Writing names on backpacks?

[Mickey'snewestfan]

Did the backpacks match? Not that it excuses what the teacher did but matching backpacks, shoes, jackets can be challenging to a teacher.

 

[Shutterbug]

Its not the teachers property, she had no right to to do anything to it.

Whats wrong with putting like a luggage tag on it somewhere?

 

[Coconut36]

So she wrote the name on there again AFTER you spoke with her about it? In that case I would be having a meeting with the Principal ASAP!

I have my 2nd in Kinder right now and nobody has insisted on scrawling names on the outside of backpacks for either kid (his name is written inside) although after this post it did catch my eye that some parents did write first/last name AND room number on their kids backpacks (since the writing varies, the room numbers were different and there were only a few I am 99% sure it was parents taking it upon themselves to do this). Ours are also very nice L.L. Bean backpacks so I would not take it well (we also pass packpacks and other items down and I don't want something with one kids name on it like that).

OP...L.L. Bean has a fabulous policy regarding their backpacks as I understand it...even though the issue isn't theirs you might call and explain the issue and see if they can/will replace it for you.

 

[sam_gordon]

we also pass packpacks and other items down and I don't want something with one kids name on it like that

Can someone explain this to me? Your Kindergartner gets a new backpack, uses it for the school year. It's still in good shape at the end of the year. So you hand the backpack down to another child and the (now) 1st grader gets a new one?

I understand if a HS gets a new backpack, uses it for four years, then passes it down. But we're not talking about a teacher marking a FRESHMEN'S bag. We're talking about a kindergartner. Do you really anticipate handing down the bag in 13 years?

I'm not asking this to be argumentative, I just don't get it.

 

[Coconut36]

Can someone explain this to me? Your Kindergartner gets a new backpack, uses it for the school year. It's still in good shape at the end of the year. So you hand the backpack down to another child and the (now) 1st grader gets a new one?

I understand if a HS gets a new backpack, uses it for four years, then passes it down. But we're not talking about a teacher marking a FRESHMEN'S bag. We're talking about a kindergartner. Do you really anticipate handing down the bag in 13 years?

I'm not asking this to be argumentative, I just don't get it.

What's to get? Yes it is possible that it will go to the next child. Last year in preschool my youngest used the backpack his brother used a prior year (Kinder). This year they both got new ones despite everything being in great shape. I also have a niece with a child just a couple years younger than mine who gets a lot of my kids stuff..I would prefer it be free of names to pass down.

Sometimes for us passing it down depends on the shape it is in, the style it is in (remember what Kinder might have for their backpack style might not be "cool" for a 2nd or 3rd grader..so as an example the Kinder child might get the same backpack their sibling used at that age..and if in good enough shape might pass to the next kid in the family to use at that age and so on), amount of use it will get and so on. I would hope that if something is in crappy shape it wouldn't be passed down to a younger sibling/family member so of course it is items that are in good shape that are passed on to the next kid. My Mom was one of 4 girls..you can bet that plenty of what she had/used was previously one of her 2 older sisters items and that if that item was in good enough shape it passed down to the 4th girl as well.

Is it so uncommon to pass things on to another child or to other children in the family? Heck I just gave 2 years and seasons worth of clothing to my best friends sister for her child. As he gets older I will likely offer things like back packs or other items and get my kids a new one.

I also didn't buy my Kindergarten a back pack that I planned for them to be using until they graduate from high school for goodness sake. Why would I do that? Tastes and interests change over time..that way if it is NOT labeled it can then go on to another child (either a sibling or family member) to be used until they outgrow it. That way items get well used but a child isn't locked into a certain backpack until they are seniors in high school. I got a new one more often than not and my old ones passed to a younger cousin. Maybe it's just the way my family works?

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

Can someone explain this to me? Your Kindergartner gets a new backpack, uses it for the school year. It's still in good shape at the end of the year. So you hand the backpack down to another child and the (now) 1st grader gets a new one?

I understand if a HS gets a new backpack, uses it for four years, then passes it down. But we're not talking about a teacher marking a FRESHMEN'S bag. We're talking about a kindergartner. Do you really anticipate handing down the bag in 13 years?

I'm not asking this to be argumentative, I just don't get it.

A backpack suitable for a Kindergartener isn't going to fit a high schooler's load of books, sports equipment etc . . . When the child needs a new backpack, why not hand it down if it's in good condition?

