Tips for After School Healthy Habits

September 24, 2023 By Leave a Comment

Remember to encourage healthy habits to help avoid the spread of germs.

Lysol Sanitizer

Students are officially back to school, and so is increased exposure to viruses and bacteria. Try refreshing your sanitizing and disinfecting routine at home and practicing healthy habits with your kids. Here are a few tips that can help your family avoid the spread of illness-causing viruses and bacteria: 

Utilize Lysol Air Sanitizer  

Introducing Lysol Air Sanitizer, the first antimicrobial product approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to effectively kill 99.9% of viruses and bacteria1 and eliminate odors2 in the air when used correctly. Traditional air fresheners only freshen the air, and traditional disinfectant sprays kill viruses and bacteria on surfaces, but Lysol Air Sanitizer is a first-of-its-kind product in the air-care category that is proven to sanitize the air.  

Boost Immunity With Nutrition 

Eating a well-balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, proteins and dairy can give your child’s immune system the strength it needs to ward off potential illnesses.3 When your children are enjoying their after-school snack or family dinner, remember to reflect all of these food groups in their meals and remind your child the importance of making healthy choices. 

Reinforce Regular Handwashing  

When your child comes home from a long day of fun and learning at school, it’s important to remind them that germs and bacteria can live on the surfaces that they touch frequently like doorknobs, tables, chairs, toys, etc. Encourage them to wash their hands regularly using soap and water and make sure they are washing for at least 20 seconds.4 

As the school year unfolds and your child immerses themselves in learning, friendships and experiences, remember that a healthy body supports a healthy mind. These tips can help your family have a protected and happy school year ahead! 

National PTA does not endorse any commercial entity, product or service. No endorsement of Lysol is implied. 

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Plan Ahead for a Healthy School Year

September 3, 2023 By Leave a Comment
ids running into school

Our kids are returning to school, but germs don’t have to. We’ve all learned just how important in-person learning is to our children’s academic and social development. Maximizing in-school time requires protecting our kids from the spread of the flu and other illnesses caused by germs. Local PTAs can play a role in cultivating healthy habits that make a big difference.  

We’re Here for Healthy Schools

Since 2012, National PTA has partnered with Lysol to help reduce student absences due to illness by cultivating habits that help to reduce the spread of germs. Our collaboration expanded in 2019 when Lysol launched its Here for Healthy Schools initiative and took on even more urgent importance during the COVID-19 pandemic. This fall, we’re continuing the effort. 

Our partners at Lysol have developed free resources—including lesson plans, activities, posters and stickers—that educators and PTAs can use to help instill germ-curbing habits in a way kids find memorable and fun. This back-to-school season, Lysol is reintroducing a favorite: the Welcome Back Pack. Refreshed for the 2023-2024 school year, these physical and digital resource packs provide engaging materials to reinforce healthy habits with students. 

School nurse Holly Giovi of Deer Park, N.Y., says, “This initiative equips educators with an arsenal to impart lasting habits and reinforce a culture of health-consciousness. By empowering students to embrace proper hand hygiene, respiratory etiquette and regular sanitization, we expand their defenses against infectious illnesses and promote a more conducive atmosphere for learning.” 

Find out what your local school is doing to reduce the spread of germs. Not every school has a full-time nurse to lead the charge, so you can help by sharing free resources that make healthy habits easy for kids to remember. 

Stocking Healthy Classrooms

PTAs often take the lead in ordering essential supplies for classrooms. This fall, here are a few important items to put on your list. 

  1. Hand sanitizer and hand soap – Students should wash their hands several times per day to reduce the spread of germs. Hand soap is a must for classrooms with sinks, while hand sanitizer can get the job done in any setting. We recommend ordering both in bulk! 
  2. Lysol® Disinfecting Wipes and Lysol® Disinfectant Spray – Disinfecting wipes and sprays are essential for killing germs on high-touch classroom surfaces like desks, toys, doorknobs and light switches. Don’t forget the lunchroom! Cafeteria staff will appreciate your support stocking up too.
  3. Sandwich bags – A handy trick to keep small hands out of shared supplies: Sandwich bags! Educators can use them to prepack and distribute individual portions of snacks, manipulatives or craft supplies to kids. 

Check out our advice on how to simplify and save on school supply orders.  

Lysol is a Proud National Sponsor of National PTA. This article contains sponsored content from third parties. National PTA does not endorse any commercial entity, product or service. 

