Fifty-four schools in Ohio will soon receive new water fountains, thanks to $200,000 in funding from the Delta Dental Foundation. The program is designed to encourage children to drink more water during the school day.
“More than 50 percent of children and teens in the U.S. do not drink enough water during the school day,” says Teri Battaglieri, Delta Dental Foundation director. “This can impact behavior, energy levels and cognitive function. And when kids choose to quench their thirst with sugar-sweetened beverages such as soda pop, juice and sports drinks, it can have adverse effects on their oral and overall health.”
The school winners include: Abraxas School, Mansfield; Coventry Elementary School, Akron; Early College Academy at Souers, Canton; Elizabeth Price Elementary School, Cuyahoga Falls; Genoa Elementary School, Massillon; Hebrew Academy of Cleveland, Cleveland Hts.; Lordstown High School, Warren; Melrose Elementary School, Wooster; and Woodbury Elementary School, Shaker Heights.
The schools will have old drinking fountains replaced with Elkay water fountain/bottle filling stations by Michigan-based Balfrey & Johnston. The winners also will receive reusable water bottles for students and staff.
More than 100 schools applied for the grants, and winners were selected based on several criteria, including age and condition of their drinking fountains, creativity of their applications, percentage of students who qualify for free and reduced lunch, and geographic location.
