Because knowledge is spreading on the importance of drinking
water, parents and media are starting to notice the lack there of in schools.
Students in most public schools are only offered a couple drink choices at
lunchtime, water not being one of them. The only option to get water for lunch
is to keep going to the drinking fountain, which is inconvenient for students
enjoying their break with friends at tables.
Steps are being taken to ensure that water is provided to
students because kids spend over half their days in schools and need to stay
hydrated. Congress passed the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 in
December to improve school nutrition in the National School Lunch Program. In this
law states that every school must have water providing in eating areas. This law
isn’t
Drinking fountains are not convenient
for most students are therefor not used during meal times. Some schools are
trying a new way of filtering their water and then sitting out cold jugs with
cups during meal times. Data has not been reported yet but this distribution
has said to be working so far and it is popular with the students.
Water is very essential for all
students to be drinking daily. Most should be drinking on average ten cups a
day. Because students spend over half their days in the schools, a lot of water
should be consumed during school hours. Water helps students learn better and
helps their physical and mental performance, therefore is very important to
help them succeed in the classroom. If water is more available in schools, teachers can help ensure that after teaching their students the importance of water, the students have somewhere to get it. If students don't have the option of drinking water, they can't demonstrate their decision-making skills by choosing water over high calorie sugar filled drinks.
If all schools gave the option of water
for lunch, the students would be able to practice choosing it at lunchtime and
hopefully carry it over to dinnertime at home.