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How Parents Can Support Teachers for their Child’s Back-to-School Success

August 16, 2023 By Leave a Comment
Kids with family

As parents, you know how much of a team effort it is to raise a child–that includes partnership between educators in school and family at home. Back-to-school season is quickly approaching, which means it’s already time to start thinking about the year ahead. Here are some tips to help support your child’s education this year.

Encourage Teachers to Utilize Available Resources

There are many resources out there for teachers to utilize, like the “Clear the Wish List Giveaway” presented by WeAreTeachers and Lysol. This is an exciting opportunity for teachers to clear their Amazon wish lists (up to $200). To enter and for full terms & conditions, educators should visit WeAreTeachers and make sure they have at least one Lysol product included on their Amazon list and submit the link. There are 200 chances to win between now and September!

Support Homework and Learning

Create an environment conducive for homework and learning at home during the start of the school year. Establish a designated study area, set a consistent routine, and encourage your child to complete assignments on time. By emphasizing the value of education at home, you reinforce the teachers’ efforts in the classroom.

Stay Engaged in Your Child’s Education

Maintain active involvement in your child’s education by attending school events, PTA meetings, and workshops. Stay informed about curriculum updates, school policies, and upcoming projects. Your engagement demonstrates your commitment to your child’s learning and helps strengthen the overall educational experience.

Parents and teachers have the same goal–to see their children and students thrive. By working together, you can provide comprehensive support that extends beyond the confines of the classroom, empowering students to reach their full potential.

Filed Under: #PTABackToSchool, Health and Safety Tagged With:

Healthy Habits for Spring Break

April 24, 2023 By Leave a Comment

Use these tips to have a worry-free, healthy vacation.

Mom applying sunscreen to child

Spring break is just around the corner, and many families are getting ready to go on vacation. While this is an exciting time for kids and parents alike, it’s important to make sure that everyone continues to practice healthy habits while enjoying their time off. Here are some healthy spring break habits for parents taking their kids on vacation:

  • Disinfect High Touch Surfaces: Regardless of where your spring break takes you, help protect your loved ones and reduce the spread of illness-causing germs by disinfecting surfaces while traveling. Lysol Disinfecting Wipes To-Go Packs are great for all your travel needs – they’re designed to clean and disinfect surfaces on-the-go while killing 99.9% of viruses and bacteria. Throw them in your bag, use them on planes, or anywhere else you might want some extra cleanliness while you travel.
  • Stay Hydrated: Traveling can be exhausting and dehydrating, especially if you’re spending time in the sun. Encourage everyone to drink plenty of water throughout the day, and avoid sugary drinks that can lead to dehydration.1
  • Beat the Heat: If you’re vacationing somewhere warm or spending a lot of time outside, make sure your child is fully protected from the sun by applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a factor of SPF 30 or higher to all exposed areas of skin. Apply 15 to 30 minutes before heading outside and make sure to reapply every 2 hours or after swimming.2
  • Handwashing: Washing your hands is a simple and effective way to help prevent the spread of germs. Encourage your children to wash their hands frequently, especially after eating, playing outside, blowing their nose, and coughing or sneezing. As always, make sure your child is using soap and water and washing for at least 20 seconds.3

As everyone returns to school after break, remind your kids to carry these habits back into the classroom for the reminder of the school year. For more resources, visit Lysol.com/HERE.

1 CDC.gov “Heat Stress: Hydration.”

2AAD.org “How to Apply Sunscreen.”

3CDC.com “Handwashing: Clean Hands Saves Lives.”

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4 Seasonal Illness Resources for Parents

February 22, 2023 By Leave a Comment

We know every parent goes into protect mode when illness enters their home, especially during the cold winter months. Lysol and National PTA are here to help prevent illness-causing germs from spreading any further, so students can remain in school as much as possible. To help set both your family and broader school community up for success, here are some resources you can use at home and encourage at school:

CDC’s Health Education Curriculum Analysis Tool (HECAT)

Encourage schools to take a pulse on their health education curriculum is by using HECAT, an assessment tool developed by the CDC. The tool will both help decision makers align on the curriculum, as well as how best to implement it in a way that is feasible for all involved.

Lysol HERE for Healthy Schools

There is no better time to institute or refresh your school’s healthy habits curriculum than during peak illness periods. Lysol is proud to provide free healthy habits resources and lesson plans that can be utilized both at home and in school. Materials range from lesson plans on how germs are transmitted in the classroom to fun activities reminding students best practices for handwashing. Visit Lysol.com/HERE to download your resources today.

Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child

School health sectors, parents, and communities all have similar goals to improve childhood development. To help guide parents, teachers and students alike, utilize the CDC’s Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child (WSCC) model to address health in schools. The school environment, educational structure and engagement from families all play a key role in helping to curb the spread of illness-causing germs, especially throughout cold & flu season.

Use Lysol Disinfecting Products

Disinfecting commonly touched surfaces helps to reduce the spread of germs, including those that may cause cold and flu. Lysol Disinfecting Wipes and Lysol Disinfectant Spray kill 99.9% of illness-causing germs on many of the surfaces we touch. Visit Lysol.com to learn more about to how to properly use the products to maximize their impact in helping you protect your home and school communities from illness-causing germs.

Wishing you a happy and healthy remainder of the school year!

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3 Healthy Habits for the Holiday Season

December 14, 2022 By Leave a Comment

Practice healthy habits for the holiday season!

As the weather begins to chill in parts of the country, Lysol and National PTA are looking forward to the special moments to come this time of the year! However, it’s important to remember the holiday months are also the start of cold & flu season. While your school communities prepare to celebrate with friends and family, make sure practicing healthy habits in schools remains top of mind for your family and classroom as we near holiday and winter festivities.

Keep the following tips in mind to help make your holiday celebrations as safe as possible:

  • Get your flu vaccination: One of the best ways to help slow the spread of seasonal, illness-causing germs is to receive your immunizations, like the flu shot. The CDC recommends anyone above the age of six months receive a flu shot every year.[1]
  • Wash your hands: When traveling, visiting others’ homes, or preparing for a gathering at your own house, be sure to wash your hands thoroughly and often. Taking the recommended twenty seconds will go a long way in helping to prevent the spread of illness-causing germs throughout your winter adventures.[2]
  • Disinfect High-Touch Classroom Surfaces: Lysol Disinfecting Wipes make it easy to clean and disinfect surfaces at home and in classrooms. Disinfect frequently touched areas from desks to door handles as directed to help protect your school from the spread of germs. This year, refer your school leaders to apply for free Lysol Disinfecting Wipes by visiting Frontline Impact Project.

For more information and resources on healthy habits, please visit Lysol.com/HERE or sign up for updates here. Wishing you and your loved ones a happy and healthy holiday season!

[1] CDC.org, “Who Needs a Flu Vaccine”

[2] CDC.org, “12 Ways to Have a Healthy Holiday Season”

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4 Back to School Tips for Parents

September 21, 2022 By Leave a Comment

Practice healthy habits so we can be “stronger together” this back to school season!

Lysol and National PTA hope families everywhere enjoyed their summer vacation and the quality time that comes with it! This school year is the first time many students are back together at school following the COVID-19 pandemic. Children are stronger together in the classroom, so it’s important to follow the below healthy habits to help keep students at school, learning from teachers—and each other—this academic year:

  • Complete all health requirements: Schedule your annual checkups including medical, eye, and ear exams for your child, and ensure they are up to date with their immunizations. This will help ensure your child is ready for the school year.
  • Go to bed on time: We know bedtime can vary over the summer, but it’s important to get back on a regular sleep schedule to be energized and refreshed for the day. Students aged 6-12 should sleep 9-12 hours a night, while students aged 13-18 should aim for 8-10 hours a night. Sleeping the recommended length of time helps students stay focused and improves academic performance.1
  • Get the right supplies: Prepare your student for success by acquiring all school supplies early. Make a list to double check what you may already have at home and pick up everything your child needs to start the year. Each school year presents its own unique challenges, and the correct supplies can help your student be ready to tackle anything that comes their way.
  • Practice healthy habits: Lysol is proud to support healthy habits at home and in school through the Here for Healthy Schools initiative. Encourage teachers, administrators, and school leaders to utilize Lysol resources and downloadable activities on handwashing, germ transmission, and other valuable lessons available through the Healthy Habits Program. Practicing healthy habits can help curb the spread of illness-causing germs in classrooms and support a successful school year!

Healthy habits are important to instill in children so they can feel their best as they come together at school. This year, Lysol captured candid conversations from real students who shared who they really are and said what they really think on topics such as celebrating differences, what they missed about school, and more. Please visit Lysol.com/HERE to watch and learn more.

