ON MONDAY MORNING, the temperature in Emporia was 3 degrees and the wind chill was 16 below. That kind of cold is not just an inconvenience — it can be deadly.
At those temperatures, exposed flesh can quickly be frostbitten. People whose clothing does not offer adequate protection from the wind and cold (think children waiting for a school bus in the pre-dawn dark) risk hypothermia.
And yet, Monday morning, there were people running around Emporia without gloves or hats. In some cases, they were not even wearing coats. An insulated vest may be fine for helping to maintain body heat in the torso, but in this kind of weather, it’s fighting a losing battle to the heat being lost through the unprotected arms, legs and head.
Kansans are really not used to this kind of weather, particularly this early in the season. This part of the state can go for years without seeing a temperature below 10 or 15 degrees. Winter here tends to be a sloppy inconvenience, rather than a potentially deadly enemy.
The temperature is already beginning to moderate and might even get into the 40s by Thursday. But Sunday night’s arctic blast may just be a warning of worse to come. January and early February are typically the coldest part of the year. If that is so this winter, we could see much nastier weather than this.
Parents, make sure your children have warm coats and gloves — and make sure they wear them. If you can’t afford warm coats for the family, check with the Salvation Army Thrift Store on Constitution Street between Fifth and Sixth avenues, which has the remainder of the 1,000 coats collected last month for Project Warmth.
If you must choose between warm clothing and Christmas presents this year — as an increasing number of families will have to — give presents of clothing. An iPod, a video game or a Barbie doll may be entertaining, but none of those gadgets or toys can keep a child warm on a cold morning.
The children may be annoyed, but they’ll just have to work that out with their therapists 15 or 20 years from now.
And, grownups, while you’re at it, set a good example and dress for the weather. Your health is important, too.
Patrick S. Kelley
Editorial Page Editor
Denise_Dorcey (anonymous) says...
Amen to your commentary, Pat!
The past two days at EHS, students have been coming to school in only hoodies for coats, shorts and even flip-flops. Winter is not a time for such nonsense.
I've been telling my students, if you cannot afford a coat, go to the Salvation Army; Capt. Burris will set you up!
December 16, 2008 at 8:52 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
LifeGoesOn (anonymous) says...
Denise_Dorcey, watch what you tell students, maybe they dont appreicate your dress either, but they are not assuming you just cant afford better clothes. If you had told my child to go to the Salvation Army because you didnt like what they were wearing, You and I would have had a little chat. I'm sure you care about the kids but you need to rethink how you go about showing it.
December 17, 2008 at 4:48 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Denise_Dorcey (anonymous) says...
I guess I should have added more.
They have told me they cannot afford it. You are assuming about me.
December 17, 2008 at 8 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
It isn't always a budget problem. One problem kids have with wearing coats is that they don't fit into those small lockers, and hauling a coat around all day long is a pain. Because of fire codes, coats can't be hung on open locker doors. So what do you do? I used to invite kids to store their coats in the back of my room. Often there would be a mountain of coats back there. Sometimes I'd have to smile when a cell phone in a pocket would go off in the middle of the day. Then after school, in tumbled kids to search the pile for their coats, chatting and kidding around, "Bye Mrs. X," then off they'd go. It was a mini social thing. I liked it.
December 17, 2008 at 8:04 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Denise_Dorcey (anonymous) says...
At least in the room I work in, the kids are there all day. The coat stays in the room with them all day. I can't speak for the other students...
So, with your argument about the coats I'm willing to budge on that. But, the issue of shorts and flip-flops at this time of the year is ridiculous.
I will add, however, both of my pre-teen children seem to find a way to fit their coats in their locker. I know with many students, wearing a coat is not cool; wearing a hoodie is. My opinion is that winter should not be a time to worry about fashion statements, especially in the case of children. THe adults can make that bad choice for themself. .
Just this morning when dropping off my kids at their school, a boy hopped out of an SUV in shorts to go to school for the day.
Go to any of the elementary schools. You will find there a large number of kids every winter day without coats, gloves or mittens. In my opinion that is a shame and is neglectful; especially with agencies here in Emporia ready to provide free coats to those who ask. I know because my husband led one of those coat drives.
I'm not trying to grind on here. I just agree with Mr. Kelley that people do not take dressing for winter seriously. I wanted to add that I believe this is especially a concern when those people are children.
December 17, 2008 at 8:38 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Denise_Dorcey (anonymous) says...
By the way, I apologize for the poor grammar in my last message. I should have edited myself...
December 17, 2008 at 9:02 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Pollyanna (anonymous) says...
Why is it my 11 yr old son would wear athletic shorts year round no matter the temp? This last week has been about the only time he has conceeded and not fought me on HAVING to wear long pants or athletic pants of some sort. Thankfully I have the energy for the fight, although there are times I just want to say "wear the shorts for crying out loud and learn your own valuable lesson!" My concern is that I'd be one of those "awful parents" who doesn't dress their kid appropriately!!!!! Ahhh, KIDS!! :)
December 17, 2008 at 9:04 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Weltha (anonymous) says...
