It is important that students have the appropriate clothing during all seasons, especially the winter. That is why all Gilmer County schools have clothes closets which makes clothes available to students anytime they need them.
Having access to shirts and pants, students can also pick up shoes, socks, jackets, toboggans, mittens, toiletry items and book bags.
“The students at CCES can access the clothes closet anytime anything is needed,” said Clear Creek Elementary School nurse Cayla West. “We also try to give out items that we (staff at CCES) feel students are in need of because we know not all children are completely comfortable just coming to ask for things out of the clothes closet.”
Being new or gently used, the clothes are donated by school staff, parents, local churches and community helpers/businesses. Sometimes CCES has received an abundance of donations that makes the closet so full that there is no room to store the items.
“I have called parents/guardians of families in need to ask them if they could use any clothing items,” said West. “We try to make sure that all donations go to good use and are not just sitting on a shelf, hanger or stored away in a bin.”
CCES is very thankful to everyone who has made donations this school year. So many kids have benefited from those donations. CCES welcomes donations anytime.
Students are given items based on situation and need. There may be financial hardship on the family and are unable to afford clothing for the student and their siblings, washing machines may be broken and they have no clean clothes or the student may need a bigger or smaller size of clothing that day. Having access to the closet also helps parents so they do not have to leave their job or they may not have transportation to take a change of clothing.
“There are so many struggling families in Gilmer County who constantly worry about food, housing and clothing,” said West. “A child knows when something of importance is in great need, therefore putting stress on a child.
“If we can take away some stress and worry of a child not having seasonal clothing, shoes or toiletries, we feel like we make a small difference.”
In charge of the clothes closet at Clear Creek Middle School is nurse Kelly Smith and the guidance counselors.
“We provide a clothing closet here at CCMS because there is such a great need for it,” said Smith. “It is used on almost a daily basis. Between kids spilling things on themselves and just having a general need, it is a very important part of providing for students.”
At Mountain View Elementary, there is no limit to how many items a child can take; however, if it gets to be a regular occurrence (needing clothes several times per week), administration will intervene to determine how best to assist that family.
It is important to Gilmer County schools to make sure all students have clean and appropriate seasonal clothing. It makes a big difference in a child’s self-esteem, allowing them to focus on school work, friendships and hopefully just being a care-free kid while at school.