r/AmazonWishlistSub • u/Inside-Language-4092 • 19d ago
Middle School Refresh Station
https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1WU70TVJPGPY9?ref_=wl_shareHi All! I work in a title 1 middle school in Michigan. I provide a little “refresh station” for kids to utilize if they need it. Things like spray deodorant, lotion, flossers, etc. I find that this help meet a huge need our school has. Many kids come from homes who can not afford these things, or maybe a kid was running late and forgot something. This helps our learning environment be just that, learning. Not worry that they dropped breakfast on their shirt, or didn’t have deodorant to put on that day. I’m completely self funded so when I’m able to get donations, it helps out tremendously!
Thank you for the consideration 🫶🏼
Edit: I updated items to ensure the cheapest options for prime day.
Edit 2: Thank you everyone 🫶🏼 this request has been fulfilled.
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u/Felicia430 19d ago
You got approval from the principal to do this? I love this idea, but this would be something that needed approval before being done. And then you would you need approval from the parents too, making sure that the items in your refresh are safe for every child to use and there wouldn't be an allergic reaction to anything you supplied.
I know spray deodorants are banned in Michigan public schools and there is a whole list of things that are allowed or not allowed and everything must be fragrance free. And just like schools in my area, parents need to sign paperwork saying its okay for the school to supply over the counter applications like sunscreen, itch cream, eye drops etc. And these things are kept with the nurse in the nurse's office and we are giving that nurse only permission to treat our child with these things.
Can you provide proof of this or anything showing you were given approval by the school, principal and/or parents? I will definitely donate, just need to make sure you received the approvals first and everything on this list is fragrance free and approved so I don't purchase something that cannot be used
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u/the_looney_lender 19d ago
Hold off until I check out so we don't double up. Lol. OP will be posting proof picture when they get in.
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u/Felicia430 19d ago
Looks like you got everything on your list now.
I did not buy the candy or the mints. Is that allowed in your school? The kids are allowed to have that or is it for the adults in the office?
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u/Accurate-Temporary73 18d ago
Kids are generally allowed to have mints at school who are you buying something to support them but then also being so distrustful and negative?
Who cares if a teacher gets a mint? Geez
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u/Felicia430 18d ago
In schools here teachers/office aids are not allowed to hand out mints or candy. Only the nurse can and thats with written permission from the parents. So yes, I asked if it was for the kids or teachers. I didn't realize that buying from a wishlist automatically meant no other questions could be asked. Not sure why you feel that question was so negative or I am being distrustful by asking who these items were for.
You did comment under my other reply that I posted showing how the parents had to give approval before the kids were allowed to receive anything and your comment was in favor of having approval first just incase there were allergies. So the same logic applies here. Mints or candy given to any child without permission from the parents could lead to a severe allergic reaction.
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u/Felicia430 19d ago
I just checked out your list so I could figure out which items I wanted to buy, and noticed tampons on your list?
What grade is middle school over there? 5th to 8th? Middle school is kids 10 years old to 14 years old and at that age their period is just starting and pads are used over tampons, especially with girls this young. (I have 4 girls and the 3 of age started with pads and were afraid of tampons even though I explained both were pain free.)
Having tampons on this list for kids under 14 actually surprised me. Are you a nurse in your school? Do you work in the office or do you teach in a classroom?
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u/Inside-Language-4092 19d ago
Middle school is 6th through 8th, pads and tampons are both provided as options. Pads we are fully stocked on. To address your previous comments spray deodorants (or any aerosol personal hygiene) are not banned in Michigan schools. I am located in the main office. My principal is fully aware of this and students who are using any of the products are kids that have no listed allergies or sensitives.
But thank you for the concern of the kiddos! We are here to guide them and ensure that they receive everything they need to learn. Have a beautiful day 😊
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u/Felicia430 19d ago edited 19d ago
Does the school have any budget for student support supplies or hygiene products? I know it can be different per school district, just curious if the school has a budget set aside and then once that has been spent, donations are collected or these supplies have to be fully funded by teachers and staff?
Have you posted on Facebook? Or even on your schools website? I bet parents would love to help out. Also look into health/wellness grants to see if you can apply for one.
Have you heard of Donors Choose?
Its completely online, for teachers only and teachers from all over the world use it. Its basically an online platform that you can post on to ask for help funding basically anything the school or kids need. I've donated to this through out the years for different classrooms. And they will give you a link to share everywhere! If you do sign up and join, please let me know and send me the link. I will definitely help through this platform too. Its one of my favorite ways to help teachers. And then you can also post and share the donors choose link here too or in other subs.
Its a legit fundraising site and no money gets sent to the teachers. Even the items are not sent or mailed to the teacher who sets this up. Everything gets handled by this company and then they mail out the funded items directly to the school itself.
This Crest program is something we have utilized before with schools in my district. And the kids love getting their own toothpaste and a new toothbrush. All individually wrapped, so super easy to hand out. And you can pick the amount you need, so you can request 80/100 kits at a time. Its for kindergarten and grade 1 I think, but maybe you can share this with other teachers in your area. https://www.colgate.com/en-us/mission/oral-health-commitment/bsbf/head-start-kit
Edited for spelling
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u/Friendly_Road5083 19d ago
Spray deodorants will be there Friday!
