Students honored with national award for hand hygiene

Household & Personal Products Industry, Oct, 2005

STUDENTS FROM RALSTON MIDDLE School in Belmont, California, 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 health students created W.A.S.H., the Water and Soap Help program, which they are sharing with other classrooms and at assemblies. With a professional TV studio, the class created an infomercial on proper hand-washing techniques and the benefits of good hygiene. The students are also distributing silicone awareness bands branded with a proper hand-washing message.

As the Top Classroom Award recipient, Ralston students from the health class received an all-expense paid trip to Washington, DC, 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, DC, featured acknowledgments by CDC, SDA and the Director of the DC Department of Health, Dr. Gregg Pane.

The 2006 SNAP program is now underway. More info: www.itsasnap.org.