The cat pee smell is unwashed clothes with accidents. If I saw them, I'd walk them to the nurse to see if they have a change of clothes. I used to buy clothes for one of my kiddos and wash them because of the same situation.
Just a note to be careful about what you post here too, some of it's sensitive student info and you don't want to get in trouble. You just never know. Says the girl who has a superintendent for a mom and has heard some weird teacher firing stories.
The cat pee smell is unwashed clothes with accidents. If I saw them, I'd walk them to the nurse to see if they have a change of clothes. I used to buy clothes for one of my kiddos and wash them because of the same situation.
Just a note to be careful about what you post here too, some of it's sensitive student info and you don't want to get in trouble. You just never know. Says the girl who has a superintendent for a mom and has heard some weird teacher firing
Thank you, you're right. I think I'm ok since I haven't used any names or given any identifying information, but I have probably shared more than I should. Although if our superintendent were here I would hope they would be more interested in the teachers I'm talking about than me.
I'm a school psychologist and prior to that I worked as a behavior specialist and fortunately I haven't really had to work with kids who smeared feces. Usually when I have heard about it, it was a student with an intellectual disability, autism spectrum disorder, or an older student with very serious mental health problems and was usually in a placement other than the public school building. Sexual abuse also makes sense.
As a mandated reporter, you can call child services (Children and Youth or whatever its called where you live) with suspicion. I live in PA and now in schools we have a mandatory training on when to report abuse (thanks, Jerry Sandusky!) and they really drilled that into our heads. You don't need proof, you only need to suspect something. Its their job to prove it, not yours. Our school policy is that we must talk to our building principal first. Are your suspicions about that certain student (or the one who smells like cat pee) strong enough that you're comfortable talking to the principal?
Sexual abuse was my first thought. One of the hardest things for me as a teacher is knowing there is a good chance that one or more of my students is being abused by a parent. I'd like to think it doesn't happen, but the statistics are too high. I know you don't know which child it is, but has the school psychologist been made aware of the situation?
Sexual abuse was my first thought. One of the hardest things for me as a teacher is knowing there is a good chance that one or more of my students is being abused by a parent. I'd like to think it doesn't happen, but the statistics are too high. I know you don't know which child it is, but has the school psychologist been made aware of the situation?
I'm sure she has, because she almost always knows things before I do. Besides that...everybody knows about this one.
This is so heartbreaking on so many accounts. Whether it is a traumatic incident that encouraged the behavior, or a child with a mental illness, I have such a hard time with this.
@salsera29- although we are only pregnant and shouldn't be handicapped by it, please don't feel like you need to take this on yourself. We can't save every child and I know this will take its toll on you. Don't let it consume you or become an unhealthy stress or worry
*TW* Losses Mentioned 9.6.12 - Crazy J entered the world 4.30.14 - Sweet Angel Micah John lost to T18 at 7 months pregnant 2.8.16 Miscarriage at 6 weeks 4.30.16 BFP *stick baby stick*
This breaks my heart. When I was around that age a school friend was being sexually abused by her stepfather. Several of us knew about it, but none of us really knew what to do. A teacher eventually found out but it had been going on for quite some time, any amount of time is too long of course.
I think kids are taught about stranger danger etc. but sadly a lot of the time it is those close to them, those they trust, that are the dangerous people.
We had a similar situation where I taught, although it was middle school. It was a terrible cry for help. Once we found the "artist" and the child was referred to receive help it became apparent that it was stemming from an abusive situation. Not only for the relief of yourself and colleagues but also for the hope of saving a child, I hope that you're able to figure it all out. We had hallway cameras that we're able to pinpoint who was entering and exitingvthe bathroom. However we've had other bathroom incidents where we placed an aide at the doorway who checked-in and checked-out each student. Maybe there could be a more stringent check-in/check-out procedure. It was a complete pain and wasted a lot of time but worked till the situation was rectified. Good luck!
That is pretty disturbing. I hope you all are able to find the kid (presumably?) and het her/him help. I was going to just say her, but you never know.
In Middle school, we had this happen in the girl's bathroom on the 7/8th grade hall (never knew what came of it....). I don't know if your school has certain bathrooms for certain classes that might could narrow it down.....I see you said the sign in/out has be implemented. Are they also doing checks afterwards? :S
That's terribly disturbing and I'm just going to echo everyone else, truly horrible and sad. Hope they can figure it out soon and provide the child with the care they need.
Way back when I was in middle school every girl in the school was called to the cafeteria and spoken to as a group by the guidance counselors because someone had been doing the same with menstrual blood :-/
I hope they figure out who the kid is and are able to get them some help. I wasn't aware that it was a sign of abuse.
I teach in a school for students with behavioral/social-emotional needs. A staff memeber escorts each student to the bathroom, checks the bathroom, let's student go in alone, and then rechecks before returning them to class so we can avoid things like this.
Oh, that's awful. No matter what's going on that poor kid probably needs some help. I work at a residential outdoor school (we get groups of students from different schools every week) and every so often we have a "poop incident" in the showers. Those are almost certainly truly accidents, though, because the showers are separate from the bathrooms so I can see how a kid could be in the middle of a shower and suddenly have a code brown. And I don't think they've ever written words. Kids do some gross things and it doesn't always mean a cry for help, but writing on the walls with shit is pretty much a big one. @Salsera29, please keep us updated. I'm sure that like me you are a mandated reporter and it's always worrisome when you see signs that some sort of abuse may be going on with a kid. I hope you all can figure out what's going on.
