Hello Teachers!

School is now in session, whether we are ready or not! I hope you took some time this summer to de-germ your classroom because now your students are here and ready to learn. While you are teaching and reminding and teaching and reminding of your new classroom procedures, make sure you explicitly teach what you expect for hygiene in your classroom. Just a few ideas:

·         Tissues- make sure they are available and labeled. Make sure students know how to use them and know where to put them (in the garbage!)

·         Hand Sanitizer- teach them when to use it: after bathroom, after recess, after using a tissue, etc.

·         Coughs- train them to cough into their elbows to trap germs in there instead of on hands.

·         Sickness- STAY HOME! Send a friendly reminder to parents that sending their kid sick to school can infect an entire classroom.

While you’re going over behaviors at recess or computer labs, be sure to include some time on how to properly use the bathroom. That may seem like one of those topics that should definitely NOT need to be covered, but you’d be surprised at how many students think the bathroom is as fun as the playground. Disgusting? Yes. So make sure you address it. Tell them what the bathroom is for, what it is NOT for and how much time they should spend. This is a FANTASTIC time to pull out your GERMBling kit to teach really good hand-washing behaviors!

Good luck this year, teachers! We are truly at the fronts of the battle against germs so we need to be prepared. Arm your students with the best protection and good habits!

Goodbye Germs!

Mrs. T