a safe environment for all of our students. It is very sad how cruel children can be and you would hate that one of your students come to school with fear or anxiety because of other children in the classroom. Having and maintaining that open communication with all parents allow for a smooth and supportive year.

That is a great suggestion about talking with the ESOL teacher. I also think teaching personal hygiene to the entire class is a good idea. This would teach the student the American norms. You could also incorporate dental hygiene and give out samples of all of the products.

I really like the idea of talking to the ESOL counselor. She might have a better way of handling this issue. I think it is a great idea also to talk to the class about good hygiene. That way the student can become familiar with the American culture to bath daily and use deodorant.

I really like your suggestion about going to the parents first. This is a great idea to be up front and honest about what is going on. It seems that his father is an educated person so he should understand that even though it may be cultural that kids do get teased about things. The child's parents may not have realized how different things are in the classroom and they may be open to fix the problem.

I agree that the parents should be spoken with rather than the student. The child is following what he has been taught and may not understand that body odor is not considered an acceptable thing in America. He is already being embarrassed by the students making fun of him so I feel that letting the parents address the situation with the student is better.

Definitely. The class does need to be addressed. They are laughing at something they have no knowledge about. So the teacher should surely let them know where he stands as far as bully and teasing goes. Again, the teacher should also go forward to address the situation at hand. Sometimes bad smells make others very sick (I know it happens with me). So perhaps a conference with the parents is necessary and the nurse should be included to discuss health concerns not only for the new student but for the others in class as well.

Good idea on having the students researching different cultures. Maybe creating compare and contrast of their culture with the one that they researched.

I agree that a parent teacher conference is probably the best way to initiate the conversation. It can be extremely sensitive and insulting to parents if an issues that is as personal as this is addressed via written note or email. I think that sensitivity can be best preserved in a face to face meeting and discussion.

i think that having a conference about the student in general (academic progress, adjusting to new school, etc) and incorporating the body odor issue is a great idea. I think it is also a good idea to tell them that you have noticed the odor and so have other students and you have addressed the issue with the other students. This will insure them that he is not being bullied at this point. Hopefully then the parents will take the next steps to preventing the smell.

Your idea to send home a concern letter is good and that you tie in that you understand it may be a cultural issue makes it even better. Make sure that it is worded in a positive way though, because depending on the parents, it could be seen as disrespectful or rude. Also, be cautious in how you approach the lesson on other cultures and make sure it is not just centered on "smells" or body odor. Other students will put the pieces together and it could lead to an increased amount of bullying, because they will see him as a snitch or tattletale.

I think it would be a very good idea to talk with the counselor and get some advice. You want to make the student comfortable when you have to talk with them about the situation. I also like that you said to collaborate with other teachers because the is a very large chance that someone else has been through that situation, and could help shed some light on what to do.

I think setting up a conference with the parents is a great idea. I was thinking after I pressed "submit" on my response that perhaps contacting the parents and explaining the situation would also be a good solution. Certainly the parents would try to help their child "fit in" to American schools.

I like the idea of having the school nurse come into the classroom to teach a lesson on hygiene. You are right that there are likely other students in the classroom who are beginning to undergo the hormonal changes that need deodorant and I think that the school nurse would likely know the best way to discuss this with the students.

I also think that it is much better to talk with the parents about this issue instead of sending a note home. This would require a conversation, not a one-ended letter that the parents read. I am sure the parents would probably have questions about how their child was getting picked on. Then during this conversation the parent can switch gears and talk about how good their child is doing in other areas like other people's solutions have suggested.

I agree that the conversation surrounding this topic should be totally centered around the student's feelings and ability to succeed. Having a bad body odor will not be a problem only in elementary school, he will have to deal with it for the rest of his life.

I totally agree about complete conversation with the parents. It's also a good point about focusing on the child's well being in the classroom. That is the most important thing for us as teachers to communicate with parents is we are there to make sure the students have the most successful year they can.

Tolerance and respect is a large part of this issue. Students need to understand one another and a conference with the parents is very important too. I agree that the parents need to know what is going on in the classroom and should be aware of the situation in case they see any changes in the students behavior that could be related to depression.

