Writing names on backpacks?

[POPCITY]

Eh, it's a backpack. I couldn't possibly care less if the teacher wrote DS's name on it, as long as it is still functional. I don't spend a lot on backpacks, specifically to avoid the stress of worrying about it getting torn, or stolen, or written on, or whatever else. Just not important to me.

 

[Ceila]

My son has L.L. bean backpack as well. This is the reason why we bought a backpack from them.. "if you are not 100 percent satisfied L.L. Bean will replace it for free."
So when something happens to backpack like a tear, a rip, or dog chews it up. presto a brand new backpack. Problem solved.

That's all well and good, but I don't think that applies to cases where a teacher wrote on it with a Sharpie, lol.

 

[crazyme5kids]

The OP's daughter is in Kindergarten. Trying to make sure children that age gather up their belongings at the end of the day and get to the buses on time is often hectic. If there are 3 or 4 backpacks that are the same or similar looking, and might not have been put in the proper cubby (or wherever they go in the classroom) doesn't help. This is especially true of the first few weeks of school for young children.

Was the teacher wrong? I don't know. I have no idea if the school or if she has a stated policy that items, or certain items should be labeled.

My policy with my children when they were that age was to label backpacks, put names in coats etc... If an item got lost, or left behind it made it easier to track down.

 

[mad madam mim78]

I have an update to the story. This morning I was vigorously trying to scrub the name off one of the back packs. My DH went to the school to talk to the teacher about the backpacks. For some reason the secretary said it wasn't possible to go to the classroom. Some kind of rule they have in place but that she would take a message and give it to the teacher.

He got a call this afternoon from her and of course she was soooo nice and sweet that my DH didn't have the heart to rip her a new one over it. She apologized and gave us some suggestions how to get it off and said she would avoid this whole scenario in the future.

WELL......I guess since she noticed the name was coming off the front of the backpack (I was scrubbing so hard to get off) she decided to write on the backpack A SECOND TIME!!! Putting it in a different place. So now I have one backpack with 2 names written on it poorly!!! I'm sure she decided to do this before we called her.

My DH and I have been viciously scrubbing with alcohol and all kinds of solvents for about an hour now and have only managed to fade it drastically. When they say there's no such thing as a permenant marker those are LIES. Sharpie (on fabric) is forever!!!

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

Yeah, I think that warrants a talk with the principal. I can't believe she wrote on it again.

 

[tweedlemom]

Yeah, I think that warrants a talk with the principal. I can't believe she wrote on it again.

Agreed!

 

[Erin1700]

Absolutely. Let your kids use something else for a day and bring the bags to the principal.

This teacher should have sent a note home saying "please make sure your child's name is visible on the outside of the backpack." that way parents could do what they pleased.

This isn't a $1.00 folder we are talking about or even a pencil box.

 

[onescgirl]

I have an update to the story. This morning I was vigorously trying to scrub the name off one of the back packs. My DH went to the school to talk to the teacher about the backpacks. For some reason the secretary said it wasn't possible to go to the classroom. Some kind of rule they have in place but that she would take a message and give it to the teacher.

He got a call this afternoon from her and of course she was soooo nice and sweet that my DH didn't have the heart to rip her a new one over it. She apologized and gave us some suggestions how to get it off and said she would avoid this whole scenario in the future.

WELL......I guess since she noticed the name was coming off the front of the backpack (I was scrubbing so hard to get off) she decided to write on the backpack A SECOND TIME!!! Putting it in a different place. So now I have one backpack with 2 names written on it poorly!!! I'm sure she decided to do this before we called her.

My DH and I have been viciously scrubbing with alcohol and all kinds of solvents for about an hour now and have only managed to fade it drastically. When they say there's no such thing as a permenant marker those are LIES. Sharpie (on fabric) is forever!!!

Bless your heart! That sounds like my luck!
Hopefully, this will be your one & only problem, & your daughter will have a great school year!

