MILLEDGEVILLE — Baldwin County Family Connection has collaborated with Baldwin High School to dress students who cannot afford uniforms with a uniform closet in order to fulfill the school’s new uniform policy.

With a mission to assist and serve children and families in Baldwin County, Diane Lucette, Baldwin County Family Connection board member, said the community has generously donated new and gently used items from their closets and store shelves for students with insufficient funds and students improperly dressed during the school day.

“We wanted to find resources for parents who couldn’t afford the uniform colors. We’ve already had a great response from Milledgeville Cares, Savannah State University alumni, Hattaway Screen Printing and locals who donated,” she said Tuesday. “If a student is improperly dressed, we can dress them properly with these clothes. If students or parents express a need for uniforms, then we provide them. We had one family who had a fire, and they lost everything.”

After the Baldwin County Board of Education approved the mandatory school uniforms for the high school during the May school board meeting, more than 150 students petitioned against the uniform protocol.

“I didn’t like the uniforms at first and then I liked it,” 11th grader Norris Moss said Tuesday. “Overall, I think everyone looks better.”

The entire school system now follows the same dress code guidelines regarding uniforms, requiring all elementary, middle and high school students to wear uniforms Monday through Friday unless principals allow dress down days. Uniforms include polo shirts, dress shirts and turtlenecks in red, black, white and school colors along with shirts, long pants, shorts, skirts and dresses in khaki, black or navy blue.

“I don’t have to worry about what I’m going to wear every morning,” 10th grader Baylee Beall told The Union-Recorder. “Everyone looks the same [so it keeps us focused in school].”

As a 10th and 11th grade social studies and history teacher, Pam Tindal has seen a big difference in the students and their behavior this school year compared to last, she said.

“The hallway is not as loud and students seem to handle themselves differently,” she said. “They just look a whole lot nicer.”

Lola Solomon, parent of a junior and senior, said the upside of having her teens wear uniforms is not having to worry about competing with other students for top clothing and shoe brands.

“I got one who wants to wear sweat pants and a t-shirt and I got one who’s dressed from head to toe,” she said. “Now they are both dressed properly. I’ve saved a lot of money because I just get two of everything. I’m satisfied with the uniforms.”

With an estimated 30 shirts, polos, shorts and pants donated to the uniform closet as of Tuesday, Baldwin County Family Connection Coordinator Kenneth Daniels hopes to take in at least 15 complete uniforms by the end of December.

“All of our activities and programs are designed to assist and serve children and parents. The uniform closet is quite needed, especially with how hard the economic situation ... has hit Baldwin County,” he said. “We plan to continue [the uniform bank because] it’s provided much relief for some parents and students can dress properly according to the most recent policies put in place ... and focus on what’s important in school.”

The student council is slated to meet today to discuss and present a proposal to Principal Dr. Jessica Swain highlighting designated dates throughout the school year for uniform off days and the idea of adding one unique color to each grade level.

To request items from the uniform closet or to donate new or gently used clothing, call Daniels at (478) 387-6986 or Baldwin High School at (478) 453-6429.