I think discussing health concerns would definitely be a great idea. And too, in their country, they may not have the various outbreak of diseases (staph) that could very well be contracted through uncleanliness. The teacher could definitely have the nurse discuss the various issues and health problems that could come about. I never thought about addressing the issue in terms of health concerns and I tend to be OCD when it comes to hand washing and clean bodies.

Open communication is of upmost importance in this situation. Speaking with the parents will inform them of their child's situation. It is possible the parents haven't considered the differences in hygiene care as being an issue in their child's classroom. However, care must be taken not to offend their culture and beliefs. Involving a school counselor may be helpful since they have proper training in dealing with sensitive issues.

Right, I believe supplying the child and parents with the information is all you can really do. A parent is going to raise their child how they want to. At least you did you're part to make them aware of the situation and what kids are saying/will say in the future.

I agree--involving the parents is the best thing you can do. However, I wouldn't send a note home because the parents might not understand or know how to react to it. An in-person parent conference is the best way to go, so that you can fully explain your side of things and also your concern without demeaning their cultural beliefs and patterns.

I agree that the parents should be contacted because the child may not realize the other students are talking about him. I suggested a call, but an in person conference is also a good suggestion. It would also give the teacher a reference for the level of English the parents speak and understand which will help with communication in the future.

I like how you mention the potential future problems the student may have because of their personal hygiene. Again, you are looking towards the student's best interest in mind. You are not trying to attack them or their culture to make them feel bad. As a teacher you are just trying to make sure that the student is as successful as possible. The truth is simple. In this country and in this culture body odor is something that is looked down upon. Now whether or not this is fair or right is not really the question. You are judged on your personal hygiene. If the parents want their child to be as successful as possible in the real world then this is something that needs to be addressed. If the parents want their child to strictly grow up and remain in their culture and never really venture outside of their community then that is different. But with how global of a world and economy we have today, that becomes more and more difficult.

I would not mention it to the student without consulting my department head for advice. Sometimes this is a situation in which the counselor should handle the situation. Although the student is from Eastern Europe there may be other issues at hand. As Cristina Igoa states in her book The Inner World of the Immigrant Child, he may be in the silent stage and become more withdrawn with a conversation of his body odor.

I think that a conference with parents and student is the ideal solution. However, parent/teacher conferences can be difficult to set up and time consuming. I would not proceed to this step unless the issue of the body odor was in danger of causing a significant classroom disruption. Conversations with students about good behavior should precede a parent/teacher conference.

Susan, I didn't think about the parents, but your right...addressing the odor with the child could be beneficial to the parents as well. Great point! I agree with you that this is a situation that will take tact. Feeding of your suggestion, I might tell the parents that some students in the classroom were sensitive to all kinds of smells. I would tell them that uncommon smells make it difficult for them to focus and then list examples such as perfume, exotic air freshners, etc. This way it sounds like you are having to accommodate the needs of others students, rather than out right telling the parents that their child has a bad odor.

I agree that the first thing that needs to be done in this situation is to address the insensitive laughter. Sometimes students don't think about the effect their actions will have on others. Reminding students that you expect them to be kind to one another often goes a long way. Also, I agree that a call or meeting with the parents is in order. No parent wants their child to suffer or be teased. Letting them know what is going on so that their child can have an easier time in school is important. IF a parent knows you care about their child it goes a long way to helping the child and to building the school-parent bridge Ioga frequently mentions in her writing.

I agree that informing the parents is important. Even if the hygiene issue is due to his culture, the parents may consider assimilating to the American culture to prevent him from being picked on. No parent wants their child to be the victim of ridicule and by being honest with them, you have placed the power back in the parents' hands.

I agree with you about talking to the parents directly and explaining what you are doing to stop the teasing. I am not even sure if I would mention body odor and just say that the students have noticed that he smells different because it might be his food or soap or some other source.

I think that kids will be kids and no matter how many times you talk to them about a situation like that they will wither take it the wrong way or just not understand at all. I also think the correct thing to do in this situation is to get the counselor involved.

I agree that tackling this situation head on is the right avenue to take. I believe that the hygiene lesson and newsletter is a wonderful idea. However, if after the mini lesson and sending home the newsletter things do not improve, I would definitely call for a parent/teacher conference. Because we do not know the age of the elementary school child, this body odor could be a medical sign of distress within the body. Suggesting that the child be examined by a doctor could help rule out any medical issues. Too, the doctor/nurse may help in reinforcing the healthy hygiene lesson.

