Hygiene Etiquette

Handwashing

Proper hand-washing techniques include lathering hands with soap, scrubbing between fingers, washing the backside of each hand, scrubbing each wrist, washing underneath fingernails and rinsing with water. The process should take 20 seconds.

Elementary schools will provide frequent opportunities for students to wash hands, including before and after recess, lunch and other activities.

Hand sanitizing

If soap and water are not readily available in some classrooms, hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol will be used (for staff and older children who can safely use hand sanitizer). Elementary students will also sanitize their hands every time they enter and exit the classroom.

Staff in secondary schools will encourage students to sanitize hands each time they enter and exit a classroom and frequently throughout the day. Students will be instructed to cover all surfaces of their hands with sanitizer and rub them together until their hands feel dry.

Each school will have free-standing hand sanitizing stations positioned throughout the school in high traffic areas, including the main office, library, counseling center, cafeteria and gym. Hand sanitizing stations also will be used at the entrances of extracurricular events.

Respiratory etiquette

Staff, students and school visitors will continue to be encouraged to exercise proper respiratory etiquette, which includes covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue. Used tissues should be thrown in the trash and hands washed immediately with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.