Lafayette Mother Outraged After School Left 4-Year-Old Outside Without Jacket on Near-Freezing Day

A Lafayette mother’s Facebook post has gone viral after her 4-year-old son was left outside without a jacket at Evangeline Elementary School on Tuesday, January 7. Temperatures that day hovered near freezing, sparking outrage among parents and community members.

UPDATE:

LPSS Communications & Public Relations Specialist Tracy Wirtz has issued the following statement regarding dress code policy enforcement:

The Evangeline Elementary parent was informed by school administration that the student's hooded jacket did not comply with the dress code and was held in the office. Due to cold weather, students remained inside the building during the day. Unfortunately, the jacket was not returned to the student before dismissal.

School administration has apologized to the parent and addressed the matter directly. To prevent similar issues and ensure students’ comfort, children are now kept in the cafeteria while waiting for pick-up, avoiding exposure to the cold.

Elementary school principals have been directed to take steps to prevent similar situations in the future. Teachers will remind students that hooded garments are prohibited under the LPSS Dress Code Policy. Students wearing such garments will be required to remove them while inside the building, and parents will be notified of any policy violations so they can plan accordingly.

The Dress Code Policy can be found on page 26 of the 2025-26 LPSS Student/Parent Handbook.

We appreciate your understanding as we continue to prioritize adherence to policies and the smooth operation of our schools.

ORIGINAL STORY:

Kerra Wilson explained that her son’s jacket, which had a hood, was confiscated by school officials for violating the dress code. She was aware of the rule prohibiting hoods but said she had no other option because her son had outgrown his hoodless jacket. After dropping him off, she received a call from the school stating they had taken the jacket and planned to replace it soon.

Wilson was shocked to find her son sitting outside on cold concrete without a coat during dismissal. While he had gloves and a knit hat, he told her he felt cold when she picked him up from Evangeline Elementary. "Rules are rules, but where’s the compassion and common sense?” Wilson said in an interview.

The next day, Wilson received a call from Evangeline Elementary Principal Felise Williams, who acknowledged the incident. Wilson noted that students waited inside the following day, showing an effort to address the issue.

The story quickly gained traction on social media, with Wilson's post shared over 700 times. Parents and community members expressed outrage, calling for changes in policies to protect children during extreme weather.

One commenter wrote, "Leaving a 4-year-old outside in freezing weather without a coat is unacceptable." Others questioned the necessity of such a strict rule for young children, suggesting alternatives like allowing children to tuck in their hoods.

Some parents shared similar experiences, with one noting, "If a parent left a child outside in this weather, CPS would be called. The school should be held accountable."

Wilson emphasized she doesn’t want chaos but hopes for solutions to prevent similar incidents. In a heartwarming move, other parents have offered to donate jackets to her son, gestures Wilson described as “uplifting.”

We reached out to the Lafayette Parish School System (LPSS) for comment but did not receive a response by the close of business. This story will be updated if LPSS provides a statement.

This incident has left many questioning whether current policies strike the right balance between maintaining discipline and prioritizing student welfare.

UPDATE:

On Thursday evening (Jan. 9), Kerra Wilson informed us that Ginger Richard, Chief of Elementary Schools at LPSS, personally reached out to apologize for the incident. According to Wilson, Richard acknowledged that the situation was not handled properly and empathized with her concerns as a fellow mother.

Richard clarified that Wilson’s son should not have been outside without a coat and explained that, by the letter of the law, he could have worn his hooded coat outdoors without issue. Additionally, Richard agreed that students should have been dismissed from inside the building given the near-freezing temperatures.

Being acknowledged provided some reassurance to Wilson, who said she "appreciated the understanding and effort" to address her concerns.

If you’d like to share your thoughts or experiences, feel free to comment.