Let’s Learn About Germs
Session: Fostering Educator and Caregiver Resilience
How we can help caregivers and educators foster resilience and replenish their capacity to support students after an incredibly challenging few years.
Session Description:
Over the past few years, educators, caregivers, and families have gracefully navigated the most challenging circumstances, focusing almost entirely on ensuring the wellbeing of their children. This webinar invites teachers, caregivers and families to foster their own wellbeing and replenish their inner capacity to support others by learning ways they can build empathy, foster resilience, and cultivate meaningful connections with each other.
Speaker Bios:
Travis Hardy: Travis Hardy is the Director of Programs at Empatico, a digital platform that connects children around the world through virtual exchanges to build relationships, deepen empathy, and bring learning to life. Travis joined the Empatico team in 2017 and has taken on a variety of roles in the organization, including curriculum design, teacher community-building and support, program management, and partner outreach. In his current role, he leads the development of new programs to expand Empatico’s reach and increase its impact through partnership with educators, subject-matter experts, like-minded organizations and edtech companies, schools, and other educational institutions.
Elaine Miller-Karas: Elaine Miller-Karas is the Co-Founder and Director of Innovation of the Trauma Resource Institute and author of the book, Building Resiliency to Trauma, the Trauma and Community Resiliency Models (2015). She has worked internationally to bring healing to the world’s community. Her models to date have been brought to 75 countries in Asia, Africa, North America, Australia, the Mid-East, South America, and Europe. Ms. Miller-Karas is a recognized international speaker and author and has presented the Community Resiliency Model (CRM)® at the Skoll World Forum and the United Nations. Her book was selected by the United Nations curated online library as one of the innovations that can help meet the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. She also launched her successful radio show, Resiliency Within, on VoiceAmerica in 2021. Her full bio can be found here.
Learn About Germs
Now more than ever, it’s vital that parents and teachers work to instill healthy habits amongst children, teaching them the importance of curbing the spread of germs. The helpful resources are packed with information about germs and prevention for a quick and easy at-home lesson. The more kids know about germs, the better they can help protect themselves, their friends, and their loved ones from illness.
PRESENTATION FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
Hand Washing Lesson Plans
PRE-K – HOORAY FOR CLEAN, HEALTHY HANDS
GRADES K-1 – MAKE YOUR OWN SOAP
GRADES 2-3 – CALLING ALL KIDS: BE A HAND WASHING EXPERT!
GRADES 4-5 – CODE BREAKERS HANDOUT
Home Activities
Dear Parents, Families and Educators,
National PTA in partnership with the CDC and Lysol have shared a workshop for your review, Back to School and Germ Prevention in the “New Normal” featuring presentations from:
- David M. Berendes, PhD, MSPH – Epidemiologist, Global Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Team Waterborne Disease Prevention Branch Division of Foodbourne, Waterbourne, and Environmental diseases Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Joseph R. Rubina – Director of Microbiology & Virology, Reckitt Benckiser
- Dr. Jenn Zubler, MD, FAAP – Pediatrician
- Ruth Apgar – Lysol
These are critical documents and conversations to have, to help us understand the biology surrounding COVID-19, virus transmission and prevention, and cleaning and disinfection protocols in schools. It is also important that in your home, and in schools, label directions be followed to ensure a safe space for children.
Six Steps to Stop the Spread
As we enter into cold and flu season, it is more important this year than ever before to teach children about healthy habits at home and in the classroom. When children are healthy, it means that they can be present both physically and mentally to experience the magic of learning.
This year, flu viruses and the virus that causes COVID-19 will both be spreading during the colder months. With flu symptoms similar to those of COVID-19, it is especially important for children to practice healthy habits to avoid getting sick. Lysol encourages parents, teachers, and schools to take the necessary precautions during the fall and winter seasons:
- Get vaccinated: The best way to prevent seasonal flu is to get vaccinated every year. The CDC recommends anyone 6 months of age or older should get a vaccine every flu season.[1] At this time, vaccines for COVID-19 is under development.[2]
- Wash your hands often: Handwashing is one of the best ways to protect yourself from getting sick. Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds and remember to lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails. Always wash your hands before touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.[3]
- Cover coughs and sneezes: Always cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Use the inside of your elbow if you do not have a tissue available. It is also important to wash your hands right after your cough, sneeze, or blow your nose.3
- Download Lysol Welcome Back Packs: Lysol created Welcome Back Packs to help promote healthy habits for in-person learning as part of its HERE for Healthy Schools initiative to help curb the spread of illness in classrooms. Welcome Back Packs are available for teachers nationwide to download and print. They include fun and educational materials, posters, mirror clings, floor decals, and more help support school in-personal learning and educate students on healthy habits. Encourage your school administrators to download and use the Welcome Back Packs in classrooms.
For more information on Lysol HERE for Healthy Schools and the Welcome Back Packs, please visit Lysol.com/Here.
[1] https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/when-how-handwashing.html
[2] https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/faq.html
[3] https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/prevention.html
