Hi,

I'm an Assistant Principal at United for Success Academy, a public middle school in Oakland Unified School District, and in the Fruitvale community. Childhood lead poisoning in our community is really high, and our schools continue to face challenges in ensuring that all water fountains are lead-free and safe. The district has shut off water fountains that do not meet the district standard (for repair and retesting), but there is still some lead in the water fountains that are left on. The water bottle filling stations are reported to have tested lead-free and are what the district most encourages students to drink from.

This is an issue near and dear to my heart as 1) it is about our children's basic health and safety, and 2) as a math/science teacher at our site for the 13 years before I became an AP, this is exactly what our citizen science class was about. It is heartbreaking that we are still here.

We need water bottles for 360 students. I am hoping to get BPA-free or metal water bottles and some stickers so students can personalize them (distinguish them from their classmates' and feel invested to take care of them!). It doesn't solve everything that needs to be addressed, but it would help one little school of students stay safe and hydrated as we approach the hottest months of the year in the Bay Area.

Many thanks for your generosity and kindness.