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Course

Biology/Living Environment

Website(s)

Univera HealthCare
Purell for Teachers: The ABCs of Keeping Your Kids in Good Health

Learning Context/ Introduction

Green & Clean is an illness prevention initiative for students in Grades K-5. Developed by Univera HealthCare, the program teaches students about the importance of proper hand washing. The initiative combines school-based presentations with online resources for teachers and students that focus on reducing the spread of germs and illness in elementary schools.

"Green & Clean will not only will help children and their families avoid catching colds and the flu, but also it will help school districts reduce costly absenteeism among students and staff," said Art Wingerter, Univera Healthcare president.  Nearly 144 million school days are lost due to illness, according to the Center for Vital Statistics.

Program Goals

• Teaches children proper hand washing techniques in order to prevent the spread of germs and illness
• Provides schools with tools to reduce the spread of germs and reduce absenteeism using a protocol developed by
  Green & Clean initially will be offered to 50 elementary schools throughout Western New York. Additional schools may be added in the future.
  

  Takeaway Tools

  • Green & Clean "remember to wash" wristband
  • Green & Clean code, a fun poem that serves a purpose. The children are instructed to recite the code twice while washing their hands-recommended time needed for proper hand washing (20 seconds)
  • Parent information card with a colorful "window cling" for their bathroom mirrors so everyone at home remembers the importance of washing their hands
  Schools participating in Green & Clean are eligible to receive Purell® dispensers and an initial supply of foaming hand soap and hand sanitizer to place in restrooms and high traffic, supervised areas. Purell® hand sanitizer pumps will also be available to classrooms that do not have sinks, or bathrooms.

  Program Outcomes

  • The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that proper hand washing is one of the most important ways to stop the spread of infection and illness. The CDC has detailed information on hand washing techniques on its Web site at http://www.cdc.gov/Features/HandWashing/.
  • Nearly 144 million school days are lost due to illness, according to the Center for Vital Statistics. Several studies commissioned by GOJO have concluded that schools following its protocol of using foaming soap and hand sanitizer, combined with an education program on proper hand washing techniques, are able to reduce absenteeism between 10 and 50 percent. Available at http://www.gojo.com/United-States/Market/K-12/Resources/Educational-Materials/Studies.aspx.
  • Review of annual absentee data for the two years prior to Green & Clean, the year of and the two years after. Data from GOJO led studies has shown this approach can reduce absenteeism in schools 10-50%.

  Related Resource

  Green & Clean includes follow-up lesson plans for teachers, posters and other online resources. For more information visit https://www.univerahealthcare.com/wps/portal/uv/our/news/caringcommunity.
  
      Lesson Plans:
  

  • Hands Up! CLEAN GENE lends a hand in fighting germs
  • "Finger Germs" Puppet Template
  • CLEAN GENE's Terrible Case of GermBug #1
  • CLEAN GENE's Terrible Case of GermBug #2
  
      Posters:
  
  • Teach germs a lesson. Clean your hands
  • Outsmart germs. Clean your hands
  • Pledge to keep hands green and clean
  
      Links:
  
  • GOJO (makers of Purell®)
  • Clean Gene Video Game from GOJO
  • Center for Disease Control
  • Review of annual absentee data for the two years prior to Green & Clean, the year of and the two years after. Data from GOJO led studies has shown this approach can reduce absenteeism in schools 10-50%.

  Contact Univera

  
  For more information contact:
  
  Olivia Belter, Community Affairs Director
  Olivia.Belter@univerahealthcare.com

Related Academic Standards

New York State

HPF.HE.E.1.1.B Students possess basic knowledge and skills which support positive health choices and behaviors.

HPF.HE.E.1.1.D Students recognize influence which affect health choices and behaviors.

HPF.HE.E.1.1.E Students know about some diseases and disorders and how they are prevented and treated.

HPF.HE.E.1.1.F Students practice and support others in making healthy choices.

HPF.HE.I.1.1.D Students analyze the multiple influences which affect health decisions and behaviors.

HPF.FC.I.1.1.D Students apply the decision making process to dilemmas related to personal health.

MST4.E.LE.5.3 Students describe the factors that help promote good health and growth in humans.