K-3 Separate pair of gym shoes with non-marking soles, velcro or tied. Alternate outfit optional 4-8 Separate pair of gym shoes with non-marking soles, velcro or tied; appropriate length shorts or sweatpants; t-shirt(long or short sleeved), sweat socks, deodorant(non aerosol), and a clothing bag. Students who come to class without these items will not be allowed to participate. **Students grades 4-8 will have points deducted from their preparation grade. GYM SHOES A recent safety concern that we have is the category of sneaker that is geared more towards fashion than function. Examples of this would be platform, slip-ons, strap-heeled, and zippered sneakers. Because these shoes are designed more for fashion they are not appropriate for the vigorous activity of our class. Acceptable sneakers should be normal, gymnasium athletic footwear that have laces or velcro straps (not zippers). All sneakers should be tied or strapped down for safety. Please consider this when doing your pre-school shopping. Also, be sure to check your child's gym shoe for proper fit. A shoe that is too big can be dangerous, and a shoe that is too small can be uncomfortable. The following are examples of shoes that should be avoided for use in gym class and their inherent problems. Platform- These sneakers have thicker than normal soles, which the foot sits on top of for the purpose of adding height. These sneakers have been known to cause lower leg injuries. Slip-on- These sneakers are designed to be easily slipped on and off, and sometimes have an open heel to allow this. These sneakers have been known to come off during class activities, causing accidents and injuries. Strap heeled- These sneakers have a single strap that takes the place of a full heel. These sneakers often do not provide enough support and stability for the foot. Zippered- These sneakers have a zipper on them either as a closure or for a pocket. The zippers on these sneakers often do not stay zipped and can cause cuts and other injuries to students.