RANKIN INLET - Students at Leo Ussak Elementary School in Rankin Inlet were a juice and water loving bunch for at least one week this past month.

Dental therapist Dallas Tucktoo, right, and assistant Kilabak Gibbons talk to students about healthy choices during the Drop the Pop campaign at Leo Ussak Elementary School in Rankin Inlet this past month. - Darrell Greer/NNSL photo

The kindergarten to Grade 4 students choose to drink healthy liquids during the Drop the Pop campaign at their school.

The program was co-ordinated by Delores Kent, Tricia Frey and Bill Ryan.

Co-principal Sarah Ayaruak said this year's campaign went very well.

She said the students did their very best to stay away from pop for the entire week.

"We had a Grade 1 student who noticed his mom was making Pizza Pops for lunch," said Ayaruak with a laugh.

"He told his mom he couldn't have any because it was Drop the Pop week at school.

"The students stuck to juice, milk and water at school all week.

"The teachers check with them regularly because of the prize draw at the end of the week, and the students who drank a pop in the evening were very honest in telling them about it."

Dental therapist Dallas Tucktoo played an active role in helping out at the school for Drop the Pop. She said while initiatives such as Drop the Pop do have an impact on kids, she wishes they would go on longer at the schools.

"We hope what we do does help kids realize pop is not a good choice of drink," said Tucktoo.

"Drop the Pop always has a theme and this year we're promoting calcium for strong bones and teeth."

Tucktoo said young students do pick up on good information when they're involved with health initiatives. She said she always takes time to reinforce the message when interacting with the kids.

"I don't just drill, fill and pull their teeth.

"I also do a lot of education with them and I'm here if parents have questions.

"Every time a student comes in I'll ask what they had for lunch or breakfast, and I talk to them about brushing and eating healthy to offer a little guidance that way.

"I love working with kids in the kindergarten to Grade 4 age group because they get so excited over anything we do with them."

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