My son, a diligent student at Middleport Middle School, has been using his own water bottle responsibly throughout the year and since Pre-K just fine. His bottle doesn't squirt and can't crack if it drops on the floor - unlike the clear plastic bottles provided by the school. However, after returning from a break, we found that one teacher is singling out students who supported a fundraiser put on by the 5th Grade Class. This is where our struggle against an unjust rule begins.

The current rule enforced only in our middle school mandates students to use clear plastic water bottles.  Or if they don't use a clear one then the water bottle has to stay in their Homeroom Locker (which for 5th grade is located inside a classroom) or in their Backpack (also in the Homeroom).  Kids are NOT allowed to go into their Homeroom to get their water bottle for a drink when another class in there because it would a distraction.  But they can't have them on them either because apparently that would be a distraction.  So my child can't have access to his water bottle a good chunk of the day.  The kids should be allowed to have these (as they are allowed in all the other buildings at Roy-Hart).  Teachers in the Middle School are allowed to have any water bottles throughout the day without any requirements for them, but the kids are being punished.

Elementary and high schools in our district do not have this requirement. These mandated bottles are not dishwasher safe; they disintegrate over time and make the water taste awful.

Moreover, no clear reason for this rule has been communicated to parents or put into writing. It seems to be an arbitrary regulation enforced sporadically by some teachers.  Several Parents have heard conflicting reasons (I.e. Kids were putting other forms of liquid in them except water, kids are squirting them, they are distracting in class) none of which constitute this rule.  Punish all the kids for a couple kids misbehavior is wrong.

Stainless Steel water Bottles have been proven to be healthier than "BPA FREE" plastic reusable water bottles as well.

We call upon the administration of Royalton Hartland Middle School to abolish this unfair rule immediately so that all students can hydrate healthily without discrimination or fear of retribution for supporting school events like fundraisers.

Please sign this petition if you believe in equal rules across all grade levels at the district.