Update: WWYD---Preschool related

So my 3-year-old went to her first day of school on Monday. Everything went great! This is her 2nd year attending the school. Yesterday she came home with her name written in huge, black permanent letters written on the top of her backpack. Apparently, they are labeling everyone's things. My thinking is that they should have asked me to label her items. Now I have a brand new backpack with her name written in marker for the whole world to see. I guess my first issue is one of safety----do I want everyone knowing my child's name? Um...no! They have also damaged the backpack---couldn't they have put the name in a more discrete spot??

So my question is would you say something? She has school tomorrow and I want to say something. Will they think I am nuts??

UPDATE 9/18: So I spoke to the teacher and she apologized up and down. She said they always do that and parents don't say anything. I told her that I would probably get a new backpack or try to put an applique over her name. Again she was very apologetic.

Then when I picked up DD the teacher said that she spoke to the owner. The owner was also very sorry that I was upset by what they did. She said to give her the receipt after I purchase a new backpack and she will deduct it from our tuition. And they promised never to write on her things again. I was just that no one else had a problem with what they did.

Message edited 9/18/2009 7:17:28 PM.

Re: WWYD---Preschool related

I would say something. It's definitely not their place. If they were doing something like that, they should have asked or asked you to get a distinguishing feature on your backpack.

I don't have anything labeled with my child's name on the outside - just monograms.

If it's a Lands End backpack, you can return it at the end of the year

Re: WWYD---Preschool related

I agree that they should have asked you or put a note into her backpack to label it. I would be upset as well.

Re: WWYD---Preschool related

I agree with the other moms, they should of said something to you first! I would of been also!

I would say something to them!

Re: WWYD---Preschool related

Have they asked you in any way to label the bag before? If not, I would be upset, but knowing me, I would not say anything.

Re: WWYD---Preschool related

I'd definitely be annoyed but I probably wouldn't say anything.

If you do say something, say it in a nice way that in the future you will label and please note write in marker on DC's items.

Message edited 9/17/2009 3:39:09 PM.

Re: WWYD---Preschool related

I'd definately say something. That's not right to do without warning parents.

But I'd be the one to show up and write the names of the teachers on their cars. It's only fair!

Re: WWYD---Preschool related

I would definitely say something. DD just started daycare and I purchased small labels that could be hidden to identify her stuff, specifically because I HATE the black magic marker thing. It would make me nuts, especially on something brand new.

Message edited 9/17/2009 3:47:58 PM.

Re: WWYD---Preschool related

Sorry, I'm Crashing, but-

I wanted to say that my friend has been a preschool teacher for years and she would never ever let anyone label the outside of a child's backpack! She tells the parents at orientation to put small labels on the inside. It's very very dangerous to have a child's name on the outside of their stuff. She even yelled at her sister for doing it!

Anyone could see it and say "Hey, Sally! your mom told me to pick you up today!" or something like that. Kids assume if someone knows their name, then they are not strangers.

Re: WWYD---Preschool related

Id be ****** bc it was on a brand new bag but I wouldnt mention that....what I would DEFINITELY say something about is how ABSOLUTELY IRRESPONSIBLE AND DANGEROUS it is to have a childs name on their bag. Id also go to the school director. Its a safety issue, so you have every right to complain about it.

Re: WWYD---Preschool related

I would be upset- and it's weird that they didnt' ask you.

DD's preschool asked us to label- and I labeled the backside by DD's tush...

Re: WWYD---Preschool related

I think you should say something. As you said, it is a safety issue and they need to be aware of that so they don't do it in the future. As for writing it without your permission, I would kindly say that you would have preferred they say something to you first and that if they need something to be done to consult you first in the future.

Re: WWYD---Preschool related

1/ Majorly pi$$ed off that someone "RUINED" a brand new backpack (I have major OCD when it comes to this stuff).

2/ Major safety issue

3/ You were lucky she did not have to have a nametag and you forgot it. They may have use the marker on her clothes or forehead.


WHO does that? Write a note to the parents that everything, included bags must be labeled!

Re: WWYD---Preschool related

I would say something. When I was a preschool teacher we would always ask parents to label the inside of the childs backpack. And if they forgot, we still wouldn't write in on the inside- you never know if they will use it for a younger sibling or whatever, and plus it's not their bag to write on!

Re: WWYD---Preschool related

I think you have right to be annoyed and to say something but is saying something going to resolve anything at this point? Probably not. The only thing it may do is make them think again before doing it next year and with any other items you may send in.

Re: WWYD---Preschool related

Thanks for all of your insights. I wanted to make sure that it just wasn't me over-reacting. I am going to talk to the owner tomorrow (it's a small private preschool) and see what she has to say. As was mentioned by many of you, I will say it nicely. As an aside, my DH told me that ours was not the only bag written on but it didn't really bother him. And nothing was ever said about labeling their items----she attended there last school year and they never wrote on her backpack or asked me to label it.

Re: WWYD---Preschool related

I would defianately say something. I would be really mad.

Re: Update: WWYD---Preschool related

Bumping for update

Re: Update: WWYD---Preschool related

I am glad you said something and while I agree its crazy no one else had a problem, perhaps they will think twice next time!

Re: Update: WWYD---Preschool related

did she say anything is regards to how dangerous it was to have a childs name written like that on their backpack? Nevermind just writing on it......

Re: Update: WWYD---Preschool related

I'm surprised no one else had a problem with it either. But I'm glad they will reimburse you, it's the right thing to do.

Re: Update: WWYD---Preschool related

Re: Update: WWYD---Preschool related

Re: Update: WWYD---Preschool related

Dawn, good for you. I'd be URRRRR, that's ridiculous that a) they'd do it in magic marker right out in the open & 2) w/o asking you

Are they now stopping this policy?

D, can you fm me where she's going..we're considering sending DD next year (if times/hours/days would work w/ nannny/daddy dropping off/picking up).