| The survey found that 90 percent of teachers think it | | | | classmates during school," Hootman said. |
| is "common for students to come to school sick." Only | | | | Doctors offer the following tips for parents: |
| about 30 percent said their schools' custodial staff | | | | * Make sure that your kids wash their hands. This is |
| disinfects the classrooms regularly. | | | | the single most effective method for disease |
| "Germs are frequently spread through surface contact | | | | prevention. Hands should be scrubbed for 10 to 15 |
| yet many teachers do not have the time or the tools | | | | seconds. |
| to combat these germs," said Dr. Paul S. Horowitz, | | | | * Don't allow your children to share utensils. Although |
| medical director of the Legacy Emanuel Children's | | | | learning to share is important, this shouldn't apply to |
| Hospital pediatric and adolescent clinics in Portland, Ore. | | | | cups, glasses or eating utensils. |
| "This discrepancy can directly impact the health and | | | | * Make sure your children get enough sleep. Sleep |
| wellness of both students and teachers." | | | | deprivation stresses the immune system. Most children |
| More than 70 percent of teachers said they have | | | | need at least eight hours of sleep per night. |
| missed school because of an illness they believe they | | | | * Allow for a full recovery. Do not send your kids to |
| caught from one of their students. The survey was | | | | school when they are sick. |
| conducted by the children's publisher Scholastic and | | | | * Keep your children up-to-date on vaccines. New |
| released during an American Medical Association and | | | | vaccines guard against an array of dangerous |
| National PTA media briefing on children's health. | | | | illnesses, including meningitis. |
| Encouraging children to live a healthy lifestyle outside | | | | "We've come so far in protecting public health as a |
| the classroom is important in illness prevention, said | | | | result of widespread immunizations," said Dr. Walter A. |
| Janis Hootman, a registered nurse and immediate past | | | | Orenstein, associate director of the Emory Vaccine |
| president of the National Association of School Nurses. | | | | Center in Atlanta, Ga. "We protect each other by |
| "Children's health habits away from school have a | | | | vaccinating our children. |
| direct impact on what happens to them and their | | | | |