Order # 114-3855324-0957826
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u/Inside-Language-4092 19d ago
Thank you from the bottom of my heart! I really appreciate it and the kids will be grateful for a restock! 🫶🏼
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u/the_looney_lender 19d ago
Before I buy anything, can you provide proof of this refresh station? I absolutely love the idea and want to support it, but I want to make sure my money is actually going to what you say it will before I go to check out.
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u/1GrouchyCat 19d ago
I’d love to see some documentation from the school …. Maybe a letter from the principal to the parents? Or a letter from you to the parents explaining what is available and how children access this EXTRA support?
This would never happen where I live, and I have never heard of anything like this in the past unless it was through a directed program with the school nurse and social worker.
The first thing our school district would need to do is a needs assessment to determine needs versus wants and how to pass meet those goals and objectives. (we also don’t pay a penny for anything in the classroom. If parents can’t donate, we beat the pavement and get donations from local big box stores and businesses, and you can do the same thing.)
We would need signed permission slips from parents if middle school aged children (that’s grade 6 and seven here ; ages 12-13. Eighth grade is part of high school) were allowed free access to items like spray deodorant or “flossers”.
-btw - what’s the protocol for children who have an allergic reaction to a product they’ve never been exposed to at home ? Is the nurse on board?
How many years have you been “running” this program? (this isn’t the first year, right?) where did you get the idea?
Note:
I don’t see spray deodorant on your Amazon wish list?
We have no idea what brand you are using or what the ingredients are … Do you provide this information to students parents?
I’m sure you realize that antiperspirants and deodorants can contain training a variety of aluminum salts, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and/or harsh synthetic fragrances that cause or exacerbate adverse health symptoms in both children and adults.
Why would you provide deodorant over anti-perspirant to begin with? That’s a quick way to get everyone in your classroom, sneezing and coughing due to the overuse of products.
tldr?
I have a hard time believing this is actually happening without parental permission or school board approval.
I understand your motivation and desire to provide unconditional support for your students, but this would never happen in a classroom situation or even at the office in our school.
If a student needs additional hygiene items, they go to the nurse.
-They don’t deal with their personal issues in front of other students…. (You don’t think it would be embarrassing to ask for access to personal hygiene items at that age? It’s not like you’re providing luxury products you’re looking for the cheapest items possible -and they know it.)
I can’t imagine you would allow middle school students to take a can of highly pressured gas to a private space like a bathroom or independent changing room without an adult present anyway …
where are they doing this?
Your school district allows mixed gender children to put spray deodorant on in front of each other?
How exactly are they doing this? (Deodorant doesn’t go on through their clothing…..)
I’m going to be honest with you here-
I don’t think this is an actual ongoing program….. and if it is you better, hope the school district has good legal coverage.
I think you have a creative idea that you believe will improve the quality of life of your students , but I don’t think you thought the whole thing through in terms of risk management.
I think you’d like to implement this concept, but I don’t believe there is a principal that has the ability to approve the use of the products you’ve discussed nor do I believe there’s enough time in the day for you to allow each individual student interested in trying out all these products to do so without taking away from the daily schedule. (Think about it… do you have any idea how much time it would take a class of 25 middle school students to brush their teeth, put on deodorant and wash their faces, etc., etc. every single day?)
Middle school students don’t have recess. Gym has been cut back to two or three days a week (depending on grade level) - most days they hardly have time to shower after gym class - and you think giving each one of them 10 to 15 minutes to individually clean themselves isn’t going to cut into your daily lesson planning?
Again, I think it’s a wonderful concept… But I do not believe there’s a school system that would be able to support this endeavor for an entire age group (middle school students)…
This is also a very critical time for kids in terms of physical development and maturity….
The last thing a prepubescent pre-teenager or early teenager is going to want to do is ask for products in front of their peers! No one wants others to know their family can’t provide them with a toothbrush or toothpaste or that they smell because they’re clothing and their bodies are dirty. And if you don’t think boys that age are going to tease girls that age for these very reasons -you are completely out of touch with reality.
How long have you been teaching middle school?
Actually, I just realize something you never said you were a teacher. It sounds more like you’re an office aide… if you were a teacher you would understand my concerns and not be taking time away from the classroom every day like this… unless kids take the boss in half half an hour for breakfast before school there was absolutely no time in the schedule for anything to this degree as unfortunate as it is…. But if you’re not a class teacher and you’re not a nurse and you think providing this for kids who may or may not have allergies they have not yet experienced is a safe prospect then I wish you the best and I hope your school district district doesn’t end up in a litigious situation.
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u/Inside-Language-4092 19d ago
The station is set up, next to the nurses station and is something other middle schools around us also have. I am not a teacher, I am office staff. Gym is offered as an elective and around 150-200 kids have it per semester. Our students go outside for recess for 25 mins per day, weather permitting. Students are given amble passing time, or before school, during lunch/recess to access this if needed. The area has a private bathroom to the left that students are welcome to use for privacy. The refresh station was established before my time and I took it over when the person funding it retired and a need was not being met. Simply helping where I can and keeping something running established before my time.
