How awful! I definitely am not going the vigilante route, but am looking for a more interactive/educational approach to the situation. In some instances, I think the children are more aware than the parents! I already have the principal's and the school nurse's participation which is a plus. I am hoping to have some new ideas or techniques to share to prevent the situation we had last year.
I really want to tell you about a parent that went over board in a class last year. She was upset that her daughter was always so sick so she came in and cleaned all the classroom desks with bleach. She then moved onto other areas of the rooms and the teacher and class came back from music intime to stop her. The room smelled so bad of bleach the teacher ended up taking the class outside for the rest of the day! This mom had NO CLUE the harm she had done!
*she took off the finish of the desk tops
*three children had asthma attacks
*the teacher was so mad...I'll leave that at that
*one child's coat was ruined, she laid it ontop of her desk by accident when she came inside.
My son also had an allergic reaction to the bleach, his arm touched his desk and he had a nice burn mark.
She still doesn't understand what she did wrong but I can tell you she isn't allowed in the school with her cleaning supply caddy! Seriously! :eek:
I plan to meet with the school nurse to send a newsletter home to the entire school with some of these ideas. I wonder if we could have trial size hand sanitizers for each child to use after coughing/sneezing?
Last year we had schools closing in our area for days to a week because of the flu. These schools had over 30% of the students and teachers absent due to the flu. Needless to say, I definitely do not want a repeat of last year!
Thank you all for the great ideas! Please keep them coming.
This may be "old news" to some, but I think it is a great idea that a kindegarten teacher at our school works on with the kids. Covering your mouth/nose when you sneeze or cough is very important, but can you find something quickly to wash those germs off your hand? usually not before a bunch of other things are contaminated. She teaches her kids to turn their heads and cough/sneeze into their upper arms and the germs are not as spreadable. The kids think this is so cool. We also have a teacher who has a eucalyptus candle burning while she is with her classes, she says it helps clear the air. just little thoughts that might help!
Keep the classrooms cool, I'm talking 75 degrees at the WARMEST! I know this may seem a bit cool but the classrooms that were kept cool had less students sick than the techers that felt the need to "crack" the thermostat. This crazy theory has also worked for many years in my home. Not just to save money on our bill but because with 5 kids, if I didn't figure out something we we ALWAYS SICK!
Yeah, the soap and anti-stuff is nice but too much can also harm a kid's natural immun system and they will never be able to fit off a common cold.
Okay, I'm a little radical and have actuallt gone round with a Mom about this, she thought I was crazy for not getting my 5 into the ped for flu shots. My thought was that's 5 shots a seriously ill children can use more than my healthy, happy, nutty bunch need! Also it saved my insurance money!
Even a quick run outside to get some fresh air helps keep the kids happy!