 

[spacemountainmom]

I'd just like to point out (and someone else mentioned it before)... OTHER kids may, intentionally or not, take your kids stuff. So it wouldn't matter if your child is responsible, it wouldn't matter if you make him hunt high & low for an item. If another kid took it, you're not seeing it again. If you do, and your child's name isn't on the item, now you're "he said/she said".

THAT'S my worry & why we mark our kids stuff. Has it happened to us? No. Does that mean it will never happen? No.

My DS lost TWO jackets last year (one spring, one fall). He left one on a field trip and we don't know where he left the other one. Should he be more responsible? Yes. But the fact is he then didn't have a jacket. I guess "tough noogies"?

I get what you are saying, but honestly how often is the item taken by someone else? My guess would be less than 5%. So 95% of the time the child is careless or clueless. Trust me, my ds is at the top of the careless and clueless list and he's had to suffer the consequences at times.

FTR, my kids stuff is labeled. Our last name starts with a "weird" letter. I can pretty much put a giant letter on (the inside of) my kids stuff and everyone at school knows that it belongs to us. That doesn't mean I want the teacher marking a huge letter on the outside of my kids' stuff.

 

[LuLuO]

I have an update to the story. This morning I was vigorously trying to scrub the name off one of the back packs. My DH went to the school to talk to the teacher about the backpacks. For some reason the secretary said it wasn't possible to go to the classroom. Some kind of rule they have in place but that she would take a message and give it to the teacher.

He got a call this afternoon from her and of course she was soooo nice and sweet that my DH didn't have the heart to rip her a new one over it. She apologized and gave us some suggestions how to get it off and said she would avoid this whole scenario in the future.

WELL......I guess since she noticed the name was coming off the front of the backpack (I was scrubbing so hard to get off) she decided to write on the backpack A SECOND TIME!!! Putting it in a different place. So now I have one backpack with 2 names written on it poorly!!! I'm sure she decided to do this before we called her.

My DH and I have been viciously scrubbing with alcohol and all kinds of solvents for about an hour now and have only managed to fade it drastically. When they say there's no such thing as a permenant marker those are LIES. Sharpie (on fabric) is forever!!!

Wow. I have a lot of respect for teachers and the job they do. It isn't easy for sure. But this type of thing would put me over the edge. I'd be visiting the principal on Monday morning. Keep us posted OP. Can't wait to hear how this turns out.

 

[LuvsDragonflies]

I'd be ticked, that's just stupid wrong.

 

[mhsjax]

I'd just like to point out (and someone else mentioned it before)... OTHER kids may, intentionally or not, take your kids stuff. So it wouldn't matter if your child is responsible, it wouldn't matter if you make him hunt high & low for an item. If another kid took it, you're not seeing it again. If you do, and your child's name isn't on the item, now you're "he said/she said".

THAT'S my worry & why we mark our kids stuff. Has it happened to us? No. Does that mean it will never happen? No.

My DS lost TWO jackets last year (one spring, one fall). He left one on a field trip and we don't know where he left the other one. Should he be more responsible? Yes. But the fact is he then didn't have a jacket. I guess "tough noogies"?

Then mark it on the inside, that is what we do, that is what everyone I know does. Funny in all my kids years of school, there really hasn't been a problem.

 

[ljcrochet]

Yikes.
Here is how Sharpie says to get out stains

The successful stain removal of ink stains differs from case to case because of the many types of fabrics, colors, inks and time elapsed before stain removal. We cannot guarantee stain removal since many variables can be involved. Testing first is always recommended as well as following both the stain remover and clothing manufacturer's instructions. Following these steps should result in partial or complete removal. General Rules:

1) Treat stains as soon as possible. Fresh stains can be removed more easily than old ones.
2) Check manufacturer's labels as to fabric content and any special instructions.
3) Always test stain removal solution first on a hidden part of the article or on swatch of fabric taken from seam allowance to insure no color loss or damage will occur.
4) Where possible, lay stained article face down on paper towels or clean white cloth and apply stain removal solution to underside of stain so that stain can be removed from the surface instead of pushing it through the fabric. Replace towels or cloth as they absorb stain to prevent stain transfer.
5) If enlisting the aid of a professional laundry or dry cleaner, be sure to indicate what the stain is and the type of fabric.
6) Do not iron stained garments or put in dryer as this may set stain.

