The Backpack that Died & Apology Letters

Dad gave me a backpack about seven years ago when we were going to Switzerland together.  I've carried it on many trips since then.  About two years ago the zipper on the front organizer pocket broke.  I finally decided to try and get the company to give me a new one since I saw they have a lifetime warranty.  So I've been in correspondence with them for about two months, emailing pictures and then more pictures (at their request)...etc.  My latest correspondence with them said that I should pick four different choices of backpack I would like from their website, and they'd decide which one they could send.  However, I had to cut a hole 3x5" in my backpack around the insignia and send a picture of that so that they'd know I couldn't use it again and it was being disposed of.  Below are the pictures of that.  Kind of a hard thing to do for someone who is basically thrifty.  I sure hope they send me a new one soon!

                      

                      

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Last week on Friday at the end of the day, I had a first grade class in for their usual library time.  I was reading frog stories to them for about a month now and using that topic to jump off into a very brief introduction to basic reference resources (You know--looking up "amphibian" in the dictionary and encyclopedia, etc.).  I wanted to show them something on the screen so I had them sit in a different part of the library than usual.  That meant I would be talking to them from behind their backs while using my computer to show them the library website.  On top of that, they had a substitute.  Well, after numerous attempts to get them quiet and focused, I sent them back to their classroom without getting books.  They were in shock and very remorseful.  About a half hour several representatives arrived back with a handful of apology notes.  Here is a little sampling: (I have a feeling the substitute put some key vocabulary words for their notes on the board for them to think about using.:)

"Ms. Garber, I am sorry for making bad choices.... Do you forgive me? I was derepestful."

            

"Dear Mis garbre, I am sorry because I made shado bunny pupets (in the light of the projector--always a huge temptation when using the projector!). I put my hed down (back in the class on his desk)." The happy gift of this one is
that I may "smell" the spot where this student
used a fragrant marker! (Though I was a little nervous to "smell" at first.  
What if it were a bad trick?!)

                  

This one speaks nicely for itself, including the self-lined paper.

                   

Abdullah wanted to fill the paper so included, "Sooorry!!! Sorry Sorry!!! SORRY."
However, I think he did do a nice job!

                   

This was one of my favorites from Bethany:  "miSS Gardir, I'm sorry I did not mean to tak. library is my favearite subact and that is wie I'm riting tise latter I'm going to not tak nast class.  I'm goin to tell my parins and sit in timaot.  Sinserale Bethany

               

We have a school-wide postal system called Wee Deliver.  Students are encouraged to write to fellow students or staff, put it in the post office box in the lobby, and then once a week a team of students distribute the mail.  It all has to be addressed correctly to the classroom and with a return address and stamp (drawn or any sticker) or it is returned to sender.
So this is what I created and sent back to the first grade class.
I hope they liked and understood mine as much as I liked and cherished theirs. :)