Pollyanna you just described my life to a T. My 11 year old is exactly the same. EXACTLY!!!
December 17, 2008 at 9:11 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
glarson (anonymous) says...
Pollyanna & Weltha,
Yep, parents have dealt with strong-willed children since Cain and Abel.
In my case, Pollyanna, I have allowed my child to go without a coat when he argued with me. That wouldn't have happened yesterday, but has when I know the high will be only in the 50s and he insists he needs no jacket or hoodie. Eventually, I believe, he will understand that, after 44 years, I do know a thing or two.
As for the shorts, we were blessed with a school principal three administrators ago that issued a rule to all students — shorts could not be worn to school unless the temperature was forecast to be 70 or above. At the time, my boys were 4, 6 and 8. Man, I loved being able to use the "school rule" rather than it being a "mom's rule."
Gwen Larson
December 17, 2008 at 11:21 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Pollyanna (anonymous) says...
That is nice to fall back on the "school rule". Emporia schools must hope their students aren't knuckleheads who choose to wear shorts when it's 20 degrees!! haha
I should be thankful these are the major battles so far...I'm sure my time is coming for teen angst! Yikes. Get me meds...
December 17, 2008 at 11:48 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
LifeGoesOn (anonymous) says...
Denise_Dorcey, I was not assuming anything about you, the post you made said "I've been telling my students, if you cannot afford a coat, go to the Salvation Army"
I simply said you may want to rethink that before saying that type of thing to the students. You clarified your eariler post with your second post when you said "I guess I should have added more.They have told me they cannot afford it"
IF you had said this in your first post, my response would have been different, I did not "assume" anything.
I do agree parents should dress their chilren more appropriate
for the cold but I know kids have been dressing like this for Years and Years and it matters little in the long run what anyones opinion is on the subject. People will dress however they want.
December 17, 2008 at 2:47 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
HenryVIII (anonymous) says...
LifeGoesOn,
Assume = to take upon oneself OR to take as granted or true
Didn’t you take it upon yourself to conclude that Denise_Dorcey didn’t know the financial status of the kids? Didn’t you also take this conclusion as a true statement when you offered your advice? Seeing how Denise_Dorcey DID know the financial situation of the kids I would say you DID make an assumption and it was incorrect.
'enry
December 17, 2008 at 3:47 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
LifeGoesOn (anonymous) says...
HenryVIII, I took the comment "if you cannot afford a coat, go to the Salvation Army" at face value. I Didnt assume she did or did not know the financial situation of the students. I did come to the "conclusion" (not assumtion) it was a true statement since she was the one who said she did it, No assumtion there. Anything else?
December 17, 2008 at 4 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
LifeGoesOn (anonymous) says...
Henery, I will make the assumption that Denise can respond for herself without your help, are you like her big brother or something? Get a life.
December 17, 2008 at 4:06 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Denise_Dorcey (anonymous) says...
Thank God we live in a country where we all can state our opinions; be those helpful or be those hateful.
Merry Christmas to you all!
December 17, 2008 at 6:38 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
Now here's a situation that screams "just like a kid." This afternoon, on Merchant Street, right near the Gazette office in fact, I saw a young boy, about elevenish, dressed warmly in jeans and heavy coat, even a stocking cap. Good job, kid, I thought. Then I saw him jump from the curb right into a deep puddle. Stomping his feet he looked delighted. His tennies and the bottoms of his jeans were SOAKED. I shivvered. Whattayagonnado?
December 17, 2008 at 7 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
glarson (anonymous) says...
And my two youngest came out of basketball practice at 5:30 p.m. Aaron, 11, walked out in his practice shorts, T-shirt and carrying his coat. (He said he didn't want to waste time changing.)
Luke, 13, had his jeans on and coat (which was open) and proceeded to pick up snow with his bare hands to start a snowball fight.
I could only shake my head...
December 17, 2008 at 8:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
srochat (Scott Rochat) says...
Lynn Johnston put it well, Gwen. "It's hard to look cool and stay warm at the same time." And that was about 25 years ago!
Good luck on the battle of the bundling. Having been the kid who had to wear a coat over his Halloween costume, I can tell you it's never appreciated at the time -- but you're right, sooner or later, he'll understand what you were trying to do. Granted, it may take until he has kids of his own, at which point you can just laugh and laugh ....
Scott Rochat
Longmont, CO
December 19, 2008 at 5:36 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
glarson (anonymous) says...
Scott,
You brought back memories of a Halloween for which my older sister created an "I Dream of Jeannie" costume. Don't remember what it was made of, just recall nobody could see it under the winter coat she was forced to wear when the temperatures dropped into the low 40s!
And, yes, if I'm lucky enough to witness my grandchild argue with his or her father about bundling up, I will be laughing and laughing.
Merry Christmas,
Gwen
December 20, 2008 at 6:18 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )