Madison, WI (September 29, 2022) - Recently, the Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) Board of Education voted to support equitable access to water throughout the district. Following months of work and significant community engagement, the board voted to include language in the District Wellness Policy allowing students to carry water bottles in the classroom and ensuring water filling stations will be included in all newly built and majorly renovated schools.
For months, community members voiced support for equitable water access in schools. MMSD students, parents, family members, staff and community partners advocated for specific policy language to make water more available and accessible for all students in every school. Many of those engaging were first-time advocates at the school board level.
“My experiences working to promote water access and the wellness policy have been invaluable,” said Sophia Jiang, a junior at Vel Phillips Memorial High School. “From educating my peers and the Madison community about the issue, to mobilizing support, I learned not only how to speak up for myself, but also for my community. I look forward to working on other future advocacy projects.”
“We are excited that the school board members listened to family members who are not typically included in these conversations. Water access is important to the families we work with and we see this as a first step to partner with the school board on other health and wellness initiatives, “said Baltazar De Anda Santa, Executive Director of the Latino Academy of Workforce Development.
Community members and coalition partners participated in District Wellness Advisory Committee meetings, met with school board members and district staff, and testified at two separate committee meetings and before the full Board where Spanish interpretation was provided. In addition, over 300 MMSD high school students participated in District Wellness Policy listening sessions and overwhelmingly supported better water access, and MMSD elementary school students wrote to the school board and recorded video testimonials. Additionally, over 100 Madison residents signed a petition or sent letters in support.
“Community engagement on this issue was amazing,” said Shawn Koval, Healthy Schools Coordinator at Healthy Kids Collaborative. “I want to thank School Board members for listening to community voice and prioritizing equitable access to water.”
“Water plays an important role in maintaining overall health – especially for children,” said Dr. Carter Ralphe, Chief of Pediatric Cardiology at American Family Children’s Hospital and Chair of the American Heart Associations’ WI Advocacy Committee. “We are thankful to see the wellness policy includes language around water access, and we know it will impact students’ wellbeing today, tomorrow, and years in the future.”
MMSD upgraded water fountains in all school buildings this past year by replacing these fixtures with water bottle filling stations through the one-time ESSER (Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief) funds. Specific language added to the District Wellness Policy that guides where water bottle filling stations are installed and placed in school buildings codifies this practice for future students, staff and community members.
Coalition members supporting equitable water access include: American Heart Association, Dean Health Plan, Delta Dental Foundation, Healthy Kids Collaborative at UW Health Kids, Latino Academy of Workforce Development, Madison Water Utility, Madison Public Schools Foundation, REAP Food Group, SSM Health, UW Department of Pediatrics, UW Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, UW Health Kids, Urban League of Greater Madison, WI Association of Local Health Departments and Boards, WI Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, and WI Public Health Association.
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About the American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. We are dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities. Through collaboration with numerous organizations, and powered by millions of volunteers, we fund innovative research, advocate for the public’s health and share lifesaving resources. The Dallas-based organization has been a leading source of health information for nearly a century. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, Twitter or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.
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