Insist on hand washing at home so they get into habit of wanting to clean their hands before they eat. Hand sanitizers, hand wipes are all good ideas.

Get small hand sanitizers that they can clip on their bags. Baby wipes also help to get their hands clean.

also unhappy because DD has recess before lunch and it seems like they do not even have them do sanitizer (although there is one right as you walk in the cafeteria). i've started packing one in her lunch box but may switch to the hand wipes - a good idea. I cannot fathom why the school does not at least insist on use of sanitizer post recess and pre eating.

Our school has recess before lunch so there would be no time for everyone to wash hands. They use hand sanitizer before they come into the cafeteria. I would also prefer soap and water, but I understand the logistics. Regardless, it does seem crazy not to do anything.

I subbed in first grade and we stopped at the bathroom on the way to the cafeteria. All of the kids went into the bathroom and were told to wash their hands even if they didn't use the bathroom. Just realize that teachers aren't supposed to go into the bathroom to check on the kids. I am sure some of the boys didn't wash their hands. I have a DS and I've sent him back into the bathroom to REALLY wash his hands. But our schedule allowed for this bathroom break. The bathrooms were on the way to the cafeteria. Some schools are so overcrowded that I can see how it might be a huge traffic jam to do this.

Just goes to show, ther is no one answer that will make all parents happy.

I was also not happy that the kids weren't taken to a sink between recess and lunch. I bought a big box of hand sani wipes from sams club, and pack one in my daughter's lunch every day. I think a towlette will wipe off more dirt. It seems like sanitizer just smears it around.
I also encourage my child to take every opportunity to use the restroom, even if she doesn't really have to go, mostly just to wash hands a few times throughout the day.

No wonder I see so many grown-ups leaving bathroom without washing their hands.. Public hygiene here is close to zero.

When son was in Kindergarten, the classroom had a sink. The teacher put a jumbo sized soap bottle with a pump there and all kids had to wash hands.

She also made the kids wipe their desks with paper towels and shaving foam every week and used lysol to disinfect door-knobs etc.

The parents provided the soap, tissues, hand sanitizer, shaving foam and lysol etc.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our elementary school uses hand sanitizer before lunch, and actually I wish they didn't. Because then the kids eat hand sanitizer for lunch.

Actually it evaporates in seconds. But I agree that washing would be preferable, although that may just be too time-consuming with 20+ kindergarteners.

The ethyl alcohol (or whatever) evaporates in seconds. The other stuff stays.

Anonymous wrote:Our elementary school uses hand sanitizer before lunch, and actually I wish they didn't. Because then the kids eat hand sanitizer for lunch.

Actually it evaporates in seconds. But I agree that washing would be preferable, although that may just be too time-consuming with 20+ kindergarteners.

Our elementary school uses hand sanitizer before lunch, and actually I wish they didn't. Because then the kids eat hand sanitizer for lunch.

My kindergartener says they use hand sanitizer. I suppose you can ask about this at back-to-school night, if you can wait a few weeks.

Our elementary school uses hand sanitizer before lunch.

Does your child's school have a policy for washing hands/ using hand sanitizer before lunch? My kindergartner said they don't do either before lunch, which is crazy to me. Seems that teaching hygiene should be a part of education too!

Is there anything I should/ can do without seeming like a crazy parent? I get that school=germs=stronger immunity, but come on, everyone should wash their hands before they eat!