Classroom fragrance

[EMode]

Paging EMode..... EMode to the white courtesy phone please.

You get to have a phone in your booth? Lucky!

If nobody is bothered by it then its no big deal. If someone is though I would hope the op would do the right thing and discontinue using it. Me, I wouldn't use it in the first place but its nit my classroom.
This stuff doesn't have to be a battle, its about general courtesy, and yes in some cases the health of those there.

And ftr, my school isn't peanut free either but that doesn't mean there aren't procedures in place to make sure the kids who have allergies aren't exposed. Nobody here seems to have a problem with it, in fact the only place I've seen people have issues are here on this board.

 

[TAX GUY]

And ftr, my school isn't peanut free either but that doesn't mean there aren't procedures in place to make sure the kids who have allergies aren't exposed. Nobody here seems to have a problem with it, in fact the only place I've seen people have issues are here on this board.

For SHAME!!! All schools and camps should be peanut free! I'm proud to say both the school and the camp my son attends are courteous enough to recognize the severity of peanut allergies. By simply not allowing it accommodates everyone without issue. Simply having "procedures" in place isn't enough since clearly its not the responsibility of the teacher to ensure those with the allergy are not exposed.

 

[JennaDeeDooDah]

By not putting in a scented device every child is being accomodated, no single child is getting special treatment here. The teacher does not need a scented classroom in order to do her job so therefore it does not need to be in there.


And again, walking through or visiting a public building is not the same situation as a registered student required to be sitting in that classroom for 8 hours a day. Trying to argue it is is just plain silly.

Well I don't know about all that. The year I was expecting, I was teaching sixth graders. They would come in my classroom after PE or playing outside after lunch and it smelled like I stuck my nose in a pile of sweat socks. I have to say that heightened sense of smell when pregnant - when you are already more likely to toss your cookies without adding in the nose of a bloodhound - is one of life's cruelties.

 

[EMode]

Well I don't know about all that. The year I was expecting, I was teaching sixth graders. They would come in my classroom after PE or playing outside after lunch and it smelled like I stuck my nose in a pile of sweat socks. I have to say that heightened sense of smell when pregnant - when you are already more likely to toss your cookies without adding in the nose of a bloodhound - is one of life's cruelties.

Don't I know it, but in this case all a device adding scent would do is mix the offending odor with another less offending one. An air purifier is the way to go if one wants to get rid of smells all together. Of course then you have to worry about producing ozone

 

[shortbun]

Truthfully, if the fragrance can be smelled easily, it would make me sick. Take a cotton hankie and put perfume on it. Keep it in your drawer or pocket.

 

[itutorfortravel]

Ok, I could not stand to read this anymore without re-posting the gist of what I had deleted.

I am so disappointed in this thread and the way it has gone that I honestly wished I had never started it. Ugh.

I am returning to teaching after being away for a long time. I had a wonderful corporate career and owned a small business for many years that I loved, but I wanted a job that would work better for my family situation. I love teaching, so I thought it would be the right choice.

I've spent the past few weeks shopping for things for my classroom, all paid for out of my own pocket...soft light lamps, artificial plants, posters, etc. My goal was to take a cold, sterile environment and turn it into a comfortable, inviting place that students would feel happy to come to. I thought the addition of a mild scent would make it even nicer.

Some people provided kind feedback and offered other suggestions. I really do appreciate that. I thank them for allowing me to see another side of the issue and I will really give thought to that.

However, some people reacted as if I were intentionally doing something wrong or that I was purposefully doing something to hurt children. That really hurt, and brought back a reality I had obviously long forgotten about teaching, that some people just want to find fault with teachers. One person even said that if their child were in such a classroom and something happened, they would hold the teacher personally responsible and even sue! I can promise you I'm not perfect and I will make mistakes, and I sure hope the parents of my students this year are much more forgiving than that.

So that's all, I'm really hurt by a lot of the responses. I could use some encouragement as I re-enter the classroom, not all this negativity that makes me question if I made the right decision.

I will probably delete this again because I hate being negative on the boards. But I can't continue to read this thread without speaking up. Maybe I should just stop reading this thread.

 

[pat fan]

We should all have our bubbles to walk and live in. With all the allergies now someone somewhere is allergic to it.

Question for those with scent issues.... what is done when roaming a public mall and you need to travel through the perfume section? Or, what if you're on a Disney bus and the passenger next to you has just gussied up for a night out and has LOADED the cologne on?

