Students in Ms. Grant and Ms. Brereton’s 10^th grade literature class completed an action research project on the number of people who used the restrooms without washing their hands. Their findings and results were astounding and troubling.

One class observed that over the course of one week, students said they caught 132 people leaving the restrooms without washing their hands while the other class found 145 people who did the same. All together, this totaled nearly 300 peers and staff members who were discreetly caught not using proper sanitation techniques needed before going on with their day.

“In our research, 87 boys and 45 girls did not wash their hands,” said Kevin Le, a student from second block.

Another student, Diesy Martinez, said, “One hundred and ten males didn’t wash their hands, and thirty-three females didn’t wash their hands.”

Is this a trend, perhaps, that we must acknowledge? How does this bode with a potential flu epidemic?

Some of the restroom stalls were even lacking toilet paper and soap dispensers were empty. Toilets were not being flushed and several hands dryers were broken. 

These hazards raise speculation about students and teachers' health and sanitary practices. The cafeteria’s restrooms were amongst the ones that were absent of soap.

“When we eat, we do not want to consume the germs we have on our hands. Think about it. We are at lunch to eat food and help ourselves, not to contaminate our bodies,” said Danielle Fritz. 

Some of the suggestions that the students came up with were automatic flush systems, running hot water, open drains, exhaust fans, and for the restrooms to be monitored on a weekly basis to check on any soap and toilet paper shortages.

And some words of advice ... Clean those hands!