 

[ilovejack02]

I would be upset too. MY ds 10 has used the same jansport back pack since 1rst grade. I hate character stuff , so Im the mean Momma that bought a plain jane one . He is in 5th now and it still looks great . It was really to big for him in 1rst but now fits all his gear and prob still will be fine for middle school. I almost bought him a new one this year, but he really didn't care and I decided to get him the awesome shoes he liked , instead of what was on sale.
If it had his name scribbled on it , no way I would make him carry it all these years. I will buy him a new one for new school next year, but if this one is still good he can use for sleepovers, plane rides etc.

I still have the one the Jansport I used in Sr year and college . It says I love Jason in sharpie . so it isn't used in public , it holds hubby hunting stuff in closet , but if it wasn't all scribbled on , we could use it. Silly me, I can hardly remember who Jason is anymore LOL.

Talk to the principal now since 2nd incident , but I would prob not worry about getting the money back, just making sure teacher doesn't do this again or to anyone else.

 

[DISshopkeeper]

I can't even wrap my head around someone taking a sharpie to a BRAND NEW backpack that belonged to someone else. Teacher or not. Just plain WRONG.

She owes you 2 backpacks.

 

[lovetoscrap]

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/

Absolutely get some of this to try. DH is a fountain pen aficionado and this stuff has been amazing at getting ink stains out of all sorts of things.

 

[okeydokey]

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!!!

This is unbelievable. I cannot believe after being told not to do it, she did it again. I would at this point contact her and the principal and suggest a meeting time to discuss the teacher's lack of respect for personal property. How would she like you taking a sharpie and writing her name on her brand new purse or sweater?

 

[bigbabyblues]

Can someone explain this to me? Your Kindergartner gets a new backpack, uses it for the school year. It's still in good shape at the end of the year. So you hand the backpack down to another child and the (now) 1st grader gets a new one?

I understand if a HS gets a new backpack, uses it for four years, then passes it down. But we're not talking about a teacher marking a FRESHMEN'S bag. We're talking about a kindergartner. Do you really anticipate handing down the bag in 13 years?

I'm not asking this to be argumentative, I just don't get it.

When my oldest went to kindergarten, we got him an LL Bean backpack. I wasn't thinking long term, and he got one with lizards all over it. When he got to second or maybe third grade, he wanted a plain one because it was "for a little kid" in his terms. We passed it down to DS2 who was starting kindergarten, knowing it would happen again, but at the time, he liked it. Last year, it was passed on to their cousin and DS2 got a plain one.

 

[Mkrop]

When my oldest went to kindergarten, we got him an LL Bean backpack. I wasn't thinking long term, and he got one with lizards all over it. When he got to second or maybe third grade, he wanted a plain one because it was "for a little kid" in his terms. We passed it down to DS2 who was starting kindergarten, knowing it would happen again, but at the time, he liked it. Last year, it was passed on to their cousin and DS2 got a plain one.

Or even from a size standpoint, you might do handmedowns. You order one of the smaller backpacks for you Ker in plain blue, but then in 3rd or 4th grade they start bringing home more textbooks, well than the small backpack goes to the younger child and you get the older one a bigger backpack in plain green etc etc etc.

 

[java]

I would be mad. If she was having identification issues- send a note home to parents and alert them to the problem. Then bring in a roll of electrical tape or masking tape- and tape it on the bag- write on the tape. What if you wanted to hand the bag down to a younger sibling next year?

My boys use backpacks for more than one year. And often the younger wants to use the older's backpack. I would be surprised if you were the only parent complaining.

If she had already done it a second time prior to talking to your husband she should have mentioned it.

 

[CathrynRose]

I'm in the "I'd be mad crowd" and have my own disfigured backpack story.

My oldest wanted a Power Rangers backpack. I could not, for the love of God, find one locally. I ordered one off eBay. (it ended up coming maybe 3 days after school started)

In the interim, I let my son use my Sebastian (hair product) backpack, that was specifically for products. It was a snazzy bag, super sturdy and heavy duty, cool metallic silver, with black accents - little slots for brushes, shears, etc. His back pack from last year (also a cheapie character one) had seen better days and I knew the Power Rangers backpack was on it's way - no big deal, right? Wrong...

First flipping day - the teacher went to each student and had them write their name on their bag. My son even said - this isn't mine, my mom 's letting me borrow it until mine comes. Too bad, so sad.

So in lovely 3rd grade handwriting - I have "MY SON'S FIRST AND LAST NAME" also in Sharpie, on my (was) cool Sebastian backpack.

And to add insult to injury, I even hung one of those luggage tags from it, with his name. So, it WAS marked clearly with his name.

I'm still pissed about it, and my son is 21.