I understand there are very severe allergies from a wide range of people but how far does it go? There are several students in my sons class that are allergic to nuts, or dairy, or bees, etc which is why we're not allowed to let them have ANY nut anything and for those with dairy issues, they have to eat in a designated area away from the others... since milk is served with lunch.

I can tell you do not have a scent issue. For me, I don't go near the perfume areas, I don't try samples of hand lotion etc...that are offered and I carry medication in case someone or something has a scent that triggers a reaction. A classroom is a controlled space and as such, it seems easy to not use scent that someone may have an issue with.

I have a super sensitive gag gland that reacts to foul odors (like poor hygiene from prepubescent boys) or stale air.

A gag reflex is quite different than having your throat close.

However, some people reacted as if I were intentionally doing something wrong or that I was purposefully doing something to hurt children. That really hurt,

I for one never thought that for a minute! I took it as you were asking an honest question. Yes, some answers were pretty strident (been on the receiving end of the Dis acid myself once or twice!) but I do agree that a scented room is not the greatest idea. I hope you find a way to un-musty the room, baking soda really can work wonders! Have a fantastic re-entry to the classroom!

 

[LiveYourLife]

Truthfully, if the fragrance can be smelled easily, it would make me sick. Take a cotton hankie and put perfume on it. Keep it in your drawer or pocket.

Or a little Vick's under the nose too

 

[dispor]

Ok, I could not stand to read this anymore without re-posting the gist of what I had deleted.

I am so disappointed in this thread and the way it has gone that I honestly wished I had never started it. Ugh.

I am returning to teaching after being away for a long time. I had a wonderful corporate career and owned a small business for many years that I loved, but I wanted a job that would work better for my family situation. I love teaching, so I thought it would be the right choice.

I've spent the past few weeks shopping for things for my classroom, all paid for out of my own pocket...soft light lamps, artificial plants, posters, etc. My goal was to take a cold, sterile environment and turn it into a comfortable, inviting place that students would feel happy to come to. I thought the addition of a mild scent would make it even nicer.

Some people provided kind feedback and offered other suggestions. I really do appreciate that. I thank them for allowing me to see another side of the issue and I will really give thought to that.

However, some people reacted as if I were intentionally doing something wrong or that I was purposefully doing something to hurt children. That really hurt, and brought back a reality I had obviously long forgotten about teaching, that some people just want to find fault with teachers. One person even said that if their child were in such a classroom and something happened, they would hold the teacher personally responsible and even sue! I can promise you I'm not perfect and I will make mistakes, and I sure hope the parents of my students this year are much more forgiving than that.

So that's all, I'm really hurt by a lot of the responses. I could use some encouragement as I re-enter the classroom, not all this negativity that makes me question if I made the right decision.

I will probably delete this again because I hate being negative on the boards. But I can't continue to read this thread without speaking up. Maybe I should just stop reading this thread.

Just in case...

 

[disykat]

OP, I only saw one answer to you that seemed somewhat vehement and that is just the way that poster talks regarding all teachers.

The other more emotional responses are responding to another poster, not you.

Once allergy arguments start on the DIS they never go well. Don't let your feelings be hurt by something that isn't about you at all!

I have allergies, my son is even peanut allergic, I spent time as a SAHM, AND I'm a teacher to boot. The DIS trifecta. No matter what, these topics ALWAYS start an argument.

You very clearly have listened to our concerns about fragrances. Let the rest of the war wage on and ignore it!

 

[dimimi]

How about a potpourri or reed diffuser? Same issues?

I don't know what state you live in, but we have to have all of the ingredients available for view for any product we use in the classroom. I know some teachers in our school use air fresheners....and some days I would like to too!

 

[aprilgail2]

If nobody is bothered by it then its no big deal. If someone is though I would hope the op would do the right thing and discontinue using it. Me, I wouldn't use it in the first place but its nit my classroom.
This stuff doesn't have to be a battle, its about general courtesy, and yes in some cases the health of those there.

And ftr, my school isn't peanut free either but that doesn't mean there aren't procedures in place to make sure the kids who have allergies aren't exposed. Nobody here seems to have a problem with it, in fact the only place I've seen people have issues are here on this board.

As for the smell of the kids I would just use vicks under the nose- works great! Our school is the same way- not peanut free, the peanut allergy kids can sit at their own special table while the other kids eat what they want.

 

[aprilgamer]

I would suggest a cup of coffee grinds (unused). It was a trick I learned when my FIL was in a nursing home. His room didn't have that usual nursing home odor. I tried it in my home when my ailing Mom stayed with us. I could only smell coffee when I got really close to the cup I had on her dresser.