Thought the note is a good idea. I feel as a meeting should be arranged. Face to face communication is so much better. A note can seem as if a teacher is trying their hardest not to avoid contact with the parents, especially since it is an issue that is hurting the child.

I would agree that face to face (or even over the phone if that couldn't be arranged) would be better, as tone and meaning of text can sometimes be misinterpreted, especially if one is not familiar with the language.

You could start with a nice letter and then arrange some type of sit-down meeting face to face with the parents and even the child and explain to them your concerns.

I am not sure if a letter would be the best option. Personally I would prefer making a direct contact with the parent because I would want this situation to be resolved immediately. I would not want to take the chance of the letter being lost or forgotten about. I would also like to have a solution to the problem as soon as I could because I would not want the issue to grow into an even bigger one. However I do like idea of being willing to explain to the students about the culture behind the smell. However depending on the age, the students may still not fully understand.

I think the letter is a good way to notify the parents of the situation and have them talk with their child about taking care of themeselves. I think it would also help to explain to the parents that the students will discuss the topic and learn about new cultures during the lesson. This will distract from pointing out certain students.

I would try to let the parents know first by sending a nice, compassionate letter home first. I would say that you realize it may be cultural, unintentional, etc. but that you are looking out for your student's well-being because you have noticed the remainder of the class reacting negatively towards the smell. I would also include in your note to the parents that you welcome their response and accept cultural differences and would be happy to explain to the class if that is the case. I would tell the parents that you are doing your best to monitor the other students' behavior to not hurt the child's feelings and that you wanted to seek their help first in dealing with this issue because you wanted to be sensitive to the student. It is important to monitor the classroom's behavior and ensure bullying/teasing is not tolerated. It would be a good idea like you mentioned to include that you are protecting their son's feelings and safety in your classroom. I think you could also mention a positive aspect in the note on how well the student is doing in the class so far. I didn't think of contacting the parents prior to the child but perhaps that is a good idea so that they can have that personal discussion with him rather than the teacher.

I personally think face to face conference or at least a phone conference with the parents would be better than a note that they could misinterpret or possibly not understand. It is less likely to have miscommunication in verbal interactions as opposed to written communication. Like others have suggested, I would invite the school nurse and counselor in to do a lesson with the whole group to avoid embarrassing the student, regardless of the reason he smells.

Meeting with the parents would be my first option. Letting the parents know you are truly concerned about their child and want whats best for him first and foremost. Let him tell describe to his parents what is happening then you can elaborate for more clarity. Let them know the counselor is available.

I think it would be best to start with a face-to-face meeting first. I think it's better to come from the point of view that the child is being picked on, which is affecting his learning. Letters can often be misinterpreted, so I think a face-to-face meeting would be better. I think it would also be a good thing to involve the counselor.

I also like the idea of letting the parents know first. I think that if you tell the student first, it could embarrass them especially if it is a new student. The student is more comfortable with his parents, so it should be something that is discussed at home.

I also agree a face to face conversation would be best but if it couldn't be arranged a letter would be acceptable. I just wouldn't want the child to have his feelings hurt because he's a little different.

I agree it is possible the parents haven't even considered that not bathing more frequently is an issue for their son. Your friends experience with the European couple is a perfect example. I can't help but wonder if the father is experiencing anything similar in his workplace. If the son is not bathing as often as he should it it certainly possible his father's bathing habits are similar. By bringing this situation to the attention of the parents may not only benefit the son, but possibly the parents as well.

Good point about food aromas. This might be a place to start when addressing this issue. I think by getting to know the student, parents, and their culture may be beneficial to figuring out the odor. Allowing the student to come earlier is a good idea as well. That issue needs to be addressed with parents first however.

That was a good point about strong odors coming from the foods they cook and eat. I think that several cultures use aromatics in thier food. Not only does the odor come from the cooking process but also many of these foods are secreted from the pores as well.

It doesn't sound like this is really a health risk. Of course, if it became a cleanliness problem in which a student had parasites, that would be another issue, and the teacher would need to investigate or involve the counselor and nurse to look into a possible situation of neglect. Based on the information we have, however, it sounds like this is just an instance of cultural difference. If the source of the smell is food, perhaps it would be a good idea to facilitate a bit more acceptance through a multicultural food day on which all of the students brought something to share from another culture.

