Water is Cool in School
Having a adequate supply of water for students is recommended by most authorities in the UK, The Guidance for Caterers for School Lunch Standards (Department for Education and Skills, 2001) expects that "drinking water should be available to all pupils every day free of charge". Studies of young adults, have shown that once thirst is felt, mental performance including memory, attention and concentration can decrease by about 10 per cent. Thirst is usually felt when dehydration reaches 0.8-2 per cent loss of body weight due to water loss. For a 10-year-old child weighing 30kg this is the equivalent to two cans of drink (300ml each).
Previously establishments would have had water fountains, but are not recommended hygiene grounds it is recommended these are replaced with either water coolers or plumbed in water dispensers to make consumption of water more appealing to the student, these types of device require a receptacle to dispense water into.
Most educational institutions from primary schools, secondary schools, private schools , colleges and universities would make water points available to students, placing water dispensers in critical points, like corridors servicing class rooms, and libraries on university campuses.
The extent to which dehydration may impair learning ability is still unknown, but there are a number of initiatives in the UK to encourage water intake in school-age children in order to promote good health and support learning.
The Food in Schools Programme identifies as one of the eight areas - water provision, improving accessibility to and consumption of water
For more information on the effect of Dehydration and mental performance see http://www.water.org.uk/home/water-for-health/medical-facts/concentration
http://www.goem.gov.uk/goem/public-health/improve/diet/school/
To enable easy access to water, a disposable hygienic receptacle would be represented by the three options below, all would negate the need to carry bottles around with a student, and saves the risk of having to wash up reusable cups.
Paper Water Cones
- Environmentally friendly, over 95% from renewable resources
- Biodegradable
- Standard rim diameter – fits most water dispenser cup tubes
- Small size (4oz) reduces usage on bottled water
- Cannot be stood down – reducing litter
- Small box – reduces storage
- Economical
- Enable students to have a quick intake of water before class
http://www.disposablesuppliesdirect.co.uk/products/3oz_Water_Cone-92-5.html
Plastic Water Cups
- Standard rim diameter – fits most water dispenser cup tubes
- 7oz 200ml size – gives more satisfying portion
- Economical compared to paper water cups
- Suitable for hot and cold drinks ( within recommended serving temperatures)
- Available in white or translucent – translucent normally only used for cold drinks
- Recyclable – Save-a- cup will collect these cup for recycling
- Beca bins available for collecting cups
- Rolled rim – comfortable on lips
- 200ml capacity helps to towards 600ml students probably need
Green Paper Water Cups
- Environmentally friendly, over 95% from renewable resources
- Standard rim diameter – fits most water dispenser cup tubes
- 7oz / 200ml size – gives more satisfying portion
- Suitable for hot and cold drinks ( within recommended serving temperatures)
- Available in Spring Clear – clean fresh blue design, Tartan or plain white
- Bespoke printing available on 24,000 + cups
- Recyclable – Save-a- cup will collect these cup for recycling
- Beca bins available for collecting cups
- Rolled rim – comfortable on lips
- 200ml capacity helps towards 600ml students probably need
- Cased 1,000 – small case for easy storage