- Report: #173717
Complaint Review: Twin Valley High School - Wilmington Vermont
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Twin Valley High School
Wilmington, 05363 Vermont, U.S.A.
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This is a good one...
On Friday, 1-27-06, my son called me from school to tell me of a strange but true incident that turned into a semi-large problem.
Sitting in his science class waiting for the teacher to arrive as she was tardy, she (the teacher,)immediately complains of an offensive fragrance coming from the classroom.
To elaborate on this, my son had mentioned some days prior that this teacher is new to the job, and acts a bit different.(That is a deep subject in itself.)
He said the woman is allergic to perfume, deodorant, cologne, etc., and she requested that no student wears any of the above while in her classroom.
Anyway,the trouble begins Friday morning when she develops a severe allergic reaction to something in this room, and immediately orders any students wearing fragrant products to leave the room.
Several students, including my 16 yr. old son did, and as a result missed the next class because of the following trauma.
It seems the reaction was so intense, that the office called 911 and an ambulance arrives to treat the affected woman.
When my son walked past the principal's office, he was told by the principal himself to "take a peek out that window, TJ, now how do you feel about wearing deodorant", looking into the ambulance, insinuating that my son was the cause of this problem. That erupted my temper at that statement.
After the woman was treated and returned inside the building, an assembly was formed with the students and faculty members discussing the situation.
A letter was drafted and sent to all of the parents that afternoon stating that all students are required to refrain from using deodorant, cologne etc. They stated that from now on any hygeine products should be purchased from a health food store, fragrance-free, if needed.
I haven't heard from the principal yet, as I jumped at the chance to speak with him on Friday afternoon via telephone. He didn't bother to call me back...
If any of the other parents have a lick of sense, they will act as I will on this issue.
I am sorry for this woman's unfortunate ailment. However, I have filled out many an employment application in my lifetime, and there has always been a space to list any physical ailments that may affect my performance on the job. If you cannot fulfill those job requirements,(i.e., lifting something heavy, corrective lenses, medications that would impair, and "smelling",)usually you would not be hired, or at least be able to control those ailments with some form of medications to keep it at bay.
The faculty at Twin Valley High School in Wilmington, Vermont has overdone it. There is no way that they can force our children to refrain from using personal hygiene products purchased at normal places such as etc., that are fragrance-free.
Besides, I have spent 16 years teaching my son how and when to bathe, and the proper techniques in which to keep his body from developing an odor, and we have achieved this successfully with shampoo, deodorant, and whatever happened to be on sale in the isle at the time. It is my right to purchase products from wherever I choose to, and not have to pay extra at some hippy-owned incense and health food store that will jack up the prices of these products locally now that they have the market cornered with a captive audience from this school's members.
I hope I have explained this silly situation clearly enough that if anyone else encounters such a scenario, they will realize that there are some civil liberties that actually work FOR them once in a while.
Tom
Bennington, Vermont
U.S.A.
On Friday, 1-27-06, my son called me from school to tell me of a strange but true incident that turned into a semi-large problem.
Sitting in his science class waiting for the teacher to arrive as she was tardy, she (the teacher,)immediately complains of an offensive fragrance coming from the classroom.
To elaborate on this, my son had mentioned some days prior that this teacher is new to the job, and acts a bit different.(That is a deep subject in itself.)
He said the woman is allergic to perfume, deodorant, cologne, etc., and she requested that no student wears any of the above while in her classroom.
Anyway,the trouble begins Friday morning when she develops a severe allergic reaction to something in this room, and immediately orders any students wearing fragrant products to leave the room.
Several students, including my 16 yr. old son did, and as a result missed the next class because of the following trauma.
It seems the reaction was so intense, that the office called 911 and an ambulance arrives to treat the affected woman.
When my son walked past the principal's office, he was told by the principal himself to "take a peek out that window, TJ, now how do you feel about wearing deodorant", looking into the ambulance, insinuating that my son was the cause of this problem. That erupted my temper at that statement.
After the woman was treated and returned inside the building, an assembly was formed with the students and faculty members discussing the situation.
A letter was drafted and sent to all of the parents that afternoon stating that all students are required to refrain from using deodorant, cologne etc. They stated that from now on any hygeine products should be purchased from a health food store, fragrance-free, if needed.
I haven't heard from the principal yet, as I jumped at the chance to speak with him on Friday afternoon via telephone. He didn't bother to call me back...
If any of the other parents have a lick of sense, they will act as I will on this issue.
