Oklahoma City school reports every child has a coat

It's next to impossible to imagine being outside in today's wind without a coat.But for thousands of Oklahoma City children, that used to be a harsh reality. Last year, Oklahoma City Schools canceled enough classes that the district had to make them up. And it was due in large part to the frigid temperatures. The district said it was simply too cold for many students to safely get to school wearing the hoodies and t-shirts that made up their regular wardrobe.

At Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School, staff recall the problem. There, the poverty level is at 100 percent and half the students walk to school.

"It made me kind of feel sad," said fourth grader Cory Nowlin, who watched several of his friends walk in the cold.

"They have different answers like 'my coat was dirty or I don't have one or I lost it,'" said P.E. teacher Lydia Dowdell, who likes to host class outside as often as possible.

But that changed this year. Mentors from local energy company Williams were already visiting the school once a week. And they helped measure and purchase a new, colorful coat for all 450 students.

Nowlin said he had a coat last year, but he still felt cold outside. He says his new one is much better.

"I thought it has a good color and it was very cool," he said.

"It's a good feeling not only to help out kids, but to help out kids that you have personal relationship with," said Williams spokesperson Chris Callahan.

He says the success of local students in schools helps locally-based businesses too.

"They'll someday be part of the workforce here in Oklahoma and potentially will be kids we could hire someday."

MLK's coat drive was part of the larger, district-wide program to coat every kid. It coincided with the district's changed cancellation policy, which keeps schools open in the bitter cold.

"It makes me feel great," Dowdell said, "we wont have to make up all those days like we did last year."

Teachers say it will help with attendance and distractions during winter. And they think it could help with something slightly less tangible.

"Anything we can do to help give these kids a sense of empowerment and pride," Dowdell said.