Wow, so much feedback! Yes, I'm by St. Louis and it does get pretty cold in the winter. The kids should ALL have coats and gloves, but the parents don't always come through. The PTA collects coats and our FCCLA always hands out brand new gloves to the elementary students that need them.

40 seems downright balmy here right now. Not sure what our average January temp is, but I'm guessing it's in the high 20s. We have snow and sometimes we have windchills below 0.

I haven't had a chance to read all replies, but I will when I have time and I really appreciate all who chimed in.