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Good morning Good Lifers!
You’ve been through a lot over the past few months, and are likely feeling the stress of the beginning of a new school year. It seems like we get new information each day on what school will look like for our precious kiddos, but one thing is certain: Kids have germs. Kids have lots of germs! Let’s talk today about how to help our kids stay safe and healthy as they enter a new school year. Keeping kids healthy may feel like a big LEMON now, but here are 5 items that will help you and your kids turn it into lemonade!
I’m not going to talk to you today about facemask and shields. Chances are your local school district has a policy in place that you will need to follow. I’ll provide some links to some at the bottom, but today we’re going to talk about making Kid Kits. A little bundle of personal health items for your kids to take to school.
Let’s get the obvious ones out the way first:
1) Tissue. I know, I know these are ALWAYS on the supply lists and every family tries to donate as often as they can but…Shared classroom tissue boxes? YUCK! Students who need a tissue are likely sneezing or coughing in their hands as they walk toward that box. SO MANY GERMS! A single pack that your child can keep to themselves will stop the need to go into the sneezing, coughing zone around the class box.
2) Hand sanitizer. It’s hard to find right now, but it is worth having. A class bottle is nice for teachers to have on hand, but that bottle is often sitting next to that dreaded tissue box that we’ve already discussed. Sure, everyone can get a pump on the way to lunch or after needing a tissue but wouldn’t it be great for kids to be able to have a quick way to clean their hands throughout the day. A sanitizer that mists would be great for older students who are changing classes. A quick desk spray down each period could go a long way toward staying healthy
Now on to a few less obvious items…
3) UV sterilizer box. OK, I know these are a bit pricier but hear me out. There are options in a multitude of price points, and they are great for a quick solution to the inevitable germ infested items. Pens, pencils, markers, phones…you name it and our kids will allow others to touch it in a school setting. No matter how many talks we have with our children they will innocently allow other children to touch their things. This little box could alleviate some of that germ sharing.
4) Personal thermometer. Most school clinics are small and cramped. Students come in and out to take daily medication, get band-aids, and call home for various reasons. Staying out of school clinics should always be a priority for our kids. A small thermometer for easy personal monitoring could prevent unneeded trips.
5) Microfiber cloth. This one might sound strangest of all, and I’m not advocating for your child(ren) to scrub down the school around them I promise! Older students will be changing classes. Who knows where students will be eating lunch and snacks? A microfiber cloth paired with a few other items on the list may be useful. A quick sanitizer mist on a desk that multiple others have occupied followed by a wipe with this cloth and your germ free learning environment is ready. A run through the uv sterilizer and the cloth is ready for another use.
I don’t want our kids to be robbed of life experiences, but I do want to keep them safe and healthy as they explore the world through their learning environment. Let’s equip them to the best of our ability!
BONUS: As promised here are some masks and shields that your kids might like. We are all trying to make the best of a tough situation while protecting our most precious gifts.
