Grayson County, VA – Students in Grayson County will see significant, healthy changes in the new year. Grayson 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 1,576 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, Grayson 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. Grayson County Public Schools’ revised wellness policy now aligns more with Rev Your Bev’s best practices. The new policy language expands on the existing policy by recognizing water as an essential nutrient, expanding provisions for access to water to include before, during, and after the school day and in high-traffic areas, and encouraging teachers, staff, and admin to role model healthy drinking behaviors.
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 Grayson 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. Grayson County Public Schools joins the growing list of divisions with comprehensive wellness policies prioritizing water access and promotion, becoming Rev Your Bev’s 25th partner. “Grayson County Schools is excited to partner with Rev Your Bev to encourage students and staff to increase their daily water intake. Our school division understands that water is a vital nutrient, and we are committed to providing free, safe drinking water at all of our schools. Many people struggle to drink enough water, and we believe that promoting these healthy habits now will have lasting benefits for our students throughout their lives. We are thrilled to collaborate with Rev Your Bev and look forward to the positive impact this partnership will bring.”, says Stephanie Munsey, Coordinator of Food Services.
Grayson 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.
