BOSTON -- It's some of the most popular footwear out there -- sandals, crocs and flip flops -- but some school principals want to give flimsy foot gear the boot in the name of safety.

NewsCenter 5's Jim Boyd reported that the shoes are extremely popular, especially with young girls, but at the Thompson Elementary School in North Andover, the principal sent a note home to parents saying the students have to leave their loose-fitting shoes at home.

"When you come to school have footwear that's going to be safe when the children are going to be running, climbing on the equipment. The shoes the sandals will not fall off," school Principal John McAleer said.

McAleer cited safety concerns, saying there's a little leeway with crocs sandals if they are worn with the strap fitting securely around the heel.

Generally, many of the parents are willing to go along with the shoe restrictions, despite some protests from their children.

"My daughter happens to be very fashionable and doesn't like [the ban]. I do understand that it's a safety issue and that's why I understand," parent Kristen Sipsey said.

"They fall, get scrapes on their knees, whatever," parent Mark Brazeau said.

McAleer said the new regulations came after the school nurse came to him with certain concerns.

"We want to notify parents for safety reasons. The nurse came to me having a couple of children come off the, playground, and having been injured on the equipment, because of their flip, flops and having slipped," McAleer said.

"I Think you know, for the next seven days of school we can, you know follow whatever the regulations are," parent Helen Pickard said.

"It's not really a matter of trying to control people's rights about what to wear. It's a more safety, so I support it," Dawn Crescitelli of the school PTC said.

McAleer said the hope is that students can get through the rest of the school year, until June 20, without any mishaps.