Delta Dental of Wisconsin Foundation Donates 27 Water Bottle Filling Stations to Schools

The Cool Water Program promotes water consumption throughout the school day

STEVENS POINT, Wis.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Students and staff at select Wisconsin schools will have a welcome new addition to their facilities for the 2020-2021 school year. The Delta Dental of Wisconsin Foundation is proud to announce the Cool Water Program awarded a total of $100,000 for 27 schools from across the state to receive water bottle filling stations this year.

Traditionally, the Cool Water Program grant covered the installation cost of a new filling station at 20 schools, and provided toothbrushes and dishwasher-safe water bottles for all students and staff. This year, after the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction recommended schools discontinue the use of shared drinking fountains, the Foundation decided to forego water bottles and toothbrushes for all students and staff to help fund seven more schools as recipients of water bottle filling stations.

With more schools receiving the grant, each school will instead receive a small supply of water bottles for students in need. “While the importance of drinking water has not changed, the current landscape of schools during the COVID-19 pandemic has changed how students can access water during the school day,” said Megan Tenpas, community outreach specialist. “This grant allows more Wisconsin schools to have a touchless water bottle filling station installed, which is so important in stopping the spread of germs and keeping students hydrated.”

Drinking water, especially fluoridated water, helps reduce cavities and protects precious tooth enamel by washing away harmful bacteria. More than 50% of children and teens in the U.S. are not properly hydrated. Definite health benefits to staying hydrated include improved cognitive function, higher energy levels, and fewer headaches.¹ In addition, youth who drink water during the day are less likely to consume sugary beverages, and reducing sugar intake can decrease the occurrence of painful cavities and help reduce obesity.²

The selected schools include:

1. Notre Dame School of Milwaukee - Blessed Theresa Campus (Private)
2. Maple Tree Elementary, Milwaukee (Milwaukee Public Schools)
3. Riley School, Milwaukee (Milwaukee Public Schools)
4. St. Joan Antida High School, Milwaukee (Archdiocese of Milwaukee)
5. Hawthorne Elementary, Milwaukee (Milwaukee Public Schools)
6. Vernon Elementary, Kenosha (Kenosha Unified School District)
7. John Marshall Elementary, Wausau (Wausau School District)
8. Grove Elementary, Wisconsin Rapids (Wisconsin Rapids Public Schools)
9. Yeshiva Elementary, Milwaukee (Private)
10. Madison Elementary, Marshfield (Unified School District of Marshfield)
11. Lincoln Elementary, Whitewater (Whitewater Unified School District)
12. Lincoln Elementary, New London (School District of New London)
13. Northwoods Elementary, Eau Claire (Eau Claire School District)
14. Star Center Elementary, Lake Geneva (Lake Geneva Schools)
15. Tomahawk Elementary, Tomahawk (Tomahawk School District)
16. Whitehorse Middle School, Madison (Madison Metro School District)
17. Spring Hill Elementary, Wisconsin Dells (School District of Wisconsin Dells)
18. Iron River Elementary, Iron River (Maple School District)
19. Mellen School, Mellen (Mellen School District)
20. Marion Elementary, Marion (Marion School District)
21. St. Joseph Academy, Milwaukee (Private)
22. Lincoln Elementary, Wausau (Wausau School District)
23. Franklin Elementary, West Allis (West Allis – West Milwaukee School District)
24. Humke Elementary, Nekoosa (Nekoosa School District)
25. Good Shepherd Lutheran, Watertown (Watertown Unified School District)
26. Horace Mann Middle School, Wausau (Wausau School District)
27. Gordon L. Wilson, Baraboo (Baraboo School District)

Selection for the awardees was based on the schools having fluoridated water, a high percentage of students with free-and-reduced meals, and the sustainability and creativity of their implementation plans to encourage students to drink more water.

While many schools may look and operate differently this fall, students and staff at these schools will have access to water filling stations when they are in the building. For more information on the Cool Water Program or the Foundation, visit deltadentalwi.com/foundation.

¹ NHNES, 2009-2012; Kenney, Long, Cradock, & Gortmaker, 2015
² NHNES, 2011-2016; Rosinger, Bethancourt, & Francis, 2019

About Delta Dental of Wisconsin
For more than 50 years, Delta Dental has been working to maintain healthy communities and healthy teeth. We provide dental benefits and services to more Wisconsin companies, subscribers, and their family members than any other insurance carrier. Our mission is to improve oral health and wellness by extending access to care, advancing science, and supporting an effective oral-health workforce. Through Delta Dental of Wisconsin’s Foundation, we are committed to advancing solutions for Wisconsin’s oral health.