Beebe, Arkansas – For students in the Beebe School District, the ride home at the end of a sweltering day now comes with a small but welcome comfort — a cold bottle of water waiting right by the bus door. It’s a simple gesture, but one that’s making a big difference for nearly 2,000 children each afternoon.
The district’s new hydration initiative began as a way to tackle one of the toughest parts of the school day: the hot, crowded bus ride. With afternoon temperatures soaring and buses sometimes reaching triple-digit heat, district leaders wanted a solution that was both practical and caring. The answer came in the form of community donations and a coordinated effort from staff and volunteers.
Next to each of the district’s 34 buses, coolers are now lined up and filled with chilled eight-ounce bottles of water. As students board, teachers and staff guide them to take one for the trip home. Beebe Public Schools Superintendent Zebulon Prothro says the idea goes beyond comfort — it’s about safety and well-being.
“I think it makes it a more enjoyable ride for the student, and it’s going to make it safer for the kids as well,” Prothro said. “There’s a mental aspect too — when it’s a hot day and they get that cold bottle of water, it’s just another way we can give back to our kids.”
Providing that daily refreshment is no small task. The district hands out about a pallet of water each day, which adds up to roughly 2,000 bottles. The logistics involve maintenance workers, bus drivers, and even student volunteers, including those in the district’s WOLF community service program. By the time dismissal rolls around, each bus is ready to roll with its cooler in place, ensuring every student has access to water.
For Prothro, the initiative fits perfectly with two of the district’s guiding principles: safety and community.
“We wanted to make it a better place to work and learn, and one of those places is the school bus,” he explained. “When that door opens, the cool air escapes. A cold bottle of water goes a long way in keeping kids safe and cool.”
The water supply fueling this daily effort is coming almost entirely from donations. Local Walmart and Sam’s Club distribution centers have pitched in, along with TLC Apparel and Embroidery. Churches, small businesses, and individual residents have also stepped up, dropping off cases and pallets to keep the supply flowing.
“Everything I’ve asked for from this community, they’ve given,” Prothro said. “I have no doubt we’ll meet our goal going into Labor Day.”
So far, the district’s current stock is expected to last through early September, but with Arkansas heat often lingering well into the fall, officials are encouraging ongoing support. Those who want to help can find the district’s contact information on its website and reach out to Communications Coordinator Courtney DeVevore-Byrd to arrange a donation.
While the program is still in its early weeks, feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. Parents have expressed gratitude, students are happy to get a cold drink on the ride home, and teachers appreciate the focus on student well-being beyond the classroom. It’s a reminder, Prothro says, that sometimes small changes can have a big impact.
“Students are our number one priority,” he said. “And as a parent myself, I can say there are so many people here working hard every day to make things better for our kids.”
The hydration effort also highlights the strong connection between the district and the Beebe community. Without the donations — and the time given by volunteers to store, chill, and distribute the bottles — the project wouldn’t be possible. In return, families know their children are not only cared for during school hours but also during that final part of the day when they’re on the road home.
On the hottest afternoons, when the air outside shimmers and the inside of a bus can feel like an oven, that cold water isn’t just a refreshment — it’s a sign that someone thought ahead, cared enough to prepare, and wanted to make the ride a little easier. And in Beebe, that’s exactly the kind of message the district hopes to send every single day.
