Halifax, VA – Students in Halifax County are seeing significant, healthy changes this fall. Halifax 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 4,578 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, Halifax 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. Halifax County Public Schools’ revised wellness policy now aligns more with Rev Your Bev’s best practices. The updated wellness policy expands water access by allowing students to carry water bottles, ensuring water availability before, during, and after the school day, encouraging teachers and staff to model healthy drinking habits, and emphasizing regular maintenance of water sources such as fountains and refill stations.

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 Halifax 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. Halifax County Public Schools joins the growing list of divisions with comprehensive wellness policies that prioritize water access and promotion, becoming Rev Your Bev’s 20th partner. “We are thrilled to introduce ‘Rev Your Bev’ in Halifax County Public Schools this year! This initiative will significantly encourage our students to drink more water and foster their understanding of daily wellness. I believe it will have a positive impact on their health and learning.” says the Nutrition Director, Dr. Karen Bucklew.

Halifax County Public Schools will receive free resources such as water bottles from VFHY as part of its partnership with Rev Your Bev to support the division in implementing its updated policy.