* Also try AMODEX STAIN REMOVER for permanent ink: Amodex Products, P.O. Box 3332, Bridgeport, CT 06605, Phone203) 335-1255 or go to http://www.amodexink.com/

 

[crazyme5kids]

I understand why you are upset, but from the teacher's point of view, the names need to be on the outside where the teacher can easily see who the backpack belongs to. With 22 kindergarteners in the class, the teacher doesn't have the time to open 22 back packs to look for names. You might be surprised how many kids can't remember which pack is theirs.

Many years ago when I taught 1st grade, I had a student bring a Velcro wallet to school as that was a popular thing at that time. His wallet was plain blue with no identifying marks. I wrote the kids name on the inside of the wallet with a Sharpie so that when he lost it on the playground someone might be more likely to return it. Guess what happened? That afternoon, the parent called the principal to complain and I had to attend a meeting with the parent and the principal all because the parent didn't label the kids belongings as she was supposed to do, but whose's fault was it? Mine of course. In private the principal agreed that I didn't do anything wrong, but in front of the parent, it was all me.

That single incident really changed how I viewed teaching in public school.

And you know what? Had that wallet not been labeled, that parent would have blamed you if the wallet did get lost. You were in a catch 22 situation. Damned if you do, damned if you don't.

 

[chloelovesdisney]

I like names embroidered on backpacks and lunchbags, not written in Sharpie.

 

[lucyanna girl]

We teach our children it is wrong to deface other people's property by writing on it. Should adults not abide by the same rule?

Yes, I am aware this is a teacher but it is still wrong in my book.

Good luck OP, and I too would be calling after this second incident.

Penny

 

[sam_gordon]

WELL......I guess since she noticed the name was coming off the front of the backpack (I was scrubbing so hard to get off) she decided to write on the backpack A SECOND TIME!!! Putting it in a different place. So now I have one backpack with 2 names written on it poorly!!! I'm sure she decided to do this before we called her.

NOW I don't have a problem contacting the principal.

 

[declansdad]

Wow. I have a lot of respect for teachers and the job they do. It isn't easy for sure. But this type of thing would put me over the edge. I'd be visiting the principal on Monday morning. Keep us posted OP. Can't wait to hear how this turns out.

I agree with you. My wife, who is a teacher, is sitting here shaking her head as I tell her the latest edition of this story.

 

[sunshinehighway]

NOW I don't have a problem contacting the principal.

Right, Now. The situation has changed because they talked to the teacher and she failed to mention she had written on it again.

 

[torinsmom]

As a teacher, I agree that items need to be labeled. However, that is the parents' job, not mine. If I had a parent who didn't label and it was causing a problem, I would send home a note, and as a last resort, I would buy some cheap luggage tags to put the child's name on and attach them to the backpack or lunchbox. IME, lunch boxes are more of a problem, because there seem to be duplicates in the classroom and they are on shelf together instead of in the child's labeled cubby.

As far as going to the principal, it is our school's policy to contact the teacher with any problem. If it can't be resolved, the principal will hear complaints. She always asks if the parents have talked to the teacher before she meets with them. The main reason is that what we hear from our kids isn't necessarily the truth, but their version of the truth. I have had quite a few angry parents who felt pretty stupid when they found out the actual truth Another reason is that the principal has a lot of important tasks to attend to, and she doesn't have time to hear about little Tommy feeling sad that Ms. T gave little Sally a green folder and he got the ugly black one. And believe me, I have parents that would complain about something like that.