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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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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5 Tips to Help Kids Eat More Fruits and Vegetables

March 31, 2023 By Leave a Comment
Child eating lunch
Kindergarten children eating lunch outdoors smiling to camera

As a nutritional epidemiologist at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, I know that healthy eating in childhood and adolescence is important for optimal growth and brain development. A healthy diet can reduce the risk of serious health conditions such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, and high blood pressure that can start in childhood. Fruits and vegetables are part of a healthy diet. The U.S. Dietary Guidelines recommend eating a variety of fruits and vegetables every day.

However, as a mother of two young children, I also know that it is not always easy to get children to eat fruits and vegetables. Many children are not eating enough. In fact, many children as young as 1–5 years of age are not eating fruits and vegetables every day, according to a new CDC analysis. Here are five tips to help you get more fruits and vegetables into your child’s diet:

  1. Choose fresh, frozen, or canned. Frozen and canned fruits and vegetables can be just as healthy as fresh options. Look for frozen vegetables without added sauces, or choose fruits canned in 100% fruit juice and vegetables with “low sodium” or “no salt added” on the label. Frozen and canned options are longer lasting, may save you money, and can be a quick way to add fruits and vegetables to your kids’ meals. For example, you can add frozen berries to plain yogurt or add canned vegetables to a soup.
  2. Keep the kids involved. Studies show that involving children in meal prep is a good way to develop healthy eating habits. Here are some ways to involve younger and older children in meal prep:
    • For younger kids–start simple with something like a yogurt parfait or a healthy snack. Kids can find and place items in the grocery cart. They can also help with measuring, placing items in a bowl or serving dish, or mixing.
    • For older children–they can look up and choose recipes, make shopping lists, and even help keep track of ingredients in the store or online. They can help with cutting, chopping, peeling, or cooking on the stove. Remember that some skills may require supervision. For a free, simple way to get started, check out these kid-friendly Look and Cook Recipes from USDA’s MyPlate.
  3. Plan and pack ahead. It’s no secret that parents are busy, and it feels like our kids are always on the go! One quick and easy way to help your children eat more fruits and vegetables is to have pre-cut fruits and vegetables available in easy grab-and-go containers. You can even designate an easy-to-reach kid’s shelf where they know to go for these healthy snacks.
  4. If at first you don’t succeed, try again. It’s normal for your child to refuse some foods at first, but repetition is the key.  Especially when it comes to vegetables. The more kids are exposed to familiar and unfamiliar options, the more likely they are to eat them. In fact, experts believe it can take more than 10 tries before kids get used to a new taste. Exposure can start with looking, touching, smelling, or reading about new fruits and vegetables.
  5. Bring healthy snacks to share at school parties and events. Children can consume up to half of their daily calories at school. This includes class birthdays, holiday parties, and special events. Snacks are also often provided at after-school and extracurricular activities. When it’s your turn to bring a snack, think about skipping the sweet treats. Instead, choose healthy, easy, and tasty options. Instead of sugar-sweetened beverages, try 100% fruit juice, low sodium vegetable juice, or water. Instead of sweets and baked goods, try yogurt parfaits with fresh fruit, raw vegetables such as carrot sticks with a low fat dip, fresh fruit served in cupcake wrappers, and fruit kabobs.

For more information and resources about healthy eating habits for children at every age, please visit the Life Stages page at www.myplate.gov.

Dr. Adi Noiman is a nutrition epidemiologist at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and a mother of two young children.

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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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Stay Healthy and Happy During the Holiday Season

December 20, 2019 By Leave a Comment

Cold and flu season is once again upon us, as is the time of year when family gatherings and holiday celebrations are plentiful. This holiday season, make sure that illness doesn’t keep you and your family from enjoying your celebrations to the fullest.

The National Parent Teacher Association and Lysol want to ensure children and families have a fun, safe and healthy holiday season by providing easy and effective tips to help curb the spread of cold and flu.

  1. Get vaccinated: Getting your flu shot every year is the first and most important step to help prevent the flu. The CDC recommends that everyone six months of age or older, especially those at high risk, get their flu vaccine every season.
  2. Cover your mouth and nose: Cover your mouth or nose with a tissue, or use your elbow, when you sneeze or cough to avoid passing germs to others through the air.
  3. Clean your hands often: Wash your hands often with soap and water to get rid of germs that may be picked up throughout the day.
  4. Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces: Clean and disinfect commonly touched surfaces at home, school and work, especially when someone is sick. Lysol Disinfecting Wipes kill up to 99.9% of germs, including those that cause cold and flu!
  5. Stay home when you’re sick: If you follow all of these habits and your children still get sick, make sure to keep them home from school (and stay home from work) to avoid passing illnesses to others!

Enter the Teach2Win Sweepstakes for the Chance to Win Lysol Disinfecting Wipes for Your School!

Tell your school administrators and teachers! To curb the spread of illness in classrooms during cold and flu season, Lysol is selecting 250 winning teachers to receive 50 canisters of Lysol Disinfecting Wipes for their school! To enter Teach2Win and for a chance to win, all teachers have to do is pledge to teach their students a Healthy Habits lesson in the classroom.

Visit Lysol.com/Healthy-Classroom to enter and for official rules. Entries must be submitted by Feb. 27, 2020, and winners will be selected March 1, 2020. No purchase is necessary to enter. Make the most out of this holiday season by practicing healthy habits!

Ferran Rousaud is the Marketing Director for Lysol. Lysol is a Proud National Sponsor of National PTA.

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Start the School Year Right With Healthy Habits

August 15, 2017 By 2 Comments

(Sponsored Post) Help Protect Your Children From Germs This Back-To-School Season

With school bells ringing and teachers diving into their lesson plans, help your children focus on what matters most during the school year – learning! As part of the Healthy Habits Program, Lysol alongside the National Parent Teacher Association hope to spread the word on healthy habits, starting with simple yet effective tips to help keep germs at bay and help prevent your children from getting sick, whether in the classroom or at home!

Set your children up for a successful and healthy school year with the following tips:

  • Kick-Off The Year and The Germs: Start the 2017 school year by stocking classrooms with disinfectant cleaning product. Using Lysol products, such as Lysol Disinfecting Wipes and Lysol Disinfectant Spray, kill bacteria and viruses on hard surfaces in your home and classroom. If you’re one of many parents who collect Box Tops for your children’s school, you’re in luck! Now all Lysol products are eligible for Box Tops for Education redemption, so you can continue to help earn cash for your school.
  • Get A Good Night Sleep: With homework, soccer practice and science projects filling up your children’s schedule, it’s important that they get an adequate amount of sleep each night. A good rule of thumb is 9 to 12 hours for children ages 6-12, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.[1]
  • Reinforce Healthy Habits: The third week of September marks Healthy Habits Week. Use this time as your reminder to start the school year off on a healthy note by teaching your children to use proper etiquette for sneezing and coughing to help keep sick days to a minimum! Make sure they’re frequently handwashing at home and at school too –use warm water and soap to create a nice lather – scrubbing for at least 20 seconds!

Visit Lysol.com for more information and tips to help keep your family healthy and always check with your school before bringing products to the classroom.

 

Rory Tait is the Marketing Director at Lysol. He drives the Lysol Healthy Habits campaign, a program focused on educating parents across the country on the importance of healthy habits and good hygiene practices.

Box Tops for Education and associated words and designs are trademarks of General Mills, used under license. ©General Mills

[1] CDC.gov. “Are you getting enough sleep?” (April 24, 2017)

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