Y Street ❘ Promoting a Healthy Virginia

Dickenson, VA – Students in Dickenson County are seeing significant, healthy changes this fall. Dickenson County Public Schools has made important updates to its School Wellness Policy to ensure students have increased access to water throughout the school day. This change will undoubtedly have a positive impact on the health and well-being of students throughout the division and their overall academic success, with 1,883 students covered under the policy revision and having access to the support they need to stay hydrated during the day. By prioritizing the well-being of its students, Dickenson County Public Schools is setting a great example for other school divisions to follow.

This updated policy was developed in collaboration with Rev Your Bev, the Virginia Foundation for Healthy Youth’s (VFHY) healthy hydration campaign, and its statewide, award-winning high school program, Y Street.

Research has consistently proven that water is the healthiest beverage choice as it acts as fuel for your body. Since 2013, Rev Your Bev and Y Street have devoted and sustained efforts to spread healthy hydration messages to help individuals make drinking water a habit and improve Virginians’ overall health. Dickenson County Public Schools’ revised wellness policy now aligns more with Rev Your Bev’s best practices. In addition to making water available during and after school, the new policy language includes a provision for water to be made available before the school day, ensuring that students have access to water all day.

VFHY and Y Street are committed to supporting Virginia school divisions’ efforts to maintain a positive, healthy learning environment and serve as a resource for Virginia schools. “The Virginia Foundation for Healthy Youth is thrilled to have Dickenson County Public Schools join as a partner to support healthy hydration. Adequate water consumption is a great habit for youth to develop and a key component to creating positive health outcomes,” said Executive Director Marty Kilgore.

The impact of the updated policy is expected to increase students’ water consumption and promote positive, healthy hydration. Dickenson County Public Schools joins the growing list of divisions with comprehensive wellness policies that prioritize water access and promotion, becoming Rev Your Bev’s 19th partner. “Dickenson County Public Schools is excited to partner with Rev Your Bev to encourage students and staff to drink more water. As we all know, staying hydrated through water consumption is essential for maintaining good health and wellbeing. Our partnership will bring various resources to help encourage students and staff to drink water throughout the day as an important part of maintaining the overall health and wellness in our schools.” says Deborah Compton, Food Service Coordinator.

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