I am sorry for this woman's unfortunate ailment. However, I have filled out many an employment application in my lifetime, and there has always been a space to list any physical ailments that may affect my performance on the job. If you cannot fulfill those job requirements,(i.e., lifting something heavy, corrective lenses, medications that would impair, and "smelling",)usually you would not be hired, or at least be able to control those ailments with some form of medications to keep it at bay.
The faculty at Twin Valley High School in Wilmington, Vermont has overdone it. There is no way that they can force our children to refrain from using personal hygiene products purchased at normal places such as etc., that are fragrance-free.
Besides, I have spent 16 years teaching my son how and when to bathe, and the proper techniques in which to keep his body from developing an odor, and we have achieved this successfully with shampoo, deodorant, and whatever happened to be on sale in the isle at the time. It is my right to purchase products from wherever I choose to, and not have to pay extra at some hippy-owned incense and health food store that will jack up the prices of these products locally now that they have the market cornered with a captive audience from this school's members.
I hope I have explained this silly situation clearly enough that if anyone else encounters such a scenario, they will realize that there are some civil liberties that actually work FOR them once in a while.
Tom
Bennington, Vermont
U.S.A.
4 Updates & Rebuttals
Richard
Santa Ana,California,
U.S.A.
Take it up with the school district & get parents involve
#2Consumer Suggestion
Mon, January 30, 2006
Get together with other parents and bring it up with the school district board. A student with poor hygiene is not healthy either. I wouldn't be surprised if students are getting sick, producing yeast on their body or developing tinea cruris. Teachers, students and parents should work out a solution. See about getting your kid transferred to a different class. I personally don't think people should give up hygiene just for one person. I can understand some students tend put too much fragrance and come in smelling like a perfume bomb went off in their presence which can create a nuisance. Deciding the teacher having the right to teach/work at school with that kind of health problem is very touchy. That Principle was wrong to dump blame on to your kid. I say he was out of line and I would take it up with the school district too. I use to work in a school district and believe me they have done plenty of stupid things. Good luck getting the problem worked out.
Pete
Valley View,Michigan,
U.S.A.
The 'Rights' of the minority!!!
#3Consumer Comment
Mon, January 30, 2006
I'm pretty sick of it, too. Get your story together and send the information to either Hannity & Colmes or The O'Reilly Factor on Fox News. They're pretty good at exposing such nutty rules and regulations. Another place you might try is the Thomas Law Center in Ann Arbor MI, although they usually take on religious and ACLU suits. I suppose this shouldn't surprise me about Vermont. After all, they have Judge Cashman who gave a pedophile (who was molesting a little girl for four years) 60 days in jail! Under extreme pressure, he later 'reconsidered' and gave the criminal 3-10 years. No doubt the guy was guilty because he admitted to it. Good luck!
R
Portland,Oregon,
U.S.A.
Masses ruled by minority
#4Consumer Comment
Sun, January 29, 2006
Yes Tom, this story is so silly, it can only be true. It seems that the new trend in society is for small, vocal minorities to inflict their interest upon the vast majority. This is a perfect example. It's their way or the highway. I hope this makes you feel better: I have a 5 year old and he goes to private kindergarten. It runs me $585 month plus his books, supplies etc. The school is peanut free. That's because there are 2 kids in the school that are allergic to peanuts. I guess it's more convenient for the parents of these kids to make sure that no one brings in peanut based foods rather than actually take the time to teach their kids what not to eat. It's my responsibility to ensure that someone elses kid doesn't eat peanuts. This is an incredible inconvenience for me since he doesn't eat meat, and needs the protein from peanut butter. Next week I'm planning on a campaign to have twinkies and junkfood bannned. My son has never had a twinkie, and I don't want him exposed to them. I don't really know what you can do. I can suggest the Tom's of Maine products. They're natural products that aren't exhorbinantly overpriced and can be found at most retailers.
Robert
Jacksonville,Florida,
U.S.A.
Does this episode really come as surprise to you?
#5Consumer Comment
Sun, January 29, 2006
This is a Government School. They are not known as bastions of brilliance. They used to be for teaching children how to make better decisions, and give them a working knowledge of various subjects. Now they just impose idiotic "zero tolerance" policies and ignore the basics. Can't wear deodorant or anything else with fragrance? That pretty much eliminates all soaps, shampoos, shave creams, gels, deodorants, anti-perspirants, ointments, etc. That place has got to have one wonderful smell come June. Remember, you pay for this stupidity.
