Setting Up a Healthy Classroom

August 11th, 2014 by Loretta Lanphier, NP, BCTN, CN, CH, HHP

Setting Up a Healthy Classroom

The month of August finds most teachers already in their classrooms getting ready for that all-important first day of school. We all know that germs in the classroom are nothing new. Unfortunately, now, more than ever, a healthy classroom is important. From the first Autumn sniffles to full-blown cold and flu season, teachers and students are continually exposed to bacteria, fungus, and viruses. Fortunately, there are safe and non-toxic steps that you can employ to set up a healthy classroom from the very first day of school to the last day of school. You will be amazed at how this can help to promote wellness in the classroom.

As a former private piano teacher of over twenty years, I know, from experience, the importance of promoting a healthy learning environment. In fact, I’m often asked if going the extra mile to try to promote wellness is worth it, and my answer is always “absolutely!”

Healthy Classroom Facts: Your Classroom May Not be as Clean as You Think

  • The average school desk has more than 20,000 germs on it.
  • Colds result in 189 million school days lost each year.
  • When students use sanitizer in a school setting, they are 33% less likely to be absent due to illness.
  • Surfaces teachers touch have 10x more bacteria per square inch than other professions.
  • 96% of school nurses agree that when a child comes to school sick, other children tend to catch his or her virus.
  • Studies have shown that the dirtiest thing in any classroom is the community pencil sharpener, says Charles Gerba, Ph.D., a professor of microbiology at the University of Arizona in Tucson. Send children with a personal pencil sharpener or mechanical pencils.
  • Research done at the University of Arizona found that desk surfaces, computer keyboards, and computer mice ranked high in levels of five bacteria: E.coli, Klebsiella pneumonia, Streptococcus, Salmonella, and Staphylococcus aureus.
  • The average American child has six to 10 colds a year. In fact, children’s colds cause more doctor visits and missed school days than any other illness.
  • A 2005 study of germs in schools found that classroom water fountain spigots and plastic cafeteria trays were the germiest spots in school. The spigot had 2,700,000 and the tray 33,800 bacteria per square inch, compared with 3,200 on the restroom toilet seat. This is most likely because toilet seats get cleaned regularly, while trays and water fountains may not be.

ACS200 Extra Strength Silver

11 Wellness Strategies for Your Healthy Classroom

Below are some ways to implement a healthy classroom for your students and for you.

1. Every day before class: Wipe door handles and frames, walls, counters, and computer keyboards, including the mouse and desktops that are touched by hundreds of hands every day, with an effective non-toxic sanitizer and a microfiber towel. This will limit the spread of viruses and bacteria in as you work to create a healthy classroom. If experiencing a flu outbreak, try to do this at least two times daily.

2. Make sure that students wash their hands (soap and warm water are fine) before and after breakfast, snacks, lunch, and after each bathroom visit. Of course, this is more difficult to monitor with older students, but friendly reminders will be helpful.

3. Set up a sanitation station in your healthy classroom that includes: a liquid pump, non-antibacterial soap, non-toxic hand sanitizer*, tissue and paper towels to dry hands, and a waste basket. Instruct students that they must wash, dry, and sanitize (in that order) their hands before leaving the station.

4. For prevention, talk to students about the importance of coughing into their bent arms/sleeves and washing their hands to stop the spreading of germs. Remind them to avoid touching their eyes, mouth, or nose with their fingers/hands…especially during cold and flu season. During the first few weeks of school, go over your “wellness strategies” every day.

5. If possible and funds permit, invest in an air purifier for your healthy classroom. A good air purifier can remove 99.97 percent of the pollen, dust, animal dander, and even bacteria from the air. There are very good ones that will last for more than several years for an investment of less than $100.00.

6. If school policies allow, purchase an essential oil diffuser and diffuse lemongrass for ten minutes several times daily. Diffuse for 15 minutes before school, during lunch, and again after school. Some children may have allergies to certain oils, be mindful of this.

7. Cut down on clutter as well as items that harbor pathogens and dust mites. Examples would be rugs, sofas, and bean bag chairs.

8. Always be on the lookout for students as well as teachers with symptoms of illness, such as flu. They should be sent home immediately. No teacher or student should arrive ill.

9. Encourage children to use their own crayons, pencils, rulers, etc. and not to borrow from or lend to other students.

10. Proper ventilation is also important. If possible, open windows and doors to let fresh air in and circulate the air whenever possible.

11. Remind all students not to share. Beyond sticking to their own food, school supplies, and drinks, older students should avoid sharing lipstick or lip balm and drinking from shared drinks. They should also use their own face make-up, razors, creams, and lotions to avoid skin infections, including MRSA and herpes. Items such as earbuds, locker-room towels, sports jerseys and helmets, and baseball gloves should also be off-limits for sharing.

BONUS: If allowed, I highly suggest sending an email or note to parents letting them know that you are trying to implement a healthy classroom. Ask them for their help in making sure their child eats healthy, gets at least eight hours of sleep every night, gets sunshine, and exercises every day.

RELATED: Back To School: Ten Tips to Keep Your Children Healthy During the School Year

*Studies have reported that triclosan and triclocarban (often included in hand sanitizers) may add to the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, disrupt the development of the brain and reproductive system and accumulate in plants and animals. Parabens, identified as estrogen mimics, have been linked to reproductive problems in lab animals, as well as allergies and skin irritation. In a new study, half of the newborns in a Brooklyn-based study were exposed in the womb to triclosan, and one-fourth were exposed to triclocarban.

Loretta Lanphier is a Naturopathic Practitioner, Board Certified Traditional Naturopath, Certified Clinical Nutritionist, Holistic Health Practitioner, and Certified Clinical Herbalist as well as the CEO / Founder of Oasis Advanced Wellness in The Woodlands TX. She studies and performs extensive research in health science, natural hormone balancing, anti-aging techniques, nutrition, natural medicine, weight loss, herbal remedies, and non-toxic cancer support, and is actively involved in researching new natural health protocols and products. A 22-year stage 3 colon cancer survivor, Loretta is able to relate to both sides of the health coin as a patient and practitioner when it comes to health and wellness. “My passion is counseling others about what it takes to keep the whole body healthy using natural and non-toxic methods.” Read Loretta’s health testimony, Cancer: The Path to Healing. Loretta is a Contributor and Editor of the worldwide E-newsletter Advanced Health & Wellness
†Results may vary. Information and statements made are for education purposes and are not intended to replace the advice of your doctor. Oasis Advanced Wellness/OAWHealth does not dispense medical advice, prescribe, or diagnose illness. The views and nutritional advice expressed by Oasis Advanced Wellness/OAWHealth are not intended to be a substitute for conventional medical service. If you have a severe medical condition or health concern, see your physician of choice.Save

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