Writing names on backpacks?

[sam_gordon]

Since this was a kindergarten class I would think the school would make sure the parents would know this was an issue and items would be labeled if necessary. You can't assume that the parents had children that had attended the school in the past.

And we don't know that the word didn't get passed but the OP just missed it.

 

[declansdad]

And we don't know that the word didn't get passed but the OP just missed it.

First day of school and you don't think they would cut some slack, come on!!

 

[Imzadi]

Either way, it doesn't seem like a huge deal. Try rubbing alcohol and/or hairspray to get if off, buy some type of sticker or patch to put over the name, have a discussion with the teacher about it. Ranting about kidnappers and demanding payment for the backpack is a bit much and a good way to set yourself up as being "that parent" before the first week of school is finished.

I have had fabric backpacks get permanent marker on them.It's called permament for a reason...it didn't come off, at all.

Actually hairspray or rubbing alcohol works quite well to dissolve the permanent markers. Permanent markers are made to resist water, but they are alcohol based. So more alcohol breaks down the "permanent" factors.

Just carefully squirt a little hairspray or rubbing alcohol on, (not so much that it runs & spreads all over,) and wait 10-20 seconds and you will actually see the Sharpie marker literally dissolving. (Try it on a corner.) Then use a paper towel or something really absorbent and start DABBING like crazy. Do NOT rub, as that will spread the marker and push it into the fabric. You want to dissolve, dab, absorb and lift. It may take many rounds of spraying and dabbing to fully LIFT off the marker. Change the paper towel frequently.

Since the backpack is a high-quality LL Bean backpack, hopefully it is made with a water-resistant & stain resistant material, so it might be easier to lift off the marker.


For the cynics who don't believe that permanent marker can be made "un-permanent," here are two links where clothes are purposely are sprayed with rubbing alcohol to dissolve and move around the Sharpie markers to create art scarves. (They don't DAB and use a lot of alcohol to purposely spread the markers, turning them into dyes.) I've been wanting to do this for an art class, but Googling, Sharpies are notorious for coming OUT when you DON'T want them to. Many people who have had clothes autographed and had the Sharpies fade over time, will attest to them not being fully permanent.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYr4SK9L79I

http://www.stevespanglerscience.com/experiment/sharpiepenscience

There are also plenty of YouTube art videos where people have sprayed alcohol onto their Sharpies in paper or canvas and had the Sharpies purposely run & spread for effects, then become re-permanent when dried again.

 

[luvmy3]

But don't the "merits of labeling items" factor into the discussion? Some people (including the teacher apparently) think everything should be labeled. That's discussion number 1. The spin off of this (call it 1a) is whether, assuming everything needs to be labeled, the teacher should have been the one to label.

Discussion number 2 is how upset to be over this. Some have sounded like they want the teacher fired over this. Others (me included) don't think it's that big a deal.

BTW, OP, how do you know the teacher used a Sharpie? Is it possible they used a washable marker?

(to the bolded) IMO, no. Its pretty much a given that items should be labeled, and if a parent doesn't label their child's backpack in a way that the teacher wants, they needs to inform them instead of taking it upon themself to do it in a permanent way. (I understand the sharpie may be able to be removed) but its clear the intent of the teacher was to make it permanent.
What if it was the brother's backpack the kid was using just for that day? A note home is what should have happened, not a defaced backpack, or in the Op's case, 2 of them.

I don't think anyone has said the teacher should be fired, but she should be told that there is a problem with what she did. I also think the Principal should also be informed of what happened, because it involved personal property. Its not like a pencil or a notebook that is going to be sitting in the classroom all year. While I don't think the teacher should be reprimanded, I think she needs to be told to change the way she does the labeling and how she communicates with the parents about it.

 

[sam_gordon]

First day of school and you don't think they would cut some slack, come on!!

You're right! Fire the teacher!

Good gravy, someone suggested asking the teacher why she did what she did, but apparently that's a bad idea.

 

[sam_gordon]

(to the bolded) IMO, no. Its pretty much a given that items should be labeled, and if a parent doesn't label their child's backpack in a way that the teacher wants, they needs to inform them instead of taking it upon themself to do it in a permanent way. (I understand the sharpie may be able to be removed) but its clear the intent of the teacher was to make it permanent.
What if it was the brother's backpack the kid was using just for that day? A note home is what should have happened, not a defaced backpack, or in the Op's case, 2 of them.

I don't think anyone has said the teacher should be fired, but she should be told that there is a problem with what she did. I also think the Principal should also be informed of what happened, because it involved personal property. Its not like a pencil or a notebook that is going to be sitting in the classroom all year. While I don't think the teacher should be reprimanded, I think she needs to be told to change the way she does the labeling and how she communicates with the parents about it.

I agree with what I bolded (sort of). I think the OP could let the teacher know they weren't happy with her actions, why they weren't happy, and what should be done in similar situations in the future. I just don't think this judgement mistake needs to outside of the "parent-teacher" circle.

 

[luvmy3]

I agree with what I bolded (sort of). I think the OP could let the teacher know they weren't happy with her actions, why they weren't happy, and what should be done in similar situations in the future. I just don't think this judgement mistake needs to outside of the "parent-teacher" circle.

