OTTUMWA — Three Ottumwa schools were awarded water bottle filling stations by Delta Dental’s “Rethink Your Drink” program.
The overall investment was $230,000, with the chance to apply for an additional $500 to create educational campaigns to encourage students and staff to drink more water.
“One of the biggest benefits is the health and well-being of my staff,” said Dawn Sievertsen, Liberty Elementary principal.
“They said they are more willing to bring water bottles themselves instead of caffeine or sugary drinks.” Each school’s principal decided the fountain placement and location.
“We had 175 schools apply and all schools selected could choose to do the additional educational programming.
There were 40 schools that opted to do so.” Delta Dental of Iowa Foundation, based in Johnston, is a wellness company providing vision and dental benefits throughout Iowa.
They said over 50 percent of teens and children in the U.S. aren’t properly hydrated during school.
This impacts energy levels and cognitive function.
“The ‘Rethink Your Drink’ campaign helps educate students on the benefits of drinking fluoridated water and can help reduce healthcare costs for their families and communities.” The fountains, and their costly investment, are supported by the Iowa Department of Public Health Bureau of Nutrition and Health Promotion, Iowa public Health Association, Iowa Department of Education, and Balfrey & Johnston, Inc. Delta Dental said other Iowa schools interested can apply for a water bottle filling station through Delta Dental of Iowa Foundation’s “Rethink Your Drink” project in early May, 2018, to coincide with National Drinking Water Week.
Aaryn Frazier can be reached at afrazier@ottumwacourier.com or on Twitter at CourierAaryn.