RAPID RIVER — The Rapid River Health Committee has been involved in the UP Health Project at Rapid River Schools. This year with the “Hydration is the Key to a Healthy Me” grant, two water refill stations were purchased. One fountain will be on the elementary side of the building and the other fountain will be placed on the high school side near our school cafeteria.

The new refill stations should be up and running for the new school year. With these fountains, students and staff can refill their water bottles. This will reduce the purchase of pop and also reduce plastic waste.

Students will see how many plastic containers they are saving from entering our local landfill each time they fill up a container. The Health Committee also intends to put on water health lessons next year to promote the use of the refill stations and the importance of water intake in the lives of students.

By refilling water bottles rather than throwing them away, this grant also promotes reusing and recyling.

Another activity the Health Committee has been working on is the “Healthy Play Developing Academic Success” grant. Playground equipment was purchased for physical education classes and the elementary playground. The equipment included storage bins and carts.

Beginning with the 2019-20 school year, Rapid River Schools intend to incorporate the Playworks program into their P.E. clasrooms and playgrounds.

The Playworks program nurtures the idea of inclusion and bully reduction. Students learn about positive play and cooperation. The reduction of playground issues helps create students who are ready to learn as they enter their classrooms after recess. Three teachers plan to be trained in the program this summer.This grant will be an ongoing multi-year project as the program is incorporated.

Funds were also used to purchase cell phone holders for every room in the middle/high school. These holders keep cell phones out of students hands during class time so students can have uninterrupted learning. The phones are in sight, but use is now limited to in between classes and occasional use when doing research or photo/video activities.

A message about screen reduction was also sent out at the end of the 2018-19 school year. Elementary students created posters displaying what they learned regarding screen reduction. This informational art will be turned into placemats to be used at Jack’s Restaurant.