Water bell reminder for students to tank up, stay hydrated

Kolkata: Concerned over the health of students amid the rising mercury, multiple Kolkata schools introduced water bells from Tuesday. The bells ring at periodic intervals to remind students, teachers and staff to drink water.
Santoshpur Rishi Aurobindo Balika Vidyapith’s headmistress Sarbani Sen told TOI that they took a call to introduce water bells and convinced 10 other schools close to it, including Modern Land Girls School, Jadavpur Rishi Aurobindo Vidyapith, Santoshpur Sikshayatan, Garfa DNM Girls’ and Boys’ Schools, Chowbaga High School, to replicate the model.
The water bells in these schools ring twice a day — once after the third period and again after the sixth — reminding all to stay hydrated. “During this extreme heat, we need to drink plenty of water to be physically fit. Not only the children, even the staff get a reminder to have adequate water,” Sen said.
Indus Valley World School rings the water bell after every two periods, said school director Amita Prasad. “We felt the necessity of it seven months back and we are continuing with this system.”
Children Welfare Association and Jadavpur Vidyapith, too, have introduced water bells. Children Welfare Association’s headmistress Sarbari Sengupta said: “The bell is ringing at 12.30pm and again at 3.10pm, twice in a day for both of us. We are offering a glass of glucose every day.”
The authorities at Birla High School, DPS Newtown and Modern High School said class teachers were advising children to have adequate water while Future Foundation School has conducted orientation programmes for parents. Julien Day School, Kalyani principal Terence John said they had a ‘slip’ system for the children to fill the water bottle from time to time. “We asked teachers to advise children to have water from time to time and allow teachers to carry a water bottle while taking classes so that they don’t get exhausted. We are keeping sufficient water for children, parents as well as visitors,” he added.
DPS Newtown has installed glucose counters on each floor and asked children to carry two bottles — one for water and another for lime water, coconut water or ORS.
St Augustine Day School, Shyamnagar, has allotted a water break for the children during class hours and the school is also offering a class of glucose. “This is an awareness drive to remind all of us to stay hydrated. Moreover, we distributed water to the pedestrians on Tuesday,” said principal Rodney Borneo.
Kolkata: Concerned over the health of students amid the rising mercury, multiple Kolkata schools introduced water bells from Tuesday. The bells ring at periodic intervals to remind students, teachers and staff to drink water.
Santoshpur Rishi Aurobindo Balika Vidyapith’s headmistress Sarbani Sen told TOI that they took a call to introduce water bells and convinced 10 other schools close to it, including Modern Land Girls School, Jadavpur Rishi Aurobindo Vidyapith, Santoshpur Sikshayatan, Garfa DNM Girls’ and Boys’ Schools, Chowbaga High School, to replicate the model.
The water bells in these schools ring twice a day — once after the third period and again after the sixth — reminding all to stay hydrated. “During this extreme heat, we need to drink plenty of water to be physically fit. Not only the children, even the staff get a reminder to have adequate water,” Sen said.
Indus Valley World School rings the water bell after every two periods, said school director Amita Prasad. “We felt the necessity of it seven months back and we are continuing with this system.”
Children Welfare Association and Jadavpur Vidyapith, too, have introduced water bells. Children Welfare Association’s headmistress Sarbari Sengupta said: “The bell is ringing at 12.30pm and again at 3.10pm, twice in a day for both of us. We are offering a glass of glucose every day.”
The authorities at Birla High School, DPS Newtown and Modern High School said class teachers were advising children to have adequate water while Future Foundation School has conducted orientation programmes for parents. Julien Day School, Kalyani principal Terence John said they had a ‘slip’ system for the children to fill the water bottle from time to time. “We asked teachers to advise children to have water from time to time and allow teachers to carry a water bottle while taking classes so that they don’t get exhausted. We are keeping sufficient water for children, parents as well as visitors,” he added.
DPS Newtown has installed glucose counters on each floor and asked children to carry two bottles — one for water and another for lime water, coconut water or ORS.
St Augustine Day School, Shyamnagar, has allotted a water break for the children during class hours and the school is also offering a class of glucose. “This is an awareness drive to remind all of us to stay hydrated. Moreover, we distributed water to the pedestrians on Tuesday,” said principal Rodney Borneo.