Classroom fragrance

[Aliceacc]

A teacher in my building once had one of those reed diffuser things in her classroom. I had one study hall a day in that room.

I put up with nagging headaches for about 2 weeks before I asked her to get rid of it.

I can't imagine being a kid in that room, trying to think, with that thing in there.

My suggestion would be to open the windows and let the fresh air in, particularly after some of your kids have come from gym.

In addition, and I know this is a LONG SHOT, I would be against anything that could mask a smell that could keep my kids safe-- like something burning in a nearby classroom or bathroom.

 

[PollyannaMom]

I think it's nice that you want to make a comfortable place for your students.

I wouldn't do the plug-ins, because I've heard they are a fire hazard. But I don't see anything wrong with asking at the beginning of the year if anyone in your class is allergic to scents, and then trying things if nobody is. (I've heard about certain scents being good for concentration, too.) I think that, too often, we just take away things all together because it's possible that someone can't have them, without checking first. We leave out things that, while not strictly necessary, are good for many people, even when we don't have to.

If someone does have an issue, I do like the baking soda or coffee ideas.

I also thinks there is a big difference between dangerous allergies and annoyances. Obviously, if a child's throat is going to close from peanuts, you don't make peanut butter play dough in the room, period. But annoyances can be accommodated with compromise. (My own DS, for instance, has pollen allergies. But he just sneezes, so asking to sit away from the open window is enough. He doesn't feel it's fair to expect 26 other kids to roast for him.)

I'm not against accommodating as necessary - scents included. When I carpooled with someone allergic to perfume, I didn't wear it. But when I wasn't going to be around her, I still did. If we completely take away everything that could make anyone uncomfortable, we'll eventually have nothing left.

 

[Jenn]

I'm right there with the scent induced headaches. I avoid the perfume section of department stores and I don't even walk into Abercrombie or Hollister.

I hate to break it to everyone though, when your kids get to middle and high school they will be surrounded and accosted daily with perfume, scented hand sanitizer, scented lotion, hair products, scented deodorant, and the worst of all...Axe body spray. We actually had to make an announcement during a theater production to ask girls to stop spraying perfume in the audience.

These products are as prevalent as the allergies/headaches to them.

 

[aprilgail2]

I'm right there with the scent induced headaches. I avoid the perfume section of department stores and I don't even walk into Abercrombie or Hollister.

I hate to break it to everyone though, when your kids get to middle and high school they will be surrounded and accosted daily with perfume, scented hand sanitizer, scented lotion, hair products, scented deodorant, and the worst of all...Axe body spray. We actually had to make an announcement during a theater production to ask girls to stop spraying perfume in the audience.

These products are as prevalent as the allergies/headaches to them.

I was thinking about this thread today as my daughter was picking out 2 new perfumes with her school shopping for this year. Last thing she does in the morning before school before going out the door is spray on perfume and then get in the car- some mornings I have to open up the car window to air I out after that!!

 

[mjantz]

Again, not every school has windows that open. I'd LOVE to open the windows but it's not an option. Plus my window overlooks the playground & that would be very distracting to have it open during the day.

 

[ilovepcot]

I turned on a tart warmer an hour or so before bed a couple nights ago. My bedroom smelled delicious! My poor little dog had hardly gotten into his bed before he began with powerful sneezes and making a hacking sound. I reached over and turned the tart warmer off. No more of that.

 

[G719]

Our school secretary got in trouble with the fire marshall for having a scentsy warmer at school.