Pittsylvania County, VA – Students in Pittsylvania County will see significant, healthy changes in the upcoming school year. Pittsylvania 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, as 7,831 students will be covered under the policy revision and have access to the support they need to stay hydrated during the day. By prioritizing the well-being of its students, Pittsylvania 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 spreading healthy hydration messages, helping individuals make drinking water a habit, and improving Virginians’ overall health. Pittsylvania County Public Schools’ revised wellness policy now aligns more with Rev Your Bev’s best practices. The policy states, “Water is recognized as an essential nutrient. Free, safe drinking water will be available and accessible to students before, during, and after the school day. All water sources and containers will be regularly maintained to ensure good hygiene standards. Students will be allowed to bring and carry (approved) water bottles throughout the day. Teachers and staff are encouraged to role model healthy drinking behaviors.”

VFHY and Y Street are committed to supporting Virginia school divisions’ efforts to maintain a positive and healthy learning environment and serve as a resource for Virginia schools. “The Virginia Foundation for Healthy Youth is thrilled to have Pittsylvania 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. Pittsylvania County Public Schools has joined the growing list of divisions with comprehensive wellness policies that prioritize water access and promotion, becoming Rev Your Bev’s 29th partner. “We are pleased to partner with the Rev Your Bev initiative to promote hydration in all Pittsylvania County Public Schools. Through our partnership, we hope to inspire our students and staff to drink more water; the best choice beverage for hydration and good health.”, says Kara Scott, Supervisor of School Nutrition.

Pittsylvania 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.

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About the Virginia Foundation for Healthy Youth (VFHY)

Established in 1999 by the Virginia General Assembly, the Virginia Foundation for Healthy Youth empowers Virginia’s youth to make healthy choices by reducing and preventing youth tobacco and nicotine use, substance use, and childhood obesity. VFHY takes a comprehensive approach to prevention work that includes reaching about 50,000 children each year through classroom-based prevention programs in public schools, after-school programs, community centers, day cares and prevention programs across the state. VFHY’s award-winning marketing campaigns deliver prevention messaging to more than 500,000 children annually. In addition, VFHY’s research program provides scientific insight on methods to effectively reduce tobacco use. Since 2002, VFHY has funded 40 large research projects at universities throughout Virginia. For more information, visit www.vfhy.org.