Tarmo Hannula/Register-Pajaronian This third-grader is happy with her new, high quality Sigg water bottle.

H.A. Hyde third-grade teacher Camille Haroldsen has some very persuasive students.

California standards require third-grade teachers in California to write persuasive letters with their students, but often, they are written to school leaders in fruitless requests for different foods at lunch and longer recreation time.

“I can’t give them more recess,” laughed principal Brett Knupfer.

So Haroldsen decided her students would write their letters to outside companies, to see what would happen.

She discussed with the students where they would send the letters, and in the discussion, realized that everyone drank water throughout the day. They chose the Sigg Co., a water bottle company based in Massachusetts.

The company received the letters and soon a boxful of 30 brand-new metal bottles, which are worth about $17 each, arrived at the school. The students chose the size and color they wanted.

“The plastic water bottles can be recycled, but these metal ones you can keep,” explained 8-year-old Eduardo Martinez.

“The plastic ones hold germs,” added Daniel Meza.



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