Newburgh schools ban metal water bottles following series of student assaults with the containers
The district is asking students to instead use reusable plastic water bottles in class.
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The Newburgh Enlarged City School District has now banned metal and aluminum water bottles following three student assaults with the containers, including one that they say injured a teen.
The ban went into effect on Tuesday, May 13.
The district released the following statement in a letter to parents about the new policy:
“While aluminum bottles have become popular due to their durability and environmental benefits, they pose unique difficulties when it comes to ensuring they are used appropriately in a school setting.”
News 12 obtained video of one of the attacks from a concerned parent that shows a teenage girl repeatedly struck in the head with a pink metal water bottle by another female student on the bus.
“It’s a safety issue,” says one parent, who asked not to be identified. “I don’t want to worry for seven hours if someone’s going to beat her up with a metal object.”
The district is asking students to instead use reusable plastic water bottles in class which some residents agree is a safer option.
“Plastic water bottles seem like an OK alternative. You have to drink something during the day,” says Joe Galante.
Other parents, however, wrote in to News 12 by email saying the ban is an issue because they don’t let their kids use plastic water bottles.
“There are a multitude of reasons my children will not be bringing a plastic water bottle to school. Any educated adult knows the environmental and health risks of using plastic water bottles and I refuse to put my children in that situation,” the parent wrote.
Some recent and emerging research suggests plastic water bottles can contain possibly harmful microplastics.
A representative for Newburgh schools says the ban is similar to standard practices in large venues during performances and concerts.
