H2-Oh No

The solution to having water bottles in Milton Area Senior High is clear, according to high school administration.

Principal Mr. Andrew Rantz said that water bottles in the school must be clear, and have clear liquid in them. “If we only allow water, this helps to prevent allergic reactions from any other substance…nobody is allergic to water,” he added.

The rule is longstanding, but Mr. Rantz said this school year, administration will be stringent in enforcing it. The rule has been in place since at least 2003, when he was a student, he added.

“We are just maintaining a safe and secure environment for students,” Mr. Rantz said. He added that by maintaining a safe environment, the school is preventing exposure to allergies or foreign substances.

“If a student brings a bottle that is not clear, meaning even slightly tinted, the student will be told to empty the contents within the bottle…,” Mr. Rantz said. He added that if students continue to break the rules regarding the water bottles, they will be disciplined for insubordination.

Mr. Rantz stated that students may have décor on the outside of the bottle, as long as the liquid inside is visible and clear. He added that students’ water bottles may be filled prior to entering the school.

On Oct. 3, a water fountain that fills water bottles was installed in the cafeteria. “Many students have pointed out that there were these kinds of fountains in the middle school, so I finally managed to get one for the high school. I am trying to make the students happy,” Mr. Rantz added.

Spanish Teacher Angela Hunter said the main concern with the non-clear water bottles was that nobody knew what was inside of them.

Ms. Hunter explained that once she realized the rule was being enforced more, she gave her students two to three days to get rule compliant bottles. She added she has not had any major issues with students not complying with the rule.

Ms. Hunter said some students in her morning class still bring their coffee mugs from home and forget to place them in their lockers.

“Having clear water bottles will help to deter some of the students from these kind of actions, but some students, if determined enough, will find ways around this rule,” Ms. Hunter said. “The rules of only clear bottles means students won’t try to bring substances they know they can’t have.”

Senior Dawson Geiser said that the water bottle controversy is overblown.  He added he was without a water bottle for a couple days because his was not considered clear. “I did not have access to a water bottle, so I could not feasibly hydrate enough to run well for cross country,” he said.

Dawson said he feels all students should not be punished because of the possibility that others may bring alcohol to school. He added that those determined will find ways around this because water and vodka are both clear in appearance and somebody may try to bring it later.