Washing Machines In Schools May Improve Attendance
On our blog, we’ve discussed before the dangers of chronic absenteeism in schools. Poorly cleaned areas can be one cause, but another unexpected reason may also be involved: a lack of clean clothes.
Low-income students may not have access to the resources to have clean clothes on a daily basis. Parents may work long hours and are not always able to make it to a laundromat. The social stigma of reusing the same set of dirty or smelly clothes may keep some children at home. How to counter this problem?
Business Insider magazine recently reported on a trial run of some schools using washing machines at the school itself.
Writer Chris Weller explains:
“During the 2015-2016 school year, teachers and other staff members told students to bring in whatever laundry they could fit in a single bag as often they needed. Parents or teachers from the school would handle the cleaning that day, at no cost to families.”
“The direct effects would be that the students are not embarrassed to come to school because they have clean clothes,” sociologist Richard Arum, dean of UCI’s School of Education, told the magazine.
According to Weller, the results lead to “90% of kids attending school more often and 89% greater class participation.”
Weller says the plan is to expand the program from 17 schools to 60 by August 2017, including schools in St. Louis, New Orleans, Chicago, Atlanta, and Los Angeles.
Ultimately, the primary ideal behind this endeavor is to help all students feel included and equal, which will benefit everyone in the long term.
Johnston and Cleaning
At Johnston, we can assist with keeping schools clean from floors, to bathrooms, and even clothes. Learn more about how we can help. Speak with one of our representatives today to create a customized cleaning plan that will best fit your needs! Visit our contact page at https://www.johnston.biz/contact
About Johnston
Johnston has always stood for reliability, commitment, quality, and service. Our heritage means years of accumulated industry knowledge, the ability to see the bigger picture, and the know-how to determine the best possible approach. Combining this mastery with the drive to deliver exceptional results, Johnston goes beyond sales, developing strategic, end-to-end tailored solutions for each customer since 1881.