I do because as a parent I wouldn't be the one to tell a teacher they need to change something. I can suggest it, but its not my place to tell them to do it, that is the Principal's. In this case, I think its something that definitely needs to be changed, not just suggested to be changed by a concerned parent.

 

[sam_gordon]

I do because as a parent I wouldn't be the one to tell a teacher they need to change something. I can suggest it, but its not my place to tell them to do it, that is the Principal's. In this case, I think its something that definitely needs to be changed, not just suggested to be changed by a concerned parent.

Then we disagree. I'm willing to wager a dole whip that if a parent politely explained why they were upset, the teacher wouldn't do it again.

 

[declansdad]

You're right! Fire the teacher!

Good gravy, someone suggested asking the teacher why she did what she did, but apparently that's a bad idea.

I never said fire the teacher, don't put words in my mouth.

 

[sam_gordon]

I never said fire the teacher, don't put words in my mouth.

I didn't say you did. You all have convinced me... this teacher overstepped her bounds so much, she has no business being in charge of kids. Kick her to the curb! Make sure the local media is notified... they love doing stories on this.

 

[declansdad]

I didn't say you did. You all have convinced me... this teacher overstepped her bounds so much, she has no business being in charge of kids. Kick her to the curb! Make sure the local media is notified... they love doing stories on this.

Overeact much. No one said fire her or go to the media. The most anyone has said is that the teacher or school should replace the bags.

 

[Coconut36]

I do because as a parent I wouldn't be the one to tell a teacher they need to change something. I can suggest it, but its not my place to tell them to do it, that is the Principal's. In this case, I think its something that definitely needs to be changed, not just suggested to be changed by a concerned parent.

But teachers do listen and they are intelligent enough in most cases to realize when they get upset parents/complaints they need to change their policy. Do you think they get some kind of joy in getting complaints?

I am not sure in this instance I believe the Principal is warranted either as I don't feel like it needs to initially go beyond the parent/teacher discussion. If the teacher was resistant or insistent on what they were doing only then would I involve the Principal. If they were receptive, understanding and indicated they planned to change their policy then I think it is fine. Teachers are professional adults and deserve to be treated as such..part of that is having a discussion with them about your concerns and issues and only if you don't get resolution do you escalate.

 

[AndreaDM]

So is the LL Bean ad for backpacks showing up for anyone else at the top of the page as well? Too funny!

 

[Sanchez]

Overeact much. No one said fire her or go to the media. The most anyone has said is that the teacher or school should replace the bags.

Well, some did say involve the principal. And some seem to think it necessary to be angry while complaining to the teacher and/or principal.

 

[sunshinehighway]

But teachers do listen and they are intelligent enough in most cases to realize when they get upset parents/complaints they need to change their policy. Do you think they get some kind of joy in getting complaints?

I am not sure in this instance I believe the Principal is warranted either as I don't feel like it needs to initially go beyond the parent/teacher discussion. If the teacher was resistant or insistent on what they were doing only then would I involve the Principal. If they were receptive, understanding and indicated they planned to change their policy then I think it is fine. Teachers are professional adults and deserve to be treated as such..part of that is having a discussion with them about your concerns and issues and only if you don't get resolution do you escalate.

Exactly. Parents and teachers need to be able to communicate. If a parent runs to the principal the first time they have a problem with a teacher (especially on the first day of school) that line of communication is going to be difficult for the rest of the school year.

 

[sunshinehighway]

So is the LL Bean ad for backpacks showing up for anyone else at the top of the page as well? Too funny!

built for adventures
like the first day of school

 

[Anjelica]

The worry about names being on things is really nothing to get overly excited about. It is better to teach them to just not go with anyone, which I hope by kindergarten they do know. If someone wants to learn their name it is pretty easy since people say their name out loud constantly.

My Kids Kindergarten teacher did things like that also, if something didn't have their name on it, she would write it on. And she had been teaching approximately 20 yrs when they had her.

This - it isn't like they won't be able to figure out my kids name when I am yelling at them, etc.

I WOULD be upset the teacher wrote on the backpacks in permanent sharpie - that's not cool.

 

[Erin1700]

Overeact much. No one said fire her or go to the media. The most anyone has said is that the teacher or school should replace the bags.

I agree. The teacher should have used a removable tag if she needed the kids name on it RIGHT NOW.

 

[sam_gordon]

Overeact much. No one said fire her or go to the media. The most anyone has said is that the teacher or school should replace the bags.

But don't you see? Me and others think going to the principal and asking for the backpacks to be replaced is overreacting.

 

[onescgirl]

I would have been very upset about writing with a sharpie on my kids backpack, but not because of the danger, just the ruining of the backpack.
LL Bean backpacks are expensive and what if you wanted to pass it down to younger sibling or relative or consign it? It's ruined now.
She should have requested every parent to have their backpacks labeled and then you could have put a name tag on it. I always put name tags on my kids backpacks & lunch boxes.
If she needed to put names on the bags on the 1st day, she should have done it with tape.
I would just request from her, in a VERY nice way, that you would not like for any more of your children's belongings to be written on with a permanent marker. You don't want to start the year off wrong with her, but she should be made aware that she is damaging the product.