 

[Disney Doll]

Good luck with your return to teaching.

 

[indygirl99]

Ok, I could not stand to read this anymore without re-posting the gist of what I had deleted.

I am so disappointed in this thread and the way it has gone that I honestly wished I had never started it. Ugh.

I am returning to teaching after being away for a long time. I had a wonderful corporate career and owned a small business for many years that I loved, but I wanted a job that would work better for my family situation. I love teaching, so I thought it would be the right choice.

I've spent the past few weeks shopping for things for my classroom, all paid for out of my own pocket...soft light lamps, artificial plants, posters, etc. My goal was to take a cold, sterile environment and turn it into a comfortable, inviting place that students would feel happy to come to. I thought the addition of a mild scent would make it even nicer.

Some people provided kind feedback and offered other suggestions. I really do appreciate that. I thank them for allowing me to see another side of the issue and I will really give thought to that.

However, some people reacted as if I were intentionally doing something wrong or that I was purposefully doing something to hurt children. That really hurt, and brought back a reality I had obviously long forgotten about teaching, that some people just want to find fault with teachers. One person even said that if their child were in such a classroom and something happened, they would hold the teacher personally responsible and even sue! I can promise you I'm not perfect and I will make mistakes, and I sure hope the parents of my students this year are much more forgiving than that.

So that's all, I'm really hurt by a lot of the responses. I could use some encouragement as I re-enter the classroom, not all this negativity that makes me question if I made the right decision.

I will probably delete this again because I hate being negative on the boards. But I can't continue to read this thread without speaking up. Maybe I should just stop reading this thread.

I am sorry you felt so attacked.

I am one of those people who is allergic to several things and some scents cause me great grief, I carry 2 inhalers and an epi pen. I stay away from perfume counters, the candle stores and Victoria secret. If anyone could have a reaction to something it would be me. I know this is part of my life and just try to protect myself. Usually I am successful, sometimes I'm not and oh well that is just my life and I go with the punches.

I am a nurse and really hate sundays when visitors come in after church, sometimes I just can't avoid the exposure when I am taking care of my patients and the visitors seeing me puffing on my inhaler usually get the point. Once again I know this is my life, I explain and go about my business as best as I can.

All of that to say we have something we use in the hospital that comes in a small pump spray bottle that help neutralize some of the worst healthcare smells possible. It does not have a scent at all and really does get rid of some powerful stink.

I have even gotten some and taken it to our beach house that can get musty smelling at times. And if it doesn't cause me, who reacts to a lot of things, any problem then I would think it would be safe for your classroom. And I work in the pediatric world so I know it is safe for kids also.

I can't remember the name and off on vacation but you could call any medical supply store and tell them you need the stuff they use in hospital for really bad smells. It comes in a 2 or 4 ounce bottle. Your school nurse may even have a bottle or two.

I love kids but I think I will take then sick in the hospital over teaching them in a musty classroom with adolescent stink every day all day long. I hope you find something that works for you, the kids and all the "bosses".

 

[Jex]

Probably ozium.

 

[Jex]

Probably ozium.

 

[minkydog]

A little Vick's under the nose too

An old nurse's trick. I laugh at the example of sweaty/stinky 8th graders. You really haven't lived until you've worked in a hospital where you regularly encounter feces, vomit, and blood, sometimes all in the same sample. And I'm telling you, there is no other smell like it. Vicks under the nose keeps me from hurling.

 

[AustinTink]

When my son was in the 4th grade, he had an absolutely lovely teacher, probably the best teacher he has ever had. It made me feel so badly to have to ask her to stop burning candles in her classroom.

My son's eczema was flaring worse and worse each day the first week in her class. By day three his skin was completely raw. He was also having to use his rescue inhaler. After asking him all the basic questions we moms of allergic children know so well, we figured out it was the candles.

It's funny because parents with "issues" so often get painted as confrontational. I have to say, we would love nothing more than to have a "normal" healthy child that can be around perfumes and candles and air fresheners. We don't want to have to talk to the teacher about this, trust me. We just want to blend in.

His teacher was so incredibly understanding. She eliminated all scents in the classroom and added baking soda and coffee grounds. It was so nice to have someone really get where we were coming from. She is actually now one of my dear friends.

Just wanted to add our personal experience on the subject. OP, have a great school year. Best wishes to you.

 

[Kathryn Merteuil]

I had freshmen for quite a while. I swear my room often smelled like a pet store.