The students at A.A. Wright Public School in Wallaceburg will be better hydrated, thanks to some staff initiative and community partners.
Christine Pelletier, educational assistant, at the school said the idea for a water bottle filling fountain was sparked at last years’ Christmas concert at Wallaceburg District Secondary School.
“We were watching a couple people walk up and fill their water bottles and we were like ‘why can’t we have one of those at our school?'” she said.
“So we did the legwork to find out how much it would cost and the process of going through it and I just handed it off to Mr. Hazzard and he took it up too, and they installed it this summer.”
Pelletier said a group of Grade 6 students have been selling A.A. Wright water bottles, which were signed by students as well.
“They sat with me and planned what colour we wanted, what logos that we wanted on it. They have pretty much done the work. I have just kind of been the go to person to order them. They are selling them at recess all on their own.”
Pelletier said the kids love it.
“It’s being very well used with students and staff,” she said. “Its teaches them environmentally friendly ways to do things and they are drinking a lot more water throughout the day which they probably wouldn’t do.”
Ben Hazzard, the school principal, said the total cost of the project was about $4,000.
The Wallaceburg Advisory Team for a Cleaner Habitat (WATCH) pitched in $1,400 to go towards the project.
“They don’t drink pop or juice, its nutritious,” said Kris Lee, a member of WATCH. “This is better for them. When they are young and they get use to this, this becomes a lifestyle because how many kids say ‘oh I’m thirsty, I’m going to get a pop’. Now they say ‘I’m thirsty, I’m going to get some water’, which is what they should be doing. So that’s the learning part.”
Lee added: “Economics, health, waste, lifestyle change, everything. It’s a win win.”
Hazzard said A.A. Wright is the first elementary schools locally to install one of these fountains.
“We really are piggy backing on the good work at WDSS with their EcoSchool ratings,” he said. “So we are really trying to follow that up and extend that down right through elementary.”
– Photo: From left, Grade 6 students Tina Banman, Talia Vancoillie, Shay-Lynn Durward, Christine Pelletier, educational assistant, and Jen Parrish, teacher and WATCH member.