I agree with Johnnie, I would introduce through the lesson the importance of hygiene but not directly speak to the child. He is already in a new place, school and life. It may shut him down completely.

Differences in diet can also cause changes in the smell of sweat regardless of cleanliness. For example, once I was on a kick where I was cooking a lot of green vegetables, like kale, in cumin and curry because it was a low calorie nutrient rich meal (I know some of you probably think that sounds gross but it was nutritious!). After three servings of this meal (I was on a tight budget - don't judge) I noticed a change in the smell of my sweat so I stopped eating any spices for a while. Some other foods that can change the smell of sweat include red meat, onions and garlic. These are common ingredients in a lot of American foods like spaghetti and hamburgers. Some Americans eat these foods really frequently. Apart from being unhealthy, a diet high in red meat and onions can have an unfortunate impact in the way that individual smells. My point is diet can effect smell even if a person is bathing regularly. Based on this information I agree that doing some background research on culture could be valuable before you speak with the parents. Speaking with the student and the parents is pretty essential at this point if you want to help your student be accepted and make friends. Stopping the teasing in class alone is not going to cut it.

Good point. I've seen hygiene addressed in dress codes/code of conduct manuals from schools before. I think this would be worth looking in to.

I definitely agree with you. It is important to involve administration in these kinds of matters and ask their opinion. You want the student to feel comfortable in the school and not insult their cultural background and beliefs.

I guess I look at it from my usual "can-do" approach and did not think about utilizing the nurse or counselor. Both of these would be great resources to include in the parent meeting but i still believe that the primary faciliatator should be the teacher as they will have the most contact with the student and parents. The nurse and counselor can contribute heavily to the meeting but i would not want to push the entire meeting into their hands.

I agree that contacting the nurse would be a good idea as well. I had not even thought about it, but the nurse may have valuable insight on how to approach the matter.

I did not think about the asking the school nurse to join the conversation, but she would be a great medical perspective to show the parents that the health of the student is the interest of all persons involved in this difficult issue. A straightforward approach with multiple professionals involved in the meeting will help the parents understand that the cultural outlooks are not being attacked, but rather the goal is for the student to feel comfortable in the learning environment to meet the academic goals that are explored in the classroom.

This is also a good idea. I did not think of this. Talking to the counselor and/or school nurse would look better than a teacher doing it I believe. Sometimes parents get offended by what teachers do.

I also thought about the guidance counselor. I think that this could be a great way to help you as a classroom teacher break the ice about this uneasy topic.

Yes, I agree. I think that is a great solution to take the issue to the guidance counselor or nurse. They could probably help ease the pressures of offending the kid and his family. This is such a tricky situation, but it definitely needs to be handled. The kids who are making fun of the child also need to be dealt with as well.

I agree. This is a great Consuelo issue and even a great time for a hygiene/culture lesson.

I agree that going to the school nurse and counselor with the issue would be a good idea. They probably have more experience with this type of situation and could help you find the best way to approach the situation.

I think taking the issue to the guidance counselor is a good idea because he or she may know a way to discuss the issue to the parents in the most beneficial way possible. I would also mention to the class that it is not okay to tease and pick on people, regardless of the situation.

I think it would be better to invite the counselor or nurse to the meeting with the parents. I personally would want to be part of the conference. I believe the CAP situation can work with parents along with students. I would want them to know I am concerned and willing to help any way that I can.

I also felt it was important to reprimand the teasing students, in addition to addressing the issue of cultural differences. Regardless of differences or circumstances, no child should be picked on or teased, and those that choose to do so, should be corrected.

Yes, it is important to reprimand these kids, however, it will continue then outside of the classroom. An attack on both fronts needs to happen by the teacher. The children need to be scolded, and "the smelly" kid needs to be a part of a parent conference.

Yes, the other students should be reprimanded from their poor choices. But in order to help the issue I would politely inform the parents what has been going on.

I, too, think that building rapport with the parents is invaluable. I also agree that asking the counselor, or nurse if you have one at your school, about the student would be a good starting place. However, as the teacher (who may have a very sensitive nose such as myself...who would throw up at this smell), I would have to find a resolution very quickly. In doing so, I would ask the parents to come in for a parent/teacher conference. I believe they would be "on board" with helping their child to adjust to his new setting as quickly as possible, regardless of what was required.

