M E M O

TO:                 Principals, Staff, and Parents

FROM:           Randy Schexnayder, Superintendent

DATE:           August 20, 2009

SUBJECT:    Hand washing/hand sanitizer/baby wipes

According to Dr. Tina Stefanski, Regional Medical Director of Office of Public Health, hand washing with soap and water is the #1 defense to prevent the spread of germs/illnesses in the school setting.  It is recommended that students use alcohol-based hand sanitizer only if they are not able to wash hands with soap and water.  Any soap is effective in removing germs from the hands if hand washing is performed properly.

Baby wipes are not effective in killing germs on student’s hands or surfaces.  Therefore baby wipes should not take the place of hand washing or alcohol based hand sanitizers.  Use of baby wipes for purposes other than diapering is discouraged.

In grades Pre-K through 4^th, staff may administer hand sanitizer to students.  In grades 5^th through 12^th students may possess and self administer hand sanitizer or staff may administer this product.

cc:  School Nurses