Welcome back! I hope everyone had a relaxing (and germ free) break and you’re ready to get back into the school year! Like last year, I want to start by giving tips for starting out your school year as germ free as possible. My biggest tip? Don’t forget your manipulatives! If you have plastic math or reading manipulatives, like base ten blocks, unifix cubes or letter magnets, think of how many little hands touch those each year! Eew. Here are a few tips for cleaning:

·         The easiest way to clean is by putting them in your dishwasher! Try this trick with your hard plastic pieces that you know wont melt with the heat dryer.

·         Another good way to disinfect is with bleach. Add ¼ cup bleach to a gallon of water and soak all of your little plastic pieces. Make sure you rinse them really well before getting them back in your daily rotations!

·         If you have stuffed items and are worried about dust mites? Put it in the freezer for a few hours!

·         Don’t forget your playground equipment. Take a bucket of soapy water outside with a hose and scrub those soccer balls and jump ropes.

Also take a few minutes to thank your janitor. While you were drinking fruity drinks by the pool this summer (weren’t we all?), they were shampooing your carpets and dusting your blinds. They have a yucky job! Help them feel appreciated!

My biggest advice to you as you start your year is that you build good hygiene habits into your daily routines. Isn’t that what the first month is for? SHOW your students the appropriate way to wash hands, blow noses and use hand sanitizer. If your classroom has a sink, make soap available for good washing habits. Make sure they know the right way to use it or you’ll end up with a first grader trying to wash his hair in the sink. I learned that lesson the hard way!

 Order your GermBling system so you can show your students the importance of hygiene and take time to teach this during the first few weeks. By starting them on good habits now, you’ll be able to better combat the upcoming cold and flu season!

Good luck teachers! And Goodbye Germs!

Mrs. T