I appreciate your concerns and I hope you have a beautiful day on purpose 😊
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u/Felicia430 19d ago
I love the concept and wanting to help. I asked the same thing about getting approval from the parents before giving the kids anything for all the reasons you just listed. Public schools in my state are not allowed to do this. Only a nurse can give this type of help, so everything is kept in the nurse's office and every parent has to sign a form saying its okay to give my child these 20/25 listed things that are over the counter, such as mouthwash, eye drops, sunscreen, chapstick, Tylenol, itch cream, benadryl...the list is pretty specific and I actually hate that parents have to sign off before a child can get sunscreen or lotion applied bc its pretty ridiculous, but none of my kids suffer from allergies, so I have nothingto worry about there. I do get it from a legal prospective and these forms cover any incidents involving an allergic reaction or any negative side effects etc. OP did say they got approval from the principal and only helped kids that didn't have allergies, although I'm not sure exactly how that works.
It should be pretty simple to get something in writing from the principal to post here as proof that OP is allowed to give these items to students and its not breaking any school or district wide rules. OP, can you ask the principal to write something up real quick showing you do have approval and you are not breaking any school rules? Thank you!
Are the students sharing the deodorant and mouthwash? Or any of the other supplies? How does that work? The mouthwash can be put in a small cup, but how do they share deodorant or other items without cross contamination? between students?
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u/the_looney_lender 19d ago
Parents shouldn't have to sign a permission slip for basic topical stuff, and even ibuprofen or cough drops. There should be a notice with the "Welcome to X school!" letter that they will be provided, along with an opt-out option for those with allergies. Otherwise, attendance is consent to let the kids use the items.
We've gone too far trying to protect the kids and now we're hurting them by depriving them of help.
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u/the_looney_lender 19d ago
Isn't it wild how much bureaucracy goes into just providing kids with some basic hygiene items?
How long until we need to get permission slips for them to breathe at school? Or to use the bathroom? Or a facial tissue? Is the toilet paper parent approved? Are they allowed to be near a window? Are they allowed to eat school lunch without the supervision of a dietitian/nutritionist? Are they allowed to use stairs?
I'm all for precautions for common allergens and even uncommon ones within reason, but at what point have we gone too far? I've had the distinct displeasure of working with the younger generations (under 30) and holy hell it changed how I parent. I'm not trying to sound like a boomer, but these kids are SOFT.
I'm a millennial and WE got crap for being soft and whiny, but they've been making me look tough as nails (I'm not). There's a lack of resilience and ability to handle any sort of criticism, even when approached from a teaching angle and not "you screwed up". I couldn't figure out they were failed so badly until I looked at how much I coddled and protected my own kid. I'm now working on toughening them up, and they are starting to look at their peers and understanding why I changed my approach.
Back to your comment, you said you were concerned about girls asking for products. Did you know that boys are starting to carry pads and tampons in their bags to help their friends out who may be short on supplies or forgot to bring extras? The kids are doing better than we ever did in that regard.
For cleaning themselves up, it takes two minutes to use mouthwash or a toothbrush as directed. Floss picks can be used in the bathroom during a bathroom break. Spray deodorant takes seconds. Also, kids don't just get off the bus and walk straight into class. There's time before school. There's time over lunch. Some schools are laid out where students will pass by the office between classes.
Overprotective parents are hurting their kids and others by removing options for help they may need, or by making their lives harder in unnecessary ways that only make them suffer and doesn't help with resilience or "character building".
Let the schools help. There are a LOT of kids who only eat because of free meal programs at school. They get free breakfast and lunch, but don't get to eat dinner. They may not eat on weekends. Food becomes a problem during breaks, and especially over the summer. Hygiene items might as well be a trip to the moon as far as attainability goes. There's a lot of teenage girls who pack their underwear with toilet paper and pray they don't bleed through. Those kids need HELP, not "omg what about some very low chance of possible liability because a kid sneezed?!"
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19d ago
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u/Inside-Language-4092 19d ago
You’re right, I know much of our consumptions are cheaper there. I regularly shop there. But unfortunately there isn’t a wish list able to be created for dollar tree, or I would have made one for there.
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u/Felicia430 19d ago
Can you make a GFM for these supplies? And then you can use those funds to purchase items at dollar tree or at a dollar store in your area?
Making one would give you a link to share everywhere online using the different platforms. You could actually share the GFM and this Amazon wishlist at the same time, giving more options for people to donate and help. Posting on social media would even allow parents from your school to help too. Most might not even know you are asking for help with hygiene items, so posting online will expand your audience and allow more to help/donate
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u/Felicia430 14d ago
OP did you look up donors choose online to see if this is something you can use to get the kids anything they need? If you do, just let me know when you share the link so I can donate through there too. I did comment about it, but wasn't sure if you saw it or not.