Also, like a PP said, just make sure to protect yourself as far as revealing anything about this. I think you're probably fine since you haven't shared any identifying details, so we don't even know what state you're in let alone what school. And as you said, one would hope a superintendent or someone would be way more concerned about those awful teachers you mentioned. Just be careful.
As much as I'd hate to step on the other teacher's toes either, we teachers have a legal obligation to report any suspicion of abuse. Not only does this little girl need somebody to stand up for her when she clearly needs help, you also need to CYA and make some sort of formal report, since you've discussed your suspicions with your coworker.
Honestly, if no steps are taken to protect this girl then can't you anonymously file a complaint with CPS? I hope they report it, I'm pretty certain teachers are mandated reporters so if they don't report it they can get in a shit load of legal trouble.
Yeah that's the "following my gut" I was talking about.
Honestly, if no steps are taken to protect this girl then can't you anonymously file a complaint with CPS? I hope they report it, I'm pretty certain teachers are mandated reporters so if they don't report it they can get in a shit load of legal trouble.
Totally agree. Even is for some reason it ends up not being anything at least you know that you tried everything you could.
There is one girl I'm thinking about...do you guys remember when I mentioned her teachers high-fiving when they guessed that she was being abused? It would make sense that they wouldn't have noticed if she came back from the bathroom smelling. I have no credentials and no right to do so but I want to talk to her myself.
I missed the post about the teachers high fiving about her abuse. But that's disgusting. Why? My mind is blown by that, it is just as bad to me. Please tell me you lost your mind on them. They were severely reprimanded or something. My heart aches for her, those are the kids that need teachers the most.
Unfortunately I didn't see it happen, the guidance counselor told me about it. They are both abusive to the students and I think our new principal is finally catching on. Anything I see, I document and try to diffuse. Unfortunately I'm just the music teacher so there's not much else I can do to protect those kids.
Apparently a parent was threatening to jump one of them yesterday. I would have sold tickets.
ETA: I can't let this go. Another one of their students is neglected and often comes to school smelling like cat pee. One day he was standing in the hall and another teacher asked him why he was out there with his bookbag...he said, "Mrs. ________ told me to stand out here because I smell." Do I even need to say anything else?
Those are two of the saddest stories I have ever heard. That teacher needs to be fired! She is not a teacher at all but a bully posing as a teacher! I say go with your gut and report it to cps. You will never regret being overly cautious in order to protect a child.
Honestly, if no steps are taken to protect this girl then can't you anonymously file a complaint with CPS? I hope they report it, I'm pretty certain teachers are mandated reporters so if they don't report it they can get in a shit load of legal trouble.
Yeah that's the "following my gut" I was talking about.
When I was teaching, we were basically told that if we suspected something, we should call CPS to CYA. But, in my state we could be held liable if we suspected something and didn't call. I called CPS for much less than suspected sexual abuse. If your admin doesn't make the call, the students teacher or you should. It is always the right thing to do. And, at least you have put it into someone's hands that can do something about it.
I agree with PPs, you should definitely call CPS. This girl needs someone to step up for her and unfortunately it sounds like you may be the only one willing to do so. I say unfortunately because I feel like the counselor and psychologist and her teacher should be up in arms about this but it doesn't sound that way.
There should be outlined protocol in a staff guidebook at every school for situations like this. I've worked in social services and education and it is usually very specific and covered in trainings. Sorry, but it sounds like that school is failing the students it serves. I'd report it to guidance chair and if they do not reassure you they are looking in to it, then make the principal aware and then report to the child protective services in your area. Most of the time when teachers who are not even the student's actual teacher notice signs, the student will already have a case open and outside services in place. As a person reporting signs of possible abuse or neglect, you must document in details, the more specific the better. Good luck, you may want to speak to your principal about the lack of training and available protocol to support staff like you in these types of situations at your school. What you describe is lacking from the standards I've worked with.
I just caught up on this thread. I'm glad that the issue seems to be addressed with the girl and her parents. I hope she gets whatever help and support she needs.
I want to say I appreciate that you were prepared to go to CPS if needed, that takes a lot of strength because even when something is the right thing to do, doesn't mean it's easy. Especially something like this.
While I'd never want this type of situation to happen, I really hope it's someone w/mental shortcomings rather than a sexually abused child. We were just talking in class yesterday & 90% of rape cases come from a known assailant. We can teach "stranger danger" til we're blue in the face but how do you teach somoeone to be careful of those who are supposed to watch out for them?
Re: NBR: This doesn't go anywhere but I have to share-UPDATE 2
Just a note to be careful about what you post here too, some of it's sensitive student info and you don't want to get in trouble. You just never know. Says the girl who has a superintendent for a mom and has heard some weird teacher firing stories.
@salsera29- although we are only pregnant and shouldn't be handicapped by it, please don't feel like you need to take this on yourself. We can't save every child and I know this will take its toll on you. Don't let it consume you or become an unhealthy stress or worry
9.6.12 - Crazy J entered the world
4.30.14 - Sweet Angel Micah John lost to T18 at 7 months pregnant
2.8.16 Miscarriage at 6 weeks
4.30.16 BFP *stick baby stick*
DH:34 - Me: 33
Emmaline Winifred - 1.25.2013
Wesley Daniel - 7.24.2014
#3 EDD - 6.24.2018
I hope they figure out who the kid is and are able to get them some help. I wasn't aware that it was a sign of abuse.
Hope you're able to find and help the perpetrator!
BFP 11/18/13. EDD 7/25/14. It's a BOY!
Surprise BFP 7/30/13. EDD 4/7/14. Natural MC 8/24/13
ETA clarity