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http://www.thetowntalk.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050831/NEWS05/50831012

If you would like to donate public school uniforms for refugee children, here are two places that are gathering them:

J. B. Nachman Elementary School
4102 Wakefield Boulevard
Alexandria, Louisiana 71303
(318) 445-7725

Rosenthal Montessori Elementary School
1951 Monroe Street
Alexandria, Louisiana 71301
(318) 442-5791

(In case you're wondering, yes, this is a public school. Believe it or not, you can actually get a tuition-free Montessori education in Alexandria with transportation provided at no charge from anywhere in the parish -- who knew?!)

White polo shirts are acceptable at all Rapides Parish public schools, but there are individual regulations about what the second color may be for each school. For example, kids at Rosenthal are allowed to wear burgundy polo shirts but no other colors than white or burgundy are permissible. Other schools allow red, light blue, orange, navy blue, and green polo shirts, but again, on an individual basis.

Navy and khaki are the only acceptable colors for uniform-tailored trousers, knee-length shorts, skorts, jumpers and long skirts. Trousers must have belt loops and a dark colored belt must be worn with polo shirts tucked in, and can be worn by both male and female students. Rubber soled shoes are required for gym classes, so dress shoes would not be a helpful donation for these kids.

See the Rosenthal web site for pictures of what the polo shirts should look like:

http://www.rapides.k12.la.us/ros.htm

If you would prefer to donate classroom supplies for refugee students, here is a list of what incoming students are expected to bring with them to Rapides Parish schools at their own expense:

http://www.rapides.k12.la.us/05-06/supply/05-06.pdf (requires Adobe Acrobat to read)

Nachman would prefer that the supplies be preassembled in kits and labeled for the appropriate grade.

On a personal note, I'll tell you what I did today to help. I filled a large plastic bag with my daughter's outgrown uniform shirts and trousers, planning to deliver them to the Salvation Army. However, while waiting in line at the bank, I noticed several distraught-looking families waiting to speak to the bank managers. I saw a girl about my daughter's age who had a bandage completely covering one eye, and noticed she was not dressed in school clothes. I waited until the family finished their banking business and asked the mother if they were refugees. When she said yes, I invited her to come to the parking lot with me, and I gave her the bag out of my trunk. She was very grateful, because she said they had nowhere to go and didn't know who to ask for help. I answered a few questions and went on my way, glad I could be of assistance.

This is just me, but I personally get a lot more satisfaction out of knowing exactly how my donation is being used. In this case, I feel good knowing my daughter's clothes have gone directly to a homeless child. It's a lot more rewarding than dropping a check in the mail. I hope you'll consider making direct contact with people in this area, because thousands of refugees will still be marooned in Alexandria long after the headlines have shifted to something else.

Also see this link:

http://www.thetowntalk.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050831/NEWS01/508310316/1002

KALB-TV is reporting that neighboring Grant Parish will be opening their doors to refugee children as well, but I didn't get full details on this.

Thanks again for your continuing interest!