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6 Essential Back-to-School Supplies

September 1, 2022 By Leave a Comment

Your average school supply list contains the usual suspects: No. 2 pencils, glue sticks, plus folders in every color of the rainbow. But these are just a few of the tools that fuel success in the classroom. Teachers and students need other items you might not immediately think of—and that might be missing from your classroom supply lists. 

PTAs can help source school supplies in a number of ways. Whether you DIY or delegate to a third-party vendor, PTA leaders can work to ensure each classroom list is complete. Here are six items worth considering (and why!).

1. Hand sanitizer and hand soap – As we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic, healthy habits are a must. Students are encouraged to wash their hands several times throughout the day, especially before mealtimes. Hand soap is most useful for classrooms with their own sinks, while hand sanitizer can get the job done when soap and water aren’t readily available. Either way, students go through these items quickly—which is why it’s important to make sure they never run out.

2.  Lysol® Disinfecting Wipes and Lysol® Disinfectant Spray – Disinfecting wipes and sprays from Lysol are essential to help prevent the spread of illness-causing germs and tackle unexpected messes in the classroom. For peace of mind, many teachers disinfect high-touch classroom surfaces like desktops, doorknobs and light switches daily. Include these products on every class’s back-to-school supply list, and you’ll ensure a steady supply through cold-and-flu season and beyond.

3. Sandwich bags – Sandwich bags (ideally with zip-top closure) are super-handy for distributing individual portions of snacks, manipulatives or craft supplies. If students need to pause mid-way through an activity, they are perfect for storing loose pieces until the following day. Sandwich baggies are also useful for securing items that become broken or lost, such as a piece of jewelry or even a baby tooth that comes out during the school day! The list goes on, which is why every classroom should have a stock of sandwich bags (and reuse them as much as possible).

4. Pencil pouches – It’s all too easy for backpacks, desks and lockers to become littered with small school items. Students need an easy way to corral their writing implements, pencil sharpeners and such. Teachers tend to prefer pencil pouches to pencil boxes because they are more durable and less bulky—plus, they often sport loops to fit into three-ring binders.  

5. Earbuds – Technology has an ever-growing presence in the classroom, with many students using school-issued tablets or laptops. Earbuds are a great alternative to traditional headphones because they take up less room. When each student has their own pair of earbuds, they can easily make the switch to independent learning with their devices. Even if your school provides a pair of earbuds, it doesn’t hurt to buy extra, in case they become misplaced.

6. Academic planner – It’s never too early to help kids learn organization and time-management—and for young digital natives, a paper planner or personal organizer can be just the tool they need. Consider putting academic planners on the list for older students who can write proficiently, generally late elementary school and beyond. With an academic planner they can track homework assignments, upcoming tests and other important information (and relish the joy of crossing off those to-dos!). The ideal planner offers weekly and monthly views of their schedule, with the ability to customize school subjects. But many students enjoy the opportunity to pick the academic planner that works best for them.

A thoughtful school supply list captures everything teachers and students need to thrive in the classroom. Take a look at yours and see what items may need to be added—to ensure a fun, productive and healthy year for your entire school community.

Lysol is a Proud National Sponsor of National PTA. This article contains sponsored content from third parties.National PTA does not endorse any commercial entity, product or service.

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4 Ways Your PTA Can Simplify School Supplies

August 31, 2022 By Leave a Comment

From crayons to calculators, students rely on a steady stream of school supplies to make it through the academic year. But securing these items can be a challenge for teachers and parents, especially when supply lists are long and they differ from grade to grade, even from classroom to classroom.

That’s where PTA leaders can step in to support teachers, facilitate student learning and make life easier for families. And no matter how your PTA chooses to get involved, this is also an opportunity to check that your classroom lists include all the essentials, including commonly overlooked items like Lysol® Disinfecting Wipes and Lysol® Disinfectant Spray. If your PTA is looking to help with school supplies, here are four models to consider.

1. Buy in Bulk

How It Works: With teacher supply lists in hand, your PTA can take on the lion’s share of the work by purchasing the necessary items in bulk, either in person or online. Once the supplies arrive, PTA members sort, assemble and distribute the school supply kits to every classroom.