It could be interesting to have a discussion/lesson in class about how various topics, including hygiene and cleanliness, vary among many cultures. Maybe students could do some internet research on a number of topics and present their findings to the class.

Having a classroom might be a good way to start the conversation. Good suggestion.

It is important to adress this issue with extreme understanding and caution. It can be assumed that if the student has these hygiene issues due to cultural differences, than the parents may also have the same scent. Discussing this could easily enter the zone of inappropriateness and appear as though the teacher has poor cultural awareness. I would leave any interactions directly as a last resort.

I think you provided a good idea of having the counselor talk to the whole class about hygiene and body issues. This may help the situation to an extent and the child may understand that it is okay to bathe every day. If not, you may want to contact the parent if the bullying does not stop. I would also talk with an administrator first about contacting the parents.

I agree that the bullying students should have consequences. Including the parents in the conversation about the situation is a must.

I agree, the smell could come from the food that they may cook and eat. As you said this is an issue that needs to be handled with care. You don't want anyone to feel offended or disrespected.

I agree that meeting with the parents in person is preferable to sending a note or email. Even if the parents speak English, meeting face-to-face would help alleviate miscommunication that could be caused by language or cultural misunderstandings.

I had a similar situation in my classroom. I had a student that came to school smelling and he was always dirty. However, his was not a cultural issue. I would often help him clean his feet and give him socks to wear with his shoes. This was a hard topic to bring up with parents and unfortunately it was a mater of socks and clean clothes or food and movies to watch.

Having a strong relationship with the parents is going to be very important for all partied involved. Getting the school nurse and counselor involved with talking to the new student as well as the ESOL teacher will help address the problem as well.

The teacher should inform the school counselor about the child's issues. I believe the counselor can discuss with the entire class about the importance of having good hygiene. During this time, the teacher can also discuss the importance and compare and contrast the different hygiene methods that other cultures have. This issue may also have nothing to do with the child's culture but rather he doesn't enjoy taking baths and the parents are unaware of this.

I agree the school counselor should help out in this matter. I don't know if I would do a whole class lesson because they may make the matter worse. But some one-on-one time with the child may be more beneficial.

Doing a mini lesson and talking with the class as a whole on ways we can improve taking care of ourselves would be a safe way to discuss this in class. As the teacher you could even say that you don't always bathe everyday, but you know it's important to shower every other day, brush your teeth, floss, brush your hair and other things for the students to listen to. This way you can emphasize how bathing is important and it should be done often without pointing him out.

Talking to the student about hygiene is a great idea, but I would have someone else present like the nurse or the counselor present. One of these individuals need to be present because you don't want the child to think that you're picking on him.

Well thinking just because the father is education and professional automatically makes him understand, I believe is stereotyping the father. I believe immigrants will stick up for their culture and will seldom disown their own culture to fit in. I could only think about my undergrad years at Fort Valley State University. I had two foreign professors that had body odor that was extraneous. They had been living in the country for years and one of the professors explained to the class that he takes bathes but he doesn't use toilettes. He stated that he was from England and due to the cold climate; people usually bathe every other day. I could only think, " you are now in Middle Georgia where it is no longer cold and the humidity is scorching in the summertime". He also explained that he used natural products for toilettes and the Americanized toilettes are considered in his culture to be harmful chemicals. He showed the class the supplements he used in place of our common toilettes. I believe calling a meeting with the parents with assistances from other professional staff members is key. I wouldn't just call a meeting about the kid's body odor, but I would addressed it as point that needs to be discussed. As an educator the teacher needs to research more about the student's culture and beliefs.

Just because his father is educated he will not understand. In fact, I think he will be highly offensive. If he understood, he would already be taking care of the body odors. When people come from different counties and backgrounds, most of the time they are not willing to change. I would not call his father.

I agree with your comments. The teacher most definitely needs to set up a conference with the parents and discuss how to handle the situation.

I agree that I would address the issue of bullying with the class. You might could even do a mini-lesson on how to accept people of different cultures. I would try handling it in class first, but if the problem kept going I could recommend calling the parents like you suggest.