Home | How It Works | Stats Login | Register         Case: Smelly Kid I guess I am still considered a novice teacher because I have been teaching for four years only. I am an elementary school teacher who teaches in a mostly White suburban setting. Couple of weeks ago a new student joined my classroom. He and his parents recently moved from Eastern Europe. His father works at the local university as a music professor. I am not sure what his mother does. He is a wonderful child. Although he speaks little English, he tries to participate in class activities and to make friends with others in the classroom. Couple days after he arrived, I noticed a strange smell around him. I was sure that it was body odor. The other students in the classroom started noticing it too. They started making fun of him. I learned in my multicultural classes when I was at the university that not all cultures promote taking showers everyday, and that body odor is not considered a problem everywhere in the world. Now I have a big dilemma. If I tell my student about it, I might embarrass him. If I sent a note to his parents, I may appear disrespectful toward their culture. But the way he is treated in the classroom by the other students is becoming a real problem. What should I do? Solution: (Rates are posted for this solution!) In my opinion, the best way to handle this situation is to set up a conference with the child's parents. I do not believe that a note sent home would be effective because it could be interpreted disrespectfully and you want the parents to know that you care and not passing judgement. Though it may be uncomfortable, I would want the parents to know what is going on in the classroom and why it is happening. I think it would be best for the parents to discuss what is going on at school with their child based on hygiene. One way that you could discuss this issue in the classroom without pointing the student out is to do a lesson on hygiene. This may be done through a read aloud. This could help students see the importance of taking care of themselves through showering, brushing their teeth and hair daily, and etc.                 Rating The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes The suggested solution is original Yes Comments: I agree a conference with the parents would be the best route and the most respectful. When speaking in person to them, they will be able to see you are concerned for their child and you respect their culture. Between you and them, you may come up with a solution that works for all involved. Rated On: October 15, 2014 8:14 pm Rated By: Dana Johnson                 Rating The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes The suggested solution is original Yes Comments: Yes I agree a meeting with the family and student would be the best solution as it would shed light on the source of the atrocious smell. Rated On: October 19, 2014 1:51 pm Rated By: Adam Sanchez                 Rating The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes The suggested solution is original Yes Comments: Excellent solution. Meeting with the parents in person is the best way to go about this. A lesson on hygiene would also be a great solution because not all students realize the importance of taking care of themselves. Rated On: October 21, 2014 1:21 am Rated By: yVuLyR                 Rating The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes The suggested solution is original Yes Comments: I think a lesson on health would be a great idea to implement in a lesson! Rated On: July 10, 2015 2:35 am Rated By: RaMevy                 Rating The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes The suggested solution is original Yes Comments: I think you present some great ideas Rated On: October 18, 2015 4:38 am Rated By: Krystalynn Gulczewski                 Rating The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes The suggested solution is original Yes Comments: I agree! Rated On: October 12, 2019 4:48 pm Rated By: emetub                 Rating The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes The suggested solution is original Yes Comments: I agree that sending a note home may come across as disrespectful toward their culture, and that getting the parents involved and in the loop of what is going on is the best way to approach the situation without crossing any lines. Rated On: October 31, 2021 8:44 pm Rated By: dedyqa