How It’s Funded: In late spring or early summer, the PTA asks for contributions from each family (typically $20 to $45 per student, which is less than they would pay to buy the school supplies themselves). Parents can even make a tax-deductible donation to help cover supplies for those who are unable to pay. Any leftover money can be applied to the PTA general fund, and surplus supplies can be stored for the next school year.

Why PTAs Like It: Not only does this approach reduce much of the burden for teachers and parents, it also opens up short-term PTA volunteer opportunities for people who like to bargain-hunt or who only have a few hours to spare. Another bonus: Every student gets the same brand of markers, folders and so on—thereby leveling the playing field.

2. Work with a Wholesaler

How It Works: A growing number of companies will partner with schools to provide turnkey school supply kits, customized by grade. The PTA takes on the role of hiring and managing the third-party vendor, seeking teacher input and promoting the service to families. The completed kits are shipped to student homes—or, better yet, directly to the school so teachers can set everything up before the first day of class.

How It’s Funded: Parents order their supply kits online from the company (or opt out, if they prefer). Often, your PTA can receive a portion of the proceeds from each box sold.

Why PTAs Like It: “Parents love the ease of school supply shopping in just a few clicks. Long gone are the days of hitting up multiple stores to find specific items,” says Jennifer Finnegan, who manages the school supply program on behalf of Haycock Elementary PTA in Falls Church, Va. “The Haycock PTA is happy to provide this convenience, and it’s an easy win for the entire school community. ”

3. Funnel Funds to Teachers

How It Works: Classroom teachers know what they need to support their lessons plans, and they often have brand preferences, too. That’s why some PTAs choose to hold an annual classroom supply fundraising campaign. Then, teachers get to do all the shopping.

How It’s Funded: Families pay into a fund dedicated to school supplies. Some PTAs suggest a per-student contribution, while others follow a pay-what-you-can model. Either way, your PTA may choose to subsidize the fund as needed. The money then gets divided among classroom and specialty teachers, who purchase exactly what’s needed for their students for the entire year.

Why PTAs Like It: This approach gives teachers ultimate control over their classroom supplies, while again saving families time and ensuring equity among students. Meanwhile, kids still get to pick out their highly personal items like backpacks, lunch boxes and water bottles.

4. Close the Gaps

How It Works: Whether or not you pursue one of the options above, your PTA can further help teachers by setting up a grant program to reimburse them for any out-of-pocket expenses, up to a maximum amount (typically $100 to $250) per school year.

How It’s Funded: Your PTA may include this reimbursement program as a line item in your annual budget. Be sure to stipulate which kinds of purchases are eligible (defer to your PTA bylaws and guidelines) as well as the process for submitting receipts.

Why PTAs Like It: There is no question that too many teachers spend too much of their own money on snacks, crafts and other classroom supplies. PTAs can help teachers pay for qualified educational expenses when school budgets and supply lists don’t quite cover it.

Sourcing school supplies is just one more way your PTA can support teachers, parents and students—and help your entire community get off to a strong start each fall.

Here’s to another fantastic school year!

Lysol is a Proud National Sponsor of National PTA. This article contains sponsored content from third parties.National PTA does not endorse any commercial entity, product or service.

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Encourage Healthy Habits at School with Welcome Back Packs

March 16, 2022 By Leave a Comment

Tips and resources to help curb the spread of illness in the classroom

As in-person learning continues in schools across the country, Lysol and National PTA want to remind students of healthy habits in the classroom that can help curb the spread of illness, including COVID-19.

Lysol developed Welcome Back Packs in partnership with the CDC Foundation to provide schools and educators with resources to help reinforce CDC guidelines. Welcome Back Packs include materials such as:

  • Lesson plans co-created with educators to help students learn healthy habits such as handwashing, social distancing, wearing a mask, proper coughing and sneezing etiquette, and helping to prevent germ spread in classrooms
  • Stickers and decals to take the guesswork out of social distancing, including:
    • “Here” stickers to place around the classroom to indicate where to stand
    • Germ hotspot stickers to call out where germs are usually found
  • Educational posters to place around schools where healthy habit reminders are needed 

Lysol is excited to offer free Welcome Back Packs to National PTA members. To sign up for Welcome Back Packs with healthy habit resources to use around your child’s classroom and schools, please visit Lysol.com/WBP.

For more information on healthy habit resources, please visit Lysol.com/HERE. Lysol is a Proud National Sponsor of National PTA. National PTA does not endorse any commercial entity, product or service.

Filed Under: Every Child in Focus, General, Health and Safety
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