Scheduled Routines

Clean hands save lives! Germs are everywhere. They can get onto hands and items we touch during daily activities and make us sick. Cleaning hands at key times with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% ethanol or 70% isopropyl alcohol content if soap and water is not readily available is one of the most important steps a person can take to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to those around you. Cleansing hands helps prevent a variety of infections because:

• People frequently touch their eyes, nose, and mouth without even realizing it. Germs can get into the body through the mouth, nose, and eyes and make us sick.
• Germs from unwashed hands can be transferred to other objects, like handrails, tabletops, or keyboards, and then be transferred to another person’s hands.
• Removing germs through handwashing therefore helps prevent diarrhea and respiratory infections and may even help prevent skin and eye infections.

In the Brandywine School District, we will establish a culture of hand hygiene by:

• Daily hand washing routines, especially at key times such as bathroom breaks or after playing outside.
• All students will wash their hands prior to eating lunch or snacks.
• All classrooms and offices will be supplied with hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol (per CDC recommendation). Hand sanitizers may be placed near frequently touched surfaces (e.g. doors, shared equipment) and areas where soap and water are not readily available (e.g. cafeterias, classrooms, gym).
• Students at the elementary level will have adult-supervised access and use of the hand sanitizer.
• Staff are to wash hands or use hand sanitizer every time a new group of students enters their room.

Hand Sanitizer Opt-Out
If your child is unable to use hand sanitizer for any reason, please complete this form and return it to your child's school nurse. En español

Additional Information

• ​Children are more apt to develop healthy hygiene habits and routines when the routines at school and at home are similar.  Click Here  to access a video demonstrating the hand washing routine taught and used in BSD elementary classrooms.
• ​The BSD Facilities Department purchased and installed 750 battery operated, motion-activated soap dispensers.  We have a stock of 375 cases of soap on hand.
• In addition, the Facilities Department purchased and installed an additional 250 paper towel dispensers.

Resources

• CDC  "When to Use Soap and Water and When to Use Hand Sanitizer" 
• CDC  "Lavado de Manos:  Mantenga Sana a Su Familia"
• CDC  "Handwashing: Keeping Your Family Healthy"