New Policy at GHS: The Water Bottle Debacle

Groesbeck parents and students are up in arms over the water bottle policy update released on the GHS Facebook page on Thursday, Aug. 8.
When the high school posted its policy update allowing only clear plastic water bottles under 32 ounces, they did not expect the immediate backlash they received. Parents and students alike immediately started calling the policy “Stupid” and “Crazy” stating that GISD has more important things to worry about than what the students are drinking their water out of. Many parents commented, concerned about athletes and band members who spend long periods out in the heat. “32 oz is not enough for band and tennis… not to mention both! How will they keep their water cold or even cool all day without metal containers?” parent Melanie Anderson commented. “It’s over 100 degrees outside and students have been passing out at band practices already even with water breaks and they want to limit their water intake even more?” another concerned band parent commented. Other parents were concerned that their children wouldn’t be able to use the water bottles they were required to purchase for band which do not meet the requirements on all three counts.
One teacher was quick to fire back with comments on how disruptive and noisy the metal water bottles were in the classroom. “If you have ever tried to teach a class with constant interruption of these cups falling over, clanging on the floor, making so much noise, or just trying to get your kids to put them up, you would understand.” Kolby Morgan, English teacher and cheerleading coach explained. She went on to say that students who needed bigger bottles for band/athletics could keep them in their backpacks and not get them out in the classroom. However, nowhere in the policy update did it state that was the case. It also seems impossible for students to fit a large water bottle in their bags when they have to carry around all of their materials for all of their classes since locker space is nonexistent. This would also add up to an additional 15 pounds on the backs of students and introduce condensation to any paperwork as well. The Groesbeck ISD Facebook page clarified later that students would be allowed to leave their band issued water bottles in the band hall but would not be able to access them while the directors were on other campuses.
One student commented on the post stating, “Best believe none of us are following that rule,” and that the school is “Not even focused on actual issues.” Some students are worried about the environmental impact. One student questioned, “Why are they forcing us to harm the Earth?” Most manufacturers do not recommend reusing plastic water bottles as they can harbor harmful bacteria and leach chemicals over time. With somewhere around 450 students at GHS each drinking just two bottles a day, that would be around 4,500 plastic bottles per week and 155,700 per school year. Another student expressed the wish that they had been informed about the policy sooner, before students and parents spent $50+ on new water bottles for the school year. Multiple students were also saddened that the water would not stay cold.
When asked about the policy change, Superintendent Anthony Figueroa explained that water policies are at the discretion of the campus administration and that there is no direct district policy on water bottles, leaving the decision at the campus level. He explained that they understand that student access to water is essential throughout the day, especially in Texas, and they want to ensure that all students have access to water in as many settings as possible. Obviously, access to water will be determined by the class itself. Many classrooms prohibit water due to safety and materials, including science classrooms and technology classrooms.
“GHS, after conversation with the other principals within the district, made a decision to implement a clear water bottle policy. The decision is rooted in GHS's commitment to student safety and well-being. By requiring clear water bottles, GHS can easily monitor what students are bringing into the school, reducing the risk of prohibited or harmful substances being hidden in opaque containers. Additionally, this policy supports GHS's efforts to maintain a secure and focused learning environment for all students. GHS believes this is a simple yet effective measure that will contribute to the overall safety and security of our high school,” Figueroa said.