Food and Beverages - Hydration

Drinking Water at School

Learning potential increases through small, frequent drinks of water throughout the day. Your school can positively impact learning by letting students and staff keep water bottles at their desks.

Tips for Schools
Tips for Parents
Water Bottle Cleanliness and Safety

Tips for Schools

• Let students have water bottles on their desks.
• Encourage staff to drink water in class for consistent messaging to students.
• Make sure water fountains are user-friendly and functioning properly.
• Looking for a new fundraising idea? Try non-spill water bottles.
• Sell bottled water in vending machines, canteens, cafeterias and tuck shops.
• Teach students the benefits of water.
• Encourage kids to drink extra water before, during and after being active - and with meals and snacks.
• Invite students to enjoy cool water all day by freezing half a bottle of water at home overnight, and then filling it up with cold water before school starts in the morning.
• Remind students to mark their name on the bottle and not to share with others.

Tips for Parents

• Provide extra water in hot weather and before, during (every 15 -20 minutes) and after being physically active.
• Drink more water yourself. Remember, your kids are watching!
• Bring water in a cooler for family outings and sports events.
• Offer water as a thirst quencher between meals.
• Encourage children to drink some water when brushing their teeth.
• Add a splash of juice, a slice of fruit (lemon, lime or orange) or some ice.
• Keep water in an easy-to-use container in the refrigerator.

Water Bottle Cleanliness and Safety

Encourage students to bring water to school in re-useable bottles. Children who use disposable bottles need to be reminded that continued refilling of these bottles may not be safe.

If Students Use Re-usable Bottles:

• Encourage them to bring the water bottle home every day for washing.
• Tell them to wash their bottles in hot, soapy water to prevent the spread of bacteria.
• Tell them to air-dry the bottles upside down.