Applications are open now for Delta Dental’s 2019 Rethink Your Drink program, which will replace water fountains with bottle filling station in qualifying schools. Now in its third year, the Delta Dental of Iowa-funded program has donated $430,000 to 115 schools throughout the state to encourage students to drink more water. “More than 50 percent of children and teens in the U.S. are not properly hydrated during the school day, which can impact learning and energy levels,” says Jeff Russell, president of the Delta Dental of Iowa Foundation. “When students drink water, they are more alert and better hydrated. Plus drinking fluoridated water helps protect their teeth from cavities and improves their overall health,” he adds. New to the program this year is the Rethink Your Drink educational kit. It includes lesson plans, age-appropriate activities and worksheets, drink displays and more, showcasing the benefits of drinking water. Last year, the Greene County Community School District was one of the 115 schools who have received a filling station since the program’s inception. In addition to having students drink more water, Rethink Your Drink also provides reusable water bottles and toothbrushes to the students and staff and helps cut back on plastic waste. Priority will be given to communities with optimally fluoridated water, schools with high rates of free and reduced lunch and schools that do not already have a filling station installed. Application materials can be found by following the link included with this story on our website and are due by Monday, April 1.
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Rethink Your Drink Application