 

[sam_gordon]

What's to get? Yes it is possible that it will go to the next child. Last year in preschool my youngest used the backpack his brother used a prior year (Kinder). This year they both got new ones despite everything being in great shape. I also have a niece with a child just a couple years younger than mine who gets a lot of my kids stuff..I would prefer it be free of names to pass down.

Sometimes for us passing it down depends on the shape it is in, the style it is in (remember what Kinder might have for their backpack style might not be "cool" for a 2nd or 3rd grader..so as an example the Kinder child might get the same backpack their sibling used at that age..and if in good enough shape might pass to the next kid in the family to use at that age and so on), amount of use it will get and so on. I would hope that if something is in crappy shape it wouldn't be passed down to a younger sibling/family member so of course it is items that are in good shape that are passed on to the next kid. My Mom was one of 4 girls..you can bet that plenty of what she had/used was previously one of her 2 older sisters items and that if that item was in good enough shape it passed down to the 4th girl as well.

Is it so uncommon to pass things on to another child or to other children in the family? Heck I just gave 2 years and seasons worth of clothing to my best friends sister for her child. As he gets older I will likely offer things like back packs or other items and get my kids a new one.

I also didn't buy my Kindergarten a back pack that I planned for them to be using until they graduate from high school for goodness sake. Why would I do that? Tastes and interests change over time..that way if it is NOT labeled it can then go on to another child (either a sibling or family member) to be used until they outgrow it. That way items get well used but a child isn't locked into a certain backpack until they are seniors in high school. I got a new one more often than not and my old ones passed to a younger cousin. Maybe it's just the way my family works?

OK, now I AM picking on you. I asked a simple question because I wanted to know the answer. I get attitude (see the bolded). I never said never hand down anything, that's something you dreamed up on your own.

All I needed was one example (or two) of where a kindergarten backpack gets reused. Sort of what other parts of your post did along with these...

A backpack suitable for a Kindergartener isn't going to fit a high schooler's load of books, sports equipment etc . . . When the child needs a new backpack, why not hand it down if it's in good condition?

When my oldest went to kindergarten, we got him an LL Bean backpack. I wasn't thinking long term, and he got one with lizards all over it. When he got to second or maybe third grade, he wanted a plain one because it was "for a little kid" in his terms. We passed it down to DS2 who was starting kindergarten, knowing it would happen again, but at the time, he liked it. Last year, it was passed on to their cousin and DS2 got a plain one.

Thank you both.

 

[sam_gordon]

I cannot believe after being told not to do it, she did it again.

I would like to point out that we don't know she wrote the second time after being told "not to". It's probable she wrote the second time before talking to DH. Yes, I agree the principal should be contacted. I think the teacher should have seen the OPs attempt to erase the name the first time and asked before doing the second time.

 

[Coconut36]

OK, now I AM picking on you. I asked a simple question because I wanted to know the answer. I get attitude (see the bolded). I never said never hand down anything, that's something you dreamed up on your own.

All I needed was one example (or two) of where a kindergarten backpack gets reused. Sort of what other parts of your post did along with these...




Thank you both.

And I gave you a simple answer. You acted like it was odd or impossible for a backpack for a Kinder child to be passed down and then implied that a backpack bought in Kinder should/would be used through senior year in high school..something that seems utterly unrealistic to me even for the best of back packs.

 

[Disney Doll]

I would be upset too. MY ds 10 has used the same jansport back pack since 1rst grade. I hate character stuff , so Im the mean Momma that bought a plain jane one . He is in 5th now and it still looks great . It was really to big for him in 1rst but now fits all his gear and prob still will be fine for middle school. I almost bought him a new one this year, but he really didn't care and I decided to get him the awesome shoes he liked , instead of what was on sale.
If it had his name scribbled on it , no way I would make him carry it all these years. I will buy him a new one for new school next year, but if this one is still good he can use for sleepovers, plane rides etc.

I still have the one the Jansport I used in Sr year and college . It says I love Jason in sharpie . so it isn't used in public , it holds hubby hunting stuff in closet , but if it wasn't all scribbled on , we could use it. Silly me, I can hardly remember who Jason is anymore LOL.

Talk to the principal now since 2nd incident , but I would prob not worry about getting the money back, just making sure teacher doesn't do this again or to anyone else.

Poor Jason....and yet you loved him once.

 

[Keli]

I would be seriously frustrated right now with that teacher. But I think I would probably let it go since dh has now talked to her and it's not likely to happen again. It's just a shame they didn't let him talk to her in the morning before she had time to write their names on there a second time!

 

[sbell111]

... This morning I was vigorously trying to scrub the name off one of the back packs. ...

... I was scrubbing so hard to get off ...

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!!!

Remember when several posters said to blot, not scrub? I guess not.