Say NO to flavored water (=soda!) in your school!

It has come to our attention, that in Pickens county schools have started giving our children the option to buy an "aerated flavored water" drink for $1.00 above the cost of their lunch in school cafeterias. We are surprised that Student Nutrition Services deem FlavH2O drinks appropriate to sell in schools to children.

We would like to inform you that this drink is nearly as unhealthy as any carbonated soda drinks, which have been banned from schools for years now. While its manufacturer (Navajo Inc.) might try to disguise FlavH2O as a healthy choice by emphasizing its translucency and fruity flavor, it cannot hide that fact that it DOES contain 20 grams of sugar and 80 calories. 

This drink introduces a number of risks to our students. This nutritionally empty drink endangers the health of our kids, can contribute to weight gain and to the long-term risk of developing diabetes. Its sugar content can compromise our children's dental health. Teachers have observed that it negatively influences students' attention span during classes. Its distribution adds time and space challenges to our already tight lunchroom procedures. Its cost burdens our families' budget in ways that parents often are not aware of.

With the leadership of Clemson Elementary PTA's GoGreen Initiative, parents are raising their voice to stop selling disguised sodas to our children in our school districts' schools. We request that you remove this drink from the district's cafeterias and the school market permanently as soon as possible.

Thank you for taking time to read our letter and considering our request.