Do you agree with this schools policy?

@Sharon I respectfully disagree.But I totally agree that if that's the policy,EVERYONE should have to abide by it.

@Sharon Let me revise my statement.While it may on general principal be the right thing to do,requiring vistors to be barefoot might be impractical and unrealistic;however,the gym teachers should DEFINITELY go in bare feet right along with the kids.Would an adults sneakers be any less damaging to the floor than a childs?And I belive it's always best to lead by example.

@DavidT8899 If a child's gym shoes are likely to damage the floor, how much more likely are an adult's outdoor shoes to? If gym teachers are not required to go barefoot in the gym, I think it's safe to dismiss the possible damage to the frloor excuse as the true reason. There's probably no reason for other visitors to enter anyway - apart possibly paramedics and ambulance technicians when a child is injured.

In my experience, very few school rules have any logic behind them. Most seem to be made by power crazed (head)teachers just to exert their perceived authority so I'm very suspicious of any school rule that doesn't have a clear reason.

@Sharon Let me be clear that the story didnt cover the whether the teachers had to be barefoot as well.But as I said,I agree that they should be.

@Sharon But I do see your point as well.Part of the reason for the policy could be not to humiliate the kids,but to sort of dispower them and accentuate the fact that the adults are on charge.If the teachers wear sneakers on the floor,it could be possible.

@Sharon We had a sprung floor installed for gymnastics and dance at what I imagine was considerable cost. It was used for other activities as well, but us gymnasts and dancers had to work in bare feet anyway so we were grateful if people didn't bring in outside dirt from their shoes. Our teacher wore ballet pumps on it.

@DavidT8899 [quote]Part of the reason for the policy could be not to humiliate the kids,but to sort of dispower them [/quote]
That's essentially what I said I suspect is the true reason. Nothing to do with protecting the floor, just teachers lording it over the peasants like tinpot dictators.

@Sharon Well,at least technically there is a difference between humiliation and disenpowerment.

@DavidT8899 The method might be different but the intention is the same.

@Sharon Thats assuming that the teachers are allowed to wear shoes.The story didnt say one way or another.

@DavidT8899 Fair point, that is my assumption as I very much doubt the rules will apply to the teachers.

@Sharon I must admit that's a fair point too.To be honest,I suspect that the rule doesnt apply to the teachers.

@Sharon That said,I dont think the basic idea is a bad one.

@DavidT8899 It's pointless if the floor is going to be damaged by teachers walking all over it with shoes on - unless the stated reason is just an excuse as I initially suggested.

@Sharon Hey,I dont think its unreasonable to require that the teachers go in bare feet.As you said,if its needed to protect the floor.....

@Sharon Also,if going barefoot on a regular basis is healthy for children's feet,then you have to figure it wont do anything to hurt an adults feet.

@DavidT8899 Besides,the teachers would be leading by example.

@Sharon And also,walking on a cold gym floor in bare feet feels wonderful,so the teachers should actually look foward yo doing it.

@Sharon I know this for a fact because Ive done it many times myself!

@Sharon And regarding 33persons objection that the policy would attract foot-fetishists to the job:thats actually a good point,but I think we should not confuse that with teachers who have the natrual reaction of thinking the kids being barefoot is cute or whatever.Certainly,if a teacher did behave in any way that was inappropriate in that regard,I imagine they would-and should-be fired and maybe prosecuted.But thats a whole other matter than a teacher who might smile or smirk at the kids for being barefoot,or even make a completely innocent teasing comment at a few of the kids.As I mentioned in my earliet post,I was in a situation where my P.E class was required to go in bare feet for two weeks(the teacher wore shoes),and that happened alot to many of us.We just shrugged it off;even as kids,we understood that the teachers were just kidding and meant no harm.During that time,I actually had to walk from tbe gym to the main office in bare feet(Its a long story;wont go into it here.),and believe me when I tell you that they noticed!But that sort of thing is a long way from actual misconduct.