A Newark principal has installed washers and dryers for students who were being bullied for having dirty uniforms.
Akbar Cook is the principal at West Side High School, but when he was vice principal he noticed students were missing class after being bullied because of their hygiene and the condition of their clothes. “I refuse to let a kid come to school smelling or dirty and I’m sitting on a shirt that says ‘West Side on it,’” Cook also gives students unused school memorabilia to wear.
“They were choosing to stay home rather than coming to school to be bullied or ridiculed,” he said. “We didn’t know until we started making calls.” Thanks to donations from UPS and a $20,000 grant from PSEG Foundation laundry detergent and other cleaning supplies have been provided for the school.
While their clothes are being washed, students participate in STEM programs.
Way to go, Mr. Cook!
