Lynchburg, VA – Students in Lynchburg are seeing significant, healthy changes this year. Lynchburg City 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 7,814 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, Lynchburg City 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. Lynchburg City Schools’ revised wellness policy now aligns more with Rev Your Bev’s best practices. The revised policy highlights water as an essential nutrient and encourages teachers and staff to model positive hydration behaviors. It expands access to free, safe drinking water to include before and after the school day, ensures regular maintenance of water sources, and allows students to carry clear water bottles throughout the day. These updates reflect a stronger commitment to fostering healthy hydration habits and promoting student wellness.
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 Lynchburg City 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. Lynchburg City Schools joins the growing list of divisions with comprehensive wellness policies prioritizing water access and promotion, becoming Rev Your Bev’s 26th partner. “I want to commend Y Street and its inspiring young leaders, Shayla and Sarah, for their comprehensive presentation highlighting the benefits of water consumption for the youth of the Commonwealth. Lynchburg City Schools is proud to join the Y Street Rev Your Bev campaign as its newest partner, promoting hydration as a cornerstone of student wellness.” says Beth Morris, Director of School Nutrition.
Lynchburg City 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.
_________________________________________________________________________________________
