As flu and cold season approaches, our schools and community are working together to improve the safety, health, and well-being of our students. In an effort to improve the classroom and building environments we have been addressing food and air-borne allergies. In addition, we are, and have been using green cleaning products and safe disinfectants which protect our students and staff from exposure to toxic cleaning products, particularly those who may be compromised by asthma, cancer, or auto-immune deficiencies.
Keeping schools clean and environmentally healthy is a tough job. Schools are densely occupied, used for many hours each day, and have considerable foot traffic. We also have our students interacting with community members, their parents, and siblings, as well as, our staff members on a daily basis. Due to the fact we have very active families, who provide positive learning experiences for our students outside of the classroom, there is increased potential for exposure to regional illnesses.

Over the last two years we have been studying and revising our cleaning procedures. The Hudson City Schools has made the transition to cleaning for health in the following ways:

  • New in 2019 - Hand sanitizer is being added to each classroom!
  • We are purchasing cleaning products that are known to be effective and  environmentally safe.
  • We are using Microfiber cloths with water for cleaning.
  • We are using green disinfectant sprays and electrostatic mist to kill bacteria and many viruses that are air-borne and land/live on hard surfaces.
  • We have established new procedures for cleaning and disinfecting classrooms in routine and systematic ways.
  • We have supplied teachers with a surface disinfectant spray that is safe for them to use when students are in the classroom.
Cleaning with Microfiber Cloths
Cleaning high touch areas with microfiber cloths pulls dirt, dust, and germs up inside the cloth where they remain until washed away. Microfiber has millions of tiny “scoops” that leave surfaces much cleaner than ordinary cloth fiber. Cleaning desks daily with microfiber cloths is 99% effective in removing bacteria when used with just water for light cleaning.
Disinfecting High Touch Areas with Purell® Surface Disinfectant
This year we are d isinfecting high touch areas with Purell® Surface Disinfectant which destroys 99.999% of germs like bacteria and many viruses. Each classroom is supplied with Purell® Surface Disinfectant that can be safely used by staff (not students) to clean with as needed. This Purell disinfectant is safe for the environment, and combines powerful germ killers, and no-rinse protection. It is fast and effective, killing 36 organisms in 30 seconds, including Norovirus, strep, and the germs that cause Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease. It is safe to use on all surfaces, and also safe to use on toys.
Routinely using both microfiber cleaning and disinfecting when there is an outbreak of illnesses is both safe for the environment and effective. When an outbreak of an illness or an infectious disease occurs, custodians additionally clean surfaces touched often, such as door knobs, desktops, drinking fountains, and shared equipment. In those circumstances, both disinfectant cleaning, and VitalOxide, a product used in hospitals, is misted in the classroom. The mist is able to kill harmful bacteria on hard and soft surfaces.
Using "Green" Products
We are using good “green” products. Many cleaning products labeled “green” may not actually be asthma-safe or truly "green". To make sure we are using the right products, we are using only those certified as "Green". The products we are using for cleaning and disinfecting are as follows:

  • Clean by Peroxy 15, applied by staff and custodians, is a surfactant and hydrogen peroxide blend, all-purpose cleaner.
  • GS Neutral Disinfectant 103, applied by custodians, is a neutral pH, quaternary disinfectant cleaner formulated to kill a broad spectrum of microorganisms.
  • VitalOxide, applied by custodians using an electrostatic sprayer, is a 100% biodegradable surfactant disinfectant that kills harmful bacteria on both hard and soft surfaces as it cleans.
Routine and scheduled cleaning procedures in our buildings matter. With the use of “green” products, and routine and scheduled procedures, we are cleaning for health and safety. Our custodians manage the cleaning schedules after school using disinfectants in classrooms, lunch rooms, and high touch areas. Custodians provide extra cleaning in classrooms and buildings if an illness appears to be spreading. In classrooms each day, our teachers have access to a microfiber cloth, and, Purell® Surface Disinfectant.
We Believe There is Always Room to Learn
We believe there is always room to learn and improve. We are continuing to learn from the cleaning professionals from GOjO Industries, Inc. We currently use Purell® Brand Healthy Soap in our restrooms. This product is mild on skin, contains no antibacterial ingredients, and removes over 99% of dirt and germs. We also added Purell® Surface Disinfectant to our approved list of classroom cleaning products.
Cleaning for health is only one important aspect of providing our students and staff a healthy and safe environment. Since many illnesses are spread by sneezing and coughing, our students can help reduce the broadcast of germs by covering their mouth and frequently washing their hands. Please watch this video from GOjO Industries, Inc. to review proper handwashing techniques. In addition, we routinely consult with Summit County Public Health to better understand how to prevent and control the further spread of illnesses.

The health, safety, and wellness of those we serve is a large part of our primary mission, and we continuously strive to enhance programs that both promote and provide a healthy, safe, and nurturing environment in our schools.
When to Keep a Sick Child at Home
We love having our students in school; however, there are times for the health and safety of all students that the following Health Guidelines for School Attendance are here to help. Please do not send your child to school if any of the following symptoms or conditions were present in the last 24 hours: temperature above 100 degrees, vomiting or diarrhea during the previous evening or night, undiagnosed rash, bacterial infections not treated for at least 24 hours, pus or mucus draining from the eye and not treated by physician, severe headache, ear pain with fever, live lice, continuous cough, severe sore throat, or unusually tired, pale, difficult to awake, or lack of appetite.
The Hudson City School District uses an electronic flyer distribution tool called “Peachjar.” View school-approved
e-flyers for community events or school-related activities happening outside of the classroom.