school kids

As school systems across the country assess reopening plans, the American Cleaning Institute (ACI) unveiled a new toolkit of concise information on proper hygiene, cleaning and disinfecting protocols to help keep the school community healthy and safe.

The online materials are available through the Healthy Schools, Healthy People program, a collaboration of ACI and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), dedicated to supporting school systems nationwide with tools to help reinforce hand hygiene and cleaning practices in an effort to prevent the spread of infectious disease and reduce related absenteeism.

Seventy-eight percent of respondents said they washed their hands with soap and water more frequently, while 46 percent were using hand sanitizers more often.

“For education to continue to thrive, everyone, including faculty, parents, and students need to feel supported and confident in the health and safety of their school community,” says Melissa Hockstad, president and CEO of the American Cleaning Institute. “In particular, we want to assist school nurses in their daily efforts to share important information on hand hygiene, cleaning and disinfecting practices that are a critical part of ensuring health and safety.”

The ACI toolkit includes resources such as a faculty classroom cleaning checklist; a school poster on proper handwashing habits; and a handout for parents and guardians for a safe after-school routine – all aimed to provide guidance on proper protocols in shared spaces and reinforcement of the school’s dedication to cleanliness and health. 

The toolkit is available at cleaninginstitute.org/SchoolHealth.