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Original poster

School don't have sanitary bins?? How do I handle it?

18 replies

Katymac · 25/05/2007 08:04

Poor DD has started her periods (age 9) and told me she put a sanitary towel (wrapped in tissue) in her cless room bin yesterday as there isn't a bin in the toilets?

What do I say to her teacher - I'm not sure I want to talk about it with the teacher - but I need to do something

I guess I am going to have to phone up - it just feels a bit odd

Should she get a bin in the Yr4 loos or should she go to the older childrens loos?

OP posts:

GlassSlipper · 25/05/2007 08:06

You need to make the teacher aware so they can accomodate her needs.

kid · 25/05/2007 08:07

At my DCs school, girls are allowed to use the adults toilets as long as they let an adult know.
I am sure they will let her use the bigger girls toilets. How long until she is meant to use those toilets?

Sobernow · 25/05/2007 08:08

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Ceolas · 25/05/2007 08:09

well done to your DD for disposing of it in the bin

As glassslipper says, you have to speak to the school, be it office or teacher to let them know. She can't be the only one in the school to have ever started at 9.

Original poster

Katymac · 25/05/2007 08:10

I think it will be odd if she has to go to another part of the school to do a wee

It's a bit confusing - as I don't know what I want

OP posts:

Ceolas · 25/05/2007 08:12

I think a bin in the loos she normally uses is best. That way she doesn't need to draw any attention to herself.

FrannyandZooey · 25/05/2007 08:14

Yes, if some of the girls using the toilets your dd uses need a sanitary bin, then they should have a sanitary bin in their toilet. They shouldn't have to go to a different part of the school to use one.

Original poster

Katymac · 25/05/2007 08:15

I think she is the only one atm

OP posts:

Ceolas · 25/05/2007 08:16

Even if she is the only ont atm, she won't be the only one ever.

FrannyandZooey · 25/05/2007 08:16

Well, one girl, or twenty girls, she needs a bin

corblimeymadam · 25/05/2007 08:18

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

saggers · 25/05/2007 08:22

I has a similar experience with a little girl in my class a few years ago. Her mum came to tell me, and we had a sanitary bin put in the Y3/4 toilets the next day. I wouldn't hesitate to speak to the class teacher about it. I think a bin in 'her' toilets is preferable to her using different toilets. She may not even be the only girl who has started her period already.

Original poster

Katymac · 25/05/2007 08:39

The teacher said she could go to the older girls loos

I said I didn't really want that - but it was OK for today

I asked for a bin in the Yr4 - apparently they don't have ordinary bins because yr4's make a mess......But they would think about putting a Sanitary bin in them

OP posts:

Anna8888 · 25/05/2007 09:05

You should probably approach the head or the facilities manager (if there is one), politely and in writing, asking for sanitary bins to be put in the loos your daughter and her class normally use.

It is not acceptable in 2007 for primary school girls not to have easy access to sanitary bins. Puberty starts earlier and earlier.

My sister, in 1987, had to wage a campaign with some of her fellow female students at a Cambridge college to get sanitary bins installed in what had long been a mixed college...

ThisIsDavinaPleaseDoNotSwear · 25/05/2007 09:21

Katymac, a primary school will have a number of girls in shool who have started their periods so they should have some provision.

Why don't want you want to talk to your dd's teacher (is it a male or female teacher).

My dd started in year 5 and I spoke to her teacher (after checking with dd this was ok!) and we discussed all the practicalities etc. She is allowe to use the staff loo when she has her period and carries spare towels/undies/nappy sack and wet wipes with her in her school bag (well concealed).

Her teacher also has spares of everything and makes sure that everything is dealt with sensitively and discreetly.

Your dd need to feel that she has someone to turn to at school for help when you are not there so let her know that her know that her teacher and the staff in the office will be well used to dealing with this.

Bless her, she will cope just fine I'm sure

stleger · 25/05/2007 09:28

They should have a bin. And I want to say thankyou to a teacher in England.... we spent a term in Cambridge a few years ago, we live in Ireland. DD1 was in Year Five, and the girls had a session with a teacher from a different class. She had started her first period in school when she was 10, hadn't a clue what was happening, and every year gave a little talk to the girls to tell them how to cope in the practicalities. Thank you, kind teacher, it is a great thing to do.

HonoriaGlossop · 25/05/2007 09:45

Yes I would insist that a bin goes in the loos she would normally use. She should not have to feel singled out by having to go to another loo.

Poor thing, though, starting at 9! As Anna said puberty is starting earlier so I'm sure she's not unusual in the grand scheme of things - just seems a shame for her to have to deal with it at 9!

Saggarmakersbottomknocker · 25/05/2007 11:32

Katymac - I work in a Primary and we have sanitary bins in the Junior girls toilets and in the disabled loo. They need to make provision for her in her usual loo.

I would put her teacher in the picture and have a word with the someone in the office - they'll be the ones sorting it out. If they already have a bin in the staff toilet then it's only a case of calling the contractor and getting an extra one.

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