The problem is with the student, a female in the second grade. Her parents were divorced within the past two years, and she lives with her father. She has a teenage brother and a teenage sister who don't really care much for her well-being, and who are out of control, according to the father. The student in question is below grade level in all academic areas, and she has low self-esteem. She already has severe attendance problems within just the first month of school. (Obviously, there are other issues here; they are already being addressed.)
Other students in the classroom avoid sitting with her because of her body odor. What's a tactful way of approaching the father with this situation ?
2006-09-26 15:24:21 · 14 answers · asked by Michigan 3 in Education & Reference ➔ Teaching
Thanks to all for your considerate answers! You've included great advice and points in all of them, and I've already used some of them in taking immediate action via email with the school nurse.
2006-09-26 18:03:19 · update #1
Does your school employ a Home Liason? If so, ask that person to intercede on your behalf. It's their job. However, if you do not have that luxury, perhaps teach a unit on personal hygiene and have the student keep track of how often they brush their teeth, wash their hands, BATHE, etc......Perhaps the father will get the drift. Also, you should be able to enlist the help of the school nurse too. Good luck!
2006-09-26 15:30:36 · answer #1 · answered by Taffi 5 · 4⤊ 0⤋
i am a teacher too, and my suggestion would be to do a brief one-week unit on personal hygiene. this way, the student gets the information without the embarrassment of being singled out. Each day, discuss with the whole class different things we must do to be clean and healthy. If it's still an issue after this, then talk to the prinicpal about how to approach the parents.
IF you end up meeting with the father, avoid an awkward situation by sanwiching your concern between positive things about the student. Don't make it obvious that the main reason for the conference is to discuss poor hygiene. Fo example, start with, "Suzie's doing really well at attending in class; she is so focused and motivated! A concern I have that we can work together to solve is....(hygiene problem)...Overall, I am pleased to have Suzie in my class - I can tell it will be a great year!" Good luck!
2006-09-26 22:36:11 · answer #2 · answered by moondancer629 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
You need to go to the principal and school guidance counselor and discuss the issues, then you all should sit down with the parent and explain all the child's issues and how the school and family can work together to help the student succeed. If it becomes a problem of neglect, since the child is only in 2nd grade and may still need parental help to remember to bath and such, you and the principal need to look into hot lining the parent. Neglect is a form of abuse, and I believe that all teachers are mandated reporters of abuse. It sounds like this child is going through some major stuff at home and the best thing you can do is to provide a positive place at school were she can feel safe and want to go to escape the trouble at home. Your job first and foremost is to help her learn, and she can not adequately do that if she is ousted from the class or not in attendance regularly.
2006-09-26 23:01:13 · answer #3 · answered by Liz 1 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Have him come in for a conference and say something like "I'm concerned about the way suzie is adapting to living without her mom. I have noticed a few things..." and then list hygiene as only one of several concerns. Then maybe suggest that the girl start seeing a school counselor or get involved in some sort of big sister/little sister program. There are probably more issues here than just hygiene and a school counselor/social worker could work them all out. They are specially trained for things like that and are a better resource than the teacher alone.
2006-09-26 22:34:42 · answer #4 · answered by brainy_ostrich 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
This is one of the many cases that the "support staff" can help a great deal. Get in touch with your immediate superior, the social workwer, the nurse, the psychologist, or whatever person there is at your school. The girl needs help, be a source of support and good example, you and the support staff should be able to help the young lady very much.
2006-09-28 08:21:50 · answer #5 · answered by OldGringo 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Take the problem to the school nurse, who can approach the situation from a health issue point of view. Maybe a interdisciplinary approach (her teacher, the school nurse, and the school counselor with the father) can help generate positive solutions to benefit this young girl.
2006-09-26 23:50:39 · answer #6 · answered by suebayrn 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
either send him a letter politely telling him of the problem or ask the school nurse to contact the father.i would[ if i was the parent] rather get a note sent home that you wish to have a teacher-parent conference over the phone, and deal with the problem at that level.[if the other family members are supposed to care for this child ,if they receive a note they might throw it away]
2006-09-27 00:39:43 · answer #7 · answered by churchonthewayseniors 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I don't think there is a tactful way. Just tell him that in order to have an orderly class, all children need to be bathed and well groomed when they come to school. They must not miss classes unless they are ill. And tell him she is way behind her grade level academically and see if someone in her home can help her improve. You might write a note to that effect if it's uncomfortable to tell him in person.
2006-09-26 22:29:06 · answer #8 · answered by phoenixheat 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
This is a tough subject, it can cause a lot of problems. We had this issue at work and I had to tell someone they had a B.O. that was offensive to the people working with him/her, and they got all offensive and wanted to know who was saying that stuff about him/her. Unfortunately, I had to tell this person 3 times of this problem and eventho the person was saying he/she was trying things to fix it, they never did. Eventually they got moved to another dept. Its a very hard situation and I completely understand the position you're in but I have no idea how you can approach this subject without someone getting mad.
2006-09-26 22:46:20 · answer #9 · answered by Sky 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
As a teacher, I have run into this problem before. Don't say anything to the father. If your school has a social worker, send a report to her. If you suspect neglect, you must by law report the suspected neglect to child protective services. You don't have to have your principal's permission, but you should inform her of what you're doing.
2006-09-26 22:49:16 · answer #10 · answered by hollyltstarfleet 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