LOFT FORUM

this is great!

I always make sure that I am drinking enough water during the day.  Staying hydrated is one of my key steps to staying healthy and feeling great.

I have my students wipe down their desks every other day with Clorox wipes.  I asked parents to send them in with their child at the beginning of flu season and explained what they would be used for.  Parents LOVED the idea and had no problems sending in more than one canister with their child.

Thank you

Thanks!

thank you

don't under estimate hand washing

Great idea!

I find traveling as much as possible is what makes me feel my best at school. I figure a positive mental attitude helps with overall health. Because I like to travel so much, I need your help, teachers. I have entered a contest to win a million frequent flyer miles, and I need some votes. Please go to americanwaymag.com/roadwarrior and vote for Amy Zimmer. You even have a shot at winning five free nights at any Hilton just for voting. Please get all of your teacher friends to vote, too! Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Looks like a great program and I'm looking forward to the benefits!

Thanks~!

I agree with Amanda about the Clorox wipes. We had our students bring them as well. They love being responsible each day and wiping down their own desk. Plus, it helps me out too and makes your classroom smell great!

Very Exciting.  Cannot wait to have pleasant thoughts during the work days.- all seven.

Having students wash their hands after sneezing or coughing also works.

Great Idea

Boo hoo, our district will not allow use of any kind of wipes that have chemcals in them in the classrooms. That leaves it up to our custodians to wipe down surfaces after school with disinfectant, and it's pretty obvious it isn't getting done. We do have Purell sanitizer dispensers in each classroom (don't know why that's OK in lieu of the wipes!) so that should help somewhat.

We place bottles of hand sanitizer all around the school.

This flu season is especially challenging on wardrobes! KathleenP

Thank-you Ann Taylor Loft!

DBF

a fun activity is to fill a plastic bag (sandwich size) with confetti and air.  twist the top so it is tight, pretend to sneeze and pop the bag.  the confetti gets all over the place! just like our germs.  the kids are grossed out and it gets to the point!

good luck!

Thank you Ann Taylor!

Thanks for the added tips!  I ask the students to cover their mouth with their shoulder/arm portion of their body.  That helps shield the germs.  I also hydrate myself, eat well, stretch every morning and night and wash hands consistently.

Thank You!  Maddee

Debra--

Would your district allow you to have all-natural cleansing wipes in the classroom?  Method makes all-surface wipes that are made from all plant derived products, are pretty inexpensive, and smell nice on top of it.  I'm allergic to some cleaning chemicals, so I use these instead and they work pretty great.  

Burt's Bees makes a great, Aloe and Witch Hazel, natural hand sanitizer spray that fits easily in a purse or a desk drawer.  It smells wonderful and dries quickly.

I keep a large bottle af hand sanitizer on my bookshelf. As the students entr my classroom, they squirt a little bit on their hands. I take vitamins, excercise, and try to get enough rest so that I can stay well. I also keep a clorox wipes in my class to clean my desk.

want to start shopping at the Loft

In order to say healthy I wash my hands more often. I keep sanitizer on my desk, at the podium, and near my computer. I use a sanitizer spray in the room to kill germs. I talk to my students about healthy habits to follow when they feel sick. I try to use organic products so that I do not end up with another problem by using too many chemicals.

L.octavia

I have a news letter that goes out to my families each week. Just this week I included an article about keeping the flu at bay!

Stacy H.

I always wash my hands and try to get a ton of sleep.  It seems to be easier to go to bed early for my kids since daylight savings time, so we are all getting a little bit more sleep.  If you are tired, your defenses are down and then you tend to get sick quicker.

Muscatine, Iowa

Hand sanitizer is the best.  I used it today when someone coughed all over a pen that was borrowed from me.

Linda E

That's why I don't let anyone borrow my pens or pencils.

awesome!

hand sanitizer by the door is a must.

Great suggestions.  I agree having students wipe down their desks, even with soap and water from the restroom keeps the germs at bay.  It also gives students a chance to "take charge" of their area and have some responsibility in taking good care of each other and themselves.  As for yourself, remember to not touch your face with your hands and drink plenty of water.

Thank You so much!  As all teachers know we can use a discount whenever we are offered one.  Again thank you for thinking of us!!

Dian S.

Open those windows in the classroom! freeze out the germs let some fresh air in!!!

Teachers are very appreciate of savings, as we need it!  Thank you!

We get more sleep, take echinacea, encourage vitamins, liquids, and a good diet.  My students who take vitamins seem to stay above the water in catching colds.

Thank you.

Thank you for your support

Good advise

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At our school we have special hand washing procedures.  When students was their hands they have been taught to sing "Happy Birthday" twice before rinsing.  We also use alcohol based sanitizer throughout the day.  It is supposedly effective against H1N1.  Signs have been posted that we are a GERM FREE area and administration is making sure parents understand that no child who is sick can come to school until their fever has been gone for 24 hours without medication.  We encourage and teach our kids to eat healthy, get good sleep, and stay away from sick friends or siblings!  

As a nursing instructor at our local technical college, my students and I are constantly exposed to all kinds of things...the H1N1 virus included.  Handwashing certainly is the best thing you can do, and do it frequently!  We also use the hand gels for times inbetween patients and other tasks.  The hand gels are anti-bacterial, so they won't help with the viruses.  Staying home when you are sick, staying away from those who are sick, and WASHING your hands are the best things to do.  Also, get the vaccine if/when it is available!