To be struggling with school uniform costs

[pizzatuesdays]

DD managed to get mud all over her blazer and skirt.

I just can't afford to get them cleaned. So i sent her in without the blazer and a note. She has been put in isolation tomorrow.

I am really sick of it. AIBU?

DD fell into a pond that is not reaĺly a pond but it is covered in mud and filth and slime.

Tbf, that isn't going to be the easiest thing to handwash...

Why do people keep advising her to wash a dry clean only garment? Yes it might be OK, but it might be ruined, and then she will have to buy a new one. I washed a wool skirt of my Mums on a delicate wash and it was totally ruined. It shrank by about 3 inches, and not evenly either. It was just a total mess
No YANBU OP. I would be fuming if my kid's school had dry clean only uniform. It's absolutely ridiculous. It's really time something was done about this stupid school uniform situation in this country that actually causes hardship for some families, and ends up disrupting children's education.
Just for future reference, I believe you can buy home dry cleaning kits that are cheaper than using a professional dry cleaner. I think you have to have a tumble dryer though. Hope this helps.

Yes she was submerged. She fell in a pond.

Sirzy I cant afford it. Did you enjoy making me say that?

No bath. Only shower

Please stop giving me washing advice.

You did sound as though you were asking how to wash a blazer. Stop getting so wound up when people respond to what at least part of the question appeared to be.

Is the muddy blazer the only issue, or is there a back story somewhere along the line?

Oh thats nice susan, send her wet and freezing and dirty when she already had a horrible fright?

I did speak to the school.

Sorry for getting emotional - thanks for your replies, its just hard.

I would go off on the school. Seriously. She owns the uniform. She fell. Her uniform is covered in mud. You don't have a spare; you don't have a washing machine; you have no money to have it dry cleaned this week. THey are, in effect, punishing your DD for being poor.

I would go nuts at the school. And I saw that as a parent whose high school student has NEVER had a detention, is in the top 5% in all subjects (if not higher), and is very well liked by his teachers. I would not stand for having him punished because we could not afford to sort out a uniform in such circumstances. IN fact, I have stepped in when his school shoes were taken home by another child after a school sport, and he freaked out because it would mean a detention. I made it very clear to the school that it would most certainly NOT mean a detention, and I expected them to work with him until his shoes were returned by the student who had taken them. They did and the shoes were returned 2 days later.

Make it very clear that you feel they are discriminating against your child because you are poor. You are doing your best. Tell them you will not stand for it, and you will get the blazer cleaned hwen you can afford it, are they can lend her one until you can if they care that much about a single item of clothing. She's in the rest of the uniform, no? Then they should live with that.

Have you contacted student services? In many schools they have spares that can be borrowed.

If the blazer isn’t going to be washed/clean anytime soon then it’d be worth asking.

Also can you email the form teacher and ask what you can do in this situation?

So just tell the school what you've told us. No dramas.

What did the School say when you explained?

Thank you beware

She is never in trouble. That was why the punishment came as such a shock.

Why do people keep advising her to wash a dry clean only garment? Yes it might be OK, but it might be ruined, and then she will have to buy a new one.

Because the only alternative she has is to leave it to fester in pond slime! Which will make it smell disgusting and require harsher chemicals and more agitating to clean.

Don't understand what you wanted from this thread???? People have given advice you asked them to stop ?

Did you want someone to pay the dry cleaning bill

Sirzy you know what happened. I really think you are just trying to upset me now. I sent a note in explaining and apologising. Dd was put in isolation anyway.

Please stop giving me washing advice.

So you’re just going to let the blazer sit and go to waste? How does that help your financial situation when you have to buy a new one? You could at least attempt to wash it!

No lucy i wanted advice on approaching the school which someone gave.

Has it occurred to you how hard admitting you dont have money is

But i dont think you care do you

Also, phone the school in person yourself. Explain what happened and ask whether they have any blazers or skirts in their lost property or second hand uniform cupboards that your DD could use.

Ask then whether or not they could reconsider the isolation, unless there is more going on here.

Was there messing around going on at the "pond"?

Why do you not want people to give you washing advice? They are trying to help you!

Or maybe you want to start an anti-school rant, but it's not going the way you want it to.

I have been a teacher for 20 years. Please let the school know that you are struggling to pay for laundrette costs. I would be astounded if they didn't understand, sympathise and try to help.

Some schools even wash children's uniforms on site if their parents can't afford the laundrette or the electricity!

Does she attend private or public school?

Donny have I said that Ive left it covered in pond slime

No

Ive tried. But there is no way she can wear it to school. Cleaning it will have to wait until thursday.

Thanks for advice. Some people are just being provocative so I will leave it

Sorry this has happened OP, but best to make some lemonade out of it! She will know you’ve got her back. What’s your favourite thing to do together?

Like i say cock purposefully provocative

The OP knows how to wash a blazer.
I'm wondering why she didn't.
However - the punishment was excessive. I doubt the Op's DD is on the same level as the uniform rebels at my DS's school. Earrings, make-up, trainers (and that's just the boys!)