Six more Madison schools have been notified that they will receive new water bottle refilling stations this spring, thanks to the “Got Water?” project. Madison Water Utility’s partnership with the Madison Metropolitan School District and the Healthy Kids Collaborative based at American Family Children's Hospital helps children make healthy beverage choices by giving them easy access to water.

“We know that healthy students make better learners, and water consumption is essential to overall nutrition and health,” says Healthy Kids Collaborative program manager Julia Stanley.

Before the “Got Water?” program began in 2015, no Madison elementary or middle school had water bottle refilling stations. After this year, a total of 21 elementaries and four middle schools will be using hydration stations because of the program. This spring, stations will go to: Thoreau, Cesar Chavez, Lincoln, Marquette, Olson, and Sennett Middle.

“Our ‘Got Water?’ partnership has been amazing,” says Steve Youngbauer, MMSD Director of Food and Nutrition. “The access to healthy water, educational opportunities and school celebrations have been so impactful for thousands of our students.”

The initiative also provides new water bottles for every child and staff member at each school and a school-wide celebration where kids can learn about the importance of clean water and conservation.

“The hydration station has been a great addition to the school. It is well used and the kids love it, as do staff. My class uses it every day to refill bottles.” says Crestwood Elementary 3rd grade teacher Katrina Ladopoulos. Crestwood received a hydration station in 2018.

Muir Elementary school nurse Nancy Godfrey notes that having a water bottle filling station in the school has increased water consumption by both students and staff.

“This, in turn, has positive effects on our personal health and that of our planet by using our refillable water bottles,” she says.” The whole experience has been positive.”

But mostly, the initiative has offered an easy, fun way for kids to stay hydrated.

“Kids have been enjoying cool, refreshing water daily since we received our water bottle refilling station,” says Kathy Hellenbrand, physical education teacher at Kennedy Elementary.

By the end of this school year, more than 11,700 students and staff will be filling up water bottles at 25 “Got Water?” school hydration stations across Madison.

All “Got Water?” hydration station schools:

2015: Huegel, Leopold, Elvehjem
2016: Allis, Lindbergh, Lake View
2017: Orchard Ridge, Falk, Schenk, Gompers, Glendale, Wright Middle, Sherman Middle
2018: Kennedy, Muir, Crestwood, Lapham, Lowell, Cherokee Heights Middle.
2019: Thoreau, Cesar Chavez, Lincoln, Marquette, Olson, Sennett Middle