Crocs banned at Massachusetts elementary school

Correction: it's the "beach-type" crocs, not ALL crocs

Principal gives crocs the boot

NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. -- A North Andover school is keeping out crocs and other loose-fitting sandals and flip-flops.

Thompson Elementary is banning the popular spring footwear and other sandals from the hallways.

The school's principal, John McAller, gave the beach-type crocs the boot because of safety reasons. He also says he's looking out for his students' wellbeing on the playground and in the event of a fire emergency.

Kids at Thompson Elementary are expected to show up in footwear that completely covers the foot.

(Copyright 2007 Sunbeam Television. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

"....there's a little leeway with crocs sandals if they are worn with the strap fitting securely around the heel."

http://www.thebostonchannel.com/asseenon5/13485412/detail.html

The person that made this call, simply isnt enjoying crox as an invesment and isnt looking for the best for his students rather looking for attention on his part, please crocs are shoes not a taser

KEPT THE CROXS IN THE CAR SO WHEN I WAS AT THE BEACH THEY WERE THERE. THE SHRUNK ...THERE WAS NO WARNING LABLE WHEN I BOUGHT THEM. I WAS NOT ABLE TO GET A REFUND. THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN A DISCLAMER ON THE SHOE. I PAID A LOT AND LOST IT. BUT I DO THINK THE SHOE IS GOOD. JUST NOT THE SERVICE.

crox and the stock are for suckers.

Crocs are the ugliest shoe ever. I wouldn't be caught dead in them.

Crocs and clog-type shoes have never been allowed in our school system. Sandals and flip-flops are also banned, as are heelies. This is not news. Personally, I've seen kids take some nasty spills in those Croc contraptions. They do not provide a snug/safe fit and, in my opinion, are a hazard.

I think 90% of the problems in the schools would disappear if the students had to wear uniform dress and shoes.

I think that if everyone stopped looking for things to complain about or ban.... that maybe the kids can do more productive things like LEARN. The Teachers can TEACH. Who cares if the kids are wearing crocs.... big deal. It has no effect or no saftey hazard on the kids. Quite frankly if people where them working in a hospital for comfort and support purposes I pretty sure, they are suitable for children to wear to school. Not to mention in expensive on the parents pocket. Now really, maybe the principal should start doing more effective things like cleaning up the playgrounds instead of worrying about the kids shoes. Seeesh!

Crocs are so ugly. I don't get what the appeal is with them.

whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa? you gotta be kidding me, right?! please! some ppl are just plain klutzy and some ADULTS can't walk straight in shoes that covers their whole foot! this is rediculous. kids are going to be a hazard on their feet no matter what they wear b/c their balance and corrdination hasn't matured yet. this is just silly! if we're banning sandal type footwear on kids at school, then we need to ban dress shoes in the work place for adults. how many of YOU have taken a tumble or slipped in your dress shoes?

In response to #8:"I think 90% of the problems in the schools would disappear if the students had to wear uniform dress and shoes."

Have you ever gone to a school where you had to wear uniforms? I did. It was bad. I was wearing the exact same thing that everybody else was wearing. And I still got picked on because the uniforms didn't fit me correctly (I'm short and a bit chunky). After mom and dad paid for the uniforms, we didn't have the money to get them professionally tailored, so mom had to do them herself. She didn't do a bad job, but they didn't look like everybody else's uniforms.

Will uniforms help?....NO! Can EVERYBODY afford to buy two sets of clothes for their children (one set for school and one set for play)?...NO! Do I believe in a strick dress code, that has nothing to do with uniforms?...Yes, and that does work. Should crocs be allowed in school? No, I don't think so. I tried on a pair once, took three steps and nearly slipped and fell...ON A DRY FLOOR!

If you want your kids to wear uniforms...SEND THEM TO A PRIVATE OR RELIGIOUS SCHOOL!

I agree with Jenn, crocs are hideous. I do own a pair of the flip-flops though. I wear them while working in the garden so I can hose my feet off and it won't ruin my shoes.

WHY WOULD ANYBODY IN THEIR RIGHT MIND BAN A SHOE THAT IS NOT ONLY EXTREMELY COMFORTABLE AND USABLE COLORFUL AND FUN TO WEAR WET OR DRY. CROCS ARE FABULOUS. AS A PARENT I HAVE WORN THEM FOR OVER 4 YEARS. I THINK SCHOOLS PLACE MORE ATTENTION ON NEBULOUS RULES THEN ON ACTUALLY IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF EDUCATION OF OUR CHILDREN. IF IT IS O.K. WITH PARENTS THAT CROCS ARE WORN BY THEIR CHILDREN, WHAT RIGHT DO SCHOOL DISTRICTS HAVE IN USURPING PARENTS AND THEIR CHILD DESIRE TO WEAR CROCS. THIS IS ANOTHER CASE OF INFRINGEMENT WHERE IT IS NOT NECESSARY.

I agree with this principal. This is just another new sandal/mule type shoe, and if the rest are banned, this one should be too. I don't think it has anything to do with the cost, or the look of them.

For example, if my child were wearing these particular crocs, and spilled soup on them during lunch, it would burn. The same result for flip-flops which are also not allowed. If they're wearing shoes that cover the entire foot then 1. They are less likely to slip off during class/recess/PE and 2. protects them from dangerous spills.

I am behind this, as the mother of 2 kids. If we let these sandals go, then there goes the whole dress code. Where would it end?

Crocs are ugly, and not at all stylish, but they are comfortable. I save mine for the days I'll be doing the most walking. As for my kids, they both have a pair and we have made it through three years with no accidents. They are their favorite shoes.

I love my crocs...as someone who suffers from plantar fasciitis-wearing crocs are the only thing that has helped the pain after wearing them in the house and around town..I have no problems any more.
They are ugly but they are therapeutic and offer proper cushioning as well as arch support for me.

Crocs are the ugliest shoes I've ever seen!

THESE HAVE GOT TO BE THE UGLIEST LOOKING SHOES I HAVE EVER SEEN! TRUTH BE KNOWN THE PRINCIPAL BANNED THEM BECAUSE HE PROBABLY THOUGHT SO TOO. ANYONE REMEMBER JELLIES CIRCA 1980's ? IT JUST GOES TO SHOW IF THE RIGHT PERSON IS SEEN WEARING SOMETHING PEOPLE WILL MIMIC THEM TO CREATE THE SAME EFFECT. I HOPE SOMEONE FAMOUS DOESN'T START WEARING ROADKILL ON THEIR FEET. PEEEEEUUUUUU!!!!

Anyone who wears crox, wears them for comfort. I first heard about them from two women at a party and one was a nurse and one was a teacher. They are the most comfortable shoe they have ever worn, and being on their feet all day made the crox a big plus. Anyone knows if your feet hurt, your whole body hurts. And No I didn't buy the stock, i just bought the shoes for my sisters and kids.