The Richmond County Board of Education is scheduled to meet at 7 tonight at the board offices on Heckle Street.
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The Richmond County Board of Education encourages good hygiene to prevent the spread of colds and viruses but doesn't offer pupils hot water in bathrooms.
That's the argument parent Valarie Parks will make tonight as she addresses the school board at its monthly meeting. The mother of two Sego Middle School pupils says hot water is the best way to kill germs. In addition, cold water is uncomfortable, she said.
"Just imagine when the weather is cold, and they have to wash their hands in freezing water," Ms. Parks said. "They are suffering."
School officials say they can only guess why hot water was not put in the restrooms when they were built. But they defend the use of cold water, saying it is sufficient.
Dr. Virginia Bradshaw, the assistant superintendent of instruction, is studying the issue for tonight's board meeting.
"Nothing that I have seen even mentions a temperature degree," she said. "When they talk about hand-washing, what they stress is that you vigorously rub your hands together, palm and top, for 10 to 15 seconds, and that it's the physical action that is going to dislodge and remove the germs."
A Richmond County Health Department employee - whom the school district uses to teach pupils about proper hand washing techniques - disagrees.
"What is cold water going to do for us? Nothing," said Sandra Wimberly, a health educator. "The heat from the warm water will help to kill the germs."
If there is nothing else available, cold water is better than nothing, she said. "But warm water is highly recommended and preferred."
The school board has said it is taking hygiene seriously after several cases of viral meningitis and the flu, which increased absentee rates.
WASH UP
Tips for washing hands correctly:
1. Thoroughly wet hands with warm water.
2. Apply liquid or bar soap. The soap does not have to be anti-bacterial. Work into a good lather.
3. Rub hands vigorously on all surfaces for 10 to 15 seconds. One tip: 15 seconds equals the time it takes to sing the Happy Birthday song.
4. Rinse well and dry.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and staff research
Reach Greg Rickabaugh at (706) 828-3851 or greg.rickabaugh@augustachronicle.com.
