One of the main issues today concerning physical education is the wearing of improper shoes. The wearing of hiking boots, platform "gym" shoes, sandals and shoes with metal buckles are seen too much in today's schools. Because children are wearing improper footwear, educators are now dealing with low income families, foot disease, liability, activities for children sitting out, and proper ways to notify parents so they will understand and abide by the rules.
    There are many different perspectives dealing with the issue of improper footwear and the appropriate activities for the children when they can not participate. Berry Cernicky's perspective is to have the children sit out of physical education class and observe their classmates doing the activity. He then has his students either draw a picture of the activity or write about it. Aggie Valentini used the same approach as Berry, but she also has her students take their work home and have it signed and returned. Along with other educators, Teresa, has her students do "sitting out" worksheets which she picked up from PECentral.
    Along with the "sitting out" activities many teacher have a "gym closet" which contains proper footwear that the students may use. Mary Lou Assante was able to bring in her extra shoes from home. The children were thrilled at the opportunity to wear their teacher's shoes. Kevin Mikelback used a different system referred to as "Courtesy Clothing." Kevin and his colleagues would routinely walk through the locker room picking up extra shirts, shoes, and shorts. They were then able to provide the kids with proper footwear if they did not have any. Now they have acquired about 35 pairs of shoes for class. Disinfectant spray is offered to the children to prevent the spread of disease. The overall problem with the donation of shoes is the liability on the educator. Brandi Bazurto and her other physical education teachers are devising a policy on shoes. Their goal is to have this policy become district wide. This would then increase the wearing of proper shoes and also protect the educators.
    Another idea regarding improper footwear was submitted by Wendy Mustain. Wendy states that in Ellensburg the children leave a pair of their own old shoes at school in a bucket or bin. She then suggests that this idea may not work for schools with lower income families. In that case, only the students who have trouble remembering to bring or wear proper shoes, will use the stay-at-school shoes approach.
    A main reason children are wearing improper footwear is due to the low income of their family. Many educators look to other programs for funds to buy proper shoes, but many parents are reluctant to this suggestion for fear of embarrassment. George Hasker speaks directly with his students if they do not wear proper footwear to find out exactly what the problem is. He feels that he can help each child, whether they do not own a pair, or they forget pair. He wants all of his students to participate in physical education class daily, therefore, he deals with the problem immediately.
    The final perspectives discuss ways to notify parents about their children wearing improper footwear. Karen and Joe Gallo first give a slip to the child as a reminder. The second time a slip is given to the homeroom teacher to be sent home to the parents. A third time the student must take the slip home and have it signed and returned by their parents. Finally, on the fourth incident, a call home is made, a signature is required and a assignment in the form of a report is required for students grades third through fifth. Michael Lemerise used much of the same idea, on the first offense he keeps record of it. The second offense, a behavior checklist is sent home to be signed and returned and on the third offense the parents are contacted to resolve the situation.
    Overall I believe that Rick Johnson has the best idea to resolve the issue of improper footwear. A local shoe store provided him with a size 23 pair of high tops. When one of his classes wears proper shoes he gives them a sticker. At the end of each month the stickers for each class are added up and the class with the most stickers wins the "Big Shoe Award." The principal had the shoe mounted on a plaque, and this plaque is placed in the homeroom of the winning class. The winning class is also announced on the intercom in the morning. This is a wonderful idea and more schools should try this approach, I think they would have successful results.
    I believe that Michael Lemerise states it perfectly when he says that, "the shoe problem is never really solved-just do not let it get you down." There will always be parents who do not allow their children to borrow shoes or accept money that others offer to purchase shoes. The children should not have to suffer, due to their parents low income. As Debra Fisher states, "Why punish the child when, in many instances, the reason they don't have proper footwear is that their parents simply can't afford to buy them?" She believes students may begin to have negative attitudes towards physical education and as physical education instructors that is obviously not our goal. Along with many of the educators, I also agree that the safety of the child is more important then demanding them to participate in physical education. We live in a society of unhealthy, overweight people and the only way to solve this problem is to make children understand the importance of daily physical activity. As a physical education teacher I would organize a fund-raiser in which the school could earn money and apply it towards proper footwear for those who can not afford it. Physical education is a very important part of our children's lives and we need to take every step possible to resolve the situation of improper shoes, whatever the resolution my be.