What type of shoes for school?

[Anonymous]

This is my first child in public school. I understand that PE will be once a week and she will need sneakers. I assume I will need to get her another pair of shoes to wear on the other days. She can't do fashion boots due to orthodics, so I'm probably looking at a tie shoe or a mary jane type. Typically, how many pairs of shoes should a 5 yr old girl need for school (not counting rain or snow boots)? Is there any type of shoe that is not allowed to be worn to public school?

[Anonymous]

Anything is fine. Rule for PE is rubber sole. You can get by with one pair if you like or have different ones for everyday. I don't know anyone who uses rain boots.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Anything is fine. Rule for PE is rubber sole. You can get by with one pair if you like or have different ones for everyday. I don't know anyone who uses rain boots.

OP here. Thanks for the info on rain boots. her preschool required it so she has a pair. We can just use them at home.

Will teachers help the kids tie their shoes or is velcro expected? I ask b/c DD can tie her shoes but will still need some help. I wasn't sure if the teachers would take the time or not to help a child.

[Anonymous]

My kids couldn't tie their own shoes until 7. We always did velcro until @ 8 ( late, I know)The PE department at Janney will not let your kid participate that day if they wear flip flops. There used to be a PE guy that didn't let girls wear skirts for PE--they fired him a few years ago, thankfully.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kids couldn't tie their own shoes until 7. We always did velcro until @ 8 ( late, I know)The PE department at Janney will not let your kid participate that day if they wear flip flops. There used to be a PE guy that didn't let girls wear skirts for PE--they fired him a few years ago, thankfully.

I seriously doubt that a PE teacher was fired because he would not let girls wear skirts to PE. It sounds like the sensible thing to do. In high school students must dress for PE unless they have a doctors note and "dress" means sneakers, shorts, and a PE shirt.

[Anonymous]

Our MCPS elementary school prohibits flip flops/strapless shoes (i.e., all shoes must fasten on the feet and even sandals must have a strap around the heel) and "wheelie" shoes -- which may have fallen out of popularity. FWIW, both my son and daughter -- by choice -- wear sneakers to school almost every day because they're very "active" during recess but (with respect mostly to my daughter) will wear/change into nicer shoes on special occasions (e.g., student/class picture day; winter/spring concerts; certain field trips like to Strathmore or Kennedy Center; etc.).

[Anonymous]

OP here. Will info about what is allowed and what is not be on a schools website? I went to the schools website and found nothing. I could not even find information about school supplies, much less what is and isn't allowed at the school.

[Anonymous]

Both DS and DD wear sneakers everyday. I have stopped buying them anything else (aside from dress up) because they are never worn. They are 10 and 12 now. The only rule I have ever seen is about wheelies and that fad has ended. I would go with velcro until your child can tie.

[Anonymous]

I have found that public school is less restrictive than our private school on footwear so I assume whatever worked at your private school will work for MCPS too. You can also wait until school has started to see what other kids in her class are wearing (assuming that she currently has some sort of shoes that fit).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Will info about what is allowed and what is not be on a schools website? I went to the schools website and found nothing. I could not even find information about school supplies, much less what is and isn't allowed at the school.

A good time to get this type of information (assuming your child will be attending a MCPS elementary) is at the Open House/Meet-Your-Teachers that typically occurs on the Friday before school starts (so this year's should be on 8/24 and likely will be announced in your school's summer mailing -- which generally includes the supply list, bus routes, lunch information, PTA information, etc. -- and/or if your school sends a separate letter/postcard letting your child know which teacher he/she has been assigned). In addition to the classroom teachers, the "specialists" -- PE, music, art, media -- are usually present too and they, like the classroom teachers, should be able to answer any (remaining) questions you may have. Best wishes for an overall successful elementary school experience for your daughter; my own is a rising 6th grader and I can't believe how quickly those years passed!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Will info about what is allowed and what is not be on a schools website? I went to the schools website and found nothing. I could not even find information about school supplies, much less what is and isn't allowed at the school.

A good time to get this type of information (assuming your child will be attending a MCPS elementary) is at the Open House/Meet-Your-Teachers that typically occurs on the Friday before school starts (so this year's should be on 8/24 and likely will be announced in your school's summer mailing -- which generally includes the supply list, bus routes, lunch information, PTA information, etc. -- and/or if your school sends a separate letter/postcard letting your child know which teacher he/she has been assigned). In addition to the classroom teachers, the "specialists" -- PE, music, art, media -- are usually present too and they, like the classroom teachers, should be able to answer any (remaining) questions you may have. Best wishes for an overall successful elementary school experience for your daughter; my own is a rising 6th grader and I can't believe how quickly those years passed!

Thank you. The mailing and open house is something we are familiar with at my DS's school (a private). I don't know why I feel so "in the dark" with our neighborhood public though. I feel like it's a need to know type of thing and a secret you find out at some point (but no one ever lets you know when to expect to find out). I hope the school yr doesn't go like this b/c it's not a good feeling. I did just sign up for the school list serve though.

[Anonymous]

My dd wears sneakers almost everyday. If not, she wears a pair of Merrills like this
http://www.zappos.com/merrell-kids-jungle-moc-toddler-youth-cactus-flower

I want her comfortable and safe. Although she may only be on the playgroud an hour or so, she needs something that can hold up, keep her from tripping, etc. We usually buy 2 pair of sneakers at the beggining of the school year and then around Xmas or right after will buy another pair, depending on wear and tear.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My dd wears sneakers almost everyday. If not, she wears a pair of Merrills like this
http://www.zappos.com/merrell-kids-jungle-moc-toddler-youth-cactus-flower

I want her comfortable and safe. Although she may only be on the playgroud an hour or so, she needs something that can hold up, keep her from tripping, etc. We usually buy 2 pair of sneakers at the beggining of the school year and then around Xmas or right after will buy another pair, depending on wear and tear.

Thanks for the rec. We will be visiting shoe train in August for school shoes and new sneakers (if she needs them). I love the jungle mocs. Unfortunately they don't work for my DD who wears and XW (orthodics and wide do limit our choices so we go early for the best choice we can get).

[Anonymous]

1 or 2 pairs of sneakers should be fine. Pretty much any shoe goes at our MCPS school, but sneakers are required for PE... not sandals, flip flops, etc.

We have never used rain boots!

[Anonymous]

Play it safe. Buy a solid pair of shoes (velcro) from Stride Rite and some fun sneakers from ??? wherever!

I've found that one of each is sufficient for the year. I do have snow boots and even rain boots, but my kids have yet to wear rain boots. On snowy days, I pack their regular shoe in their backpack.