For the City Times

WISCONSIN RAPIDS –Through the Delta Dental of Wisconsin Foundation’s inaugural Cool Water Program, 20 schools throughout the state, including Wisconsin Rapids’ Howe Elementary, received a dual water bottle filling station and fountain, along with toothbrushes and water bottles for all students and staff.

Delta Dental of Wisconsin employees were onsite on Nov. 25 to deliver water bottles and toothbrushes to the students and staff at Howe Elementary.

Delta Dental of Wisconsin employees were onsite on Nov. 25 to deliver water bottles and toothbrushes to the students and staff at Howe Elementary. (submitted photo)

Selection for the awardees was based on the most creative and sustainable implementation plans to encourage children to drink more water. Awardees also needed to be in a district with a high free and reduced meal rate and have fluoridated water.

According to program organizers, drinking water, especially fluoridated water, helps reduce cavities and protects precious tooth enamel by washing away harmful bacteria. They say that more than 50 percent of children and teens in the United States are not properly hydrated, which causes other health issues.

Howe School students participated in a video infomercial regarding the care and use of the fountain, and created posters showing the importance of water consumption and suggestions for water intake.