Newswise — Students from Ralston Middle School in Belmont, California, today received the Top Classroom Award from The Soap and Detergent Association (SDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Department of Health and Human Services, for their outstanding campaign in the "Healthy Schools, Healthy People " It's a SNAP" National Recognition Program.
The School Network for Absenteeism Prevention (SNAP " www.itsasnap.org) is a joint project of the SDA and CDC to encourage middle schools to help develop programs that make hand hygiene a priority for students, teachers, school health personnel, administrators, and parents.
"Healthy Schools, Healthy People " It's a SNAP is a public, private partnership that is a win-win for children's health," said Julie Louise Gerberding, M.D., MPH, Director, CDC.
Hand Hygiene Education " Critical With the Onset of Cold and Flu Season
"Students who participate in SNAP are spreading the gospel of good hygiene," said Nancy Bock, SDA's Vice President of Education. "They are taking ownership of their projects, putting to good use what they're being taught, and promoting critical public health practices."
The SNAP program launches at the beginning of the school year, just as cold and flu season approaches. CDC believes that cleaning one's hands is the single most important thing people can do to keep from getting sick and spreading illness.
The SNAP initiative brings this message into schools, where nearly 22 million school days are lost due to the common cold and where certain strains of E. coli, salmonella and other bacteria can live on surfaces like cafeteria tables and doorknobs for up to two hours. While basic hygiene is generally learned during early childhood, research points to the benefits of repeating hygiene lessons during the K-12 curricula.
California Students Receive Top Award
The Top Classroom Award was presented to Ralston Middle School eighth grade health students, who created W.A.S.H., the Water and Soap Help program, which they are sharing with other classrooms and at assemblies. The class teamed with a professional TV studio and created an infomercial on proper handwashing techniques and the benefits of good hygiene. Additionally, the students are distributing silicone awareness bands branded with a proper handwashing message.
"SNAP allowed my middle school students to address and teach good hand hygiene to the entire school district in a fun and educational way," said Christopher Saldivar, the students' health teacher. "It also promoted community service."
As the Top Classroom Award recipient, Ralston students from the health class received an all-expense paid trip to Washington, D.C., while the entire class was honored during a celebration at the school. The award reception, which was held at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., featured acknowledgments by CDC, SDA and the Director of the DC Department of Health, Dr. Gregg Pane.
Ohio, Oklahoma Students Receive Runners-Up Honors
Recognition as Runners Up was presented to Ohio and Oklahoma middle school students and teachers. Maplewood Local Schools in Cortland, Ohio, won for their program, OPERATION: HAND WASH. The students created skits to promote the importance of handwashing, as well as a song to help spread the word.
Students at Central Elementary School in Tahequah, Oklahoma, created "Don't Bug Me," also known as "Grossology 101," collecting incubated germs from different parts of the school and sharing the results at a school presentation. They involved parents and teachers in displaying hand hygiene posters, literature and sanitizers throughout the school.
Still Time for Schools to Take Part in SNAP
The 2006 SNAP program is now underway, and there still is time for schools to participate. Interested educators can learn more and download specific information by visiting the SNAP website, http://www.itsasnap.org.
About SDA The Soap and Detergent Association (www.cleaning101.com) is the Home of the U.S. Cleaning Products IndustrySM, representing manufacturers of household, industrial, and institutional cleaning products; their ingredients and finished packaging; and oleochemical producers. SDA members produce more than 90 percent of the cleaning products marketed in the U.S. The SDA is located at 1500 K Street, NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20005.
About CDCThe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Department of Health and Human Services, is recognized as the lead federal agency for protecting the health and safety of people at home and abroad, providing credible information to enhance health decisions, and promoting health through strong partnerships. CDC serves as the national focus for developing and applying disease prevention and control, environmental health, and health promotion and education activities designed to improve the health of the people of the United States. The CDC is headquartered in Atlanta, GA.
About the SNAP program The "Healthy Schools, Healthy People " It's a SNAP" program is a joint initiative of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Department of Health and Human Services, and The Soap and Detergent Association. The School Network for Absenteeism Prevention (SNAP) program seeks to improve hand hygiene habits among middle school personnel and students to help prevent the spread of infectious diseases and reduce related absenteeism. SNAP is a grassroots, education-based effort to improve health by making hand cleaning an integral part of the school day.
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