Millions of American children miss at least 15 days of school a year because of sickness, lack of interest, family responsibilities or even drug abuse. But there’s another reason – cleanliness. When kids don’t have clean clothes, they are often too embarrassed to attend school. Whirlpool helped lower chronic absenteeism by donating washers and dryers to 17 schools in two school districts in St. Louis, MO, and Fairfield, CA, through its Care Counts program. Students brought in any laundry they could fit into a single bag as often they needed, and parents or teachers washed & dried the clothes for them for free.
The result for those who used the service?
- More than 90% of students attended more oftenthan they did before the program began
- More than 89% of students participated more in class,
- 95% interacted with their peers more, and
- Almost all of them were reported as being more motivated.
Maybe it’s time for washers & dryers in some of our Loudoun County Public Schools? Read the full article here.
