Home | How It Works | Stats Login | Register         Go Back                 Case Posted on February 26, 2017 8:51 pm Add to Favorites eHebah Reps: 210 Caught Red Handed In my Kindergarten class I have an area with various toys for students to play with during their free time. I noticed that one little boy, we will call him Drew enjoyed playing with the match box cars. I only had a few and noticed that they kept going missing. Now, I thought they were somewhere in the classroom and they would turn up but in the mean time, I went out and purchased a few more boxes of cars. Now, when Drew was leaving I went to give him a hug goodbye and noticed his pockets were full. I asked what he had. He refused to answer. His mom took the match box cars out of his pocket. I spoke to Drew and said that I just bought those cars for the classroom and they had to stay in the class. The parent said jumped in and said I was mistaken and they are his cars.. ( they are not) ..and became angry at me. Fast forward, now I have no cars in the classroom because they all "disappeared"... Help?                 Submit a Possible Solution Please read response(s) below (if any) before posting your solution.                 Solution 1 Posted July 3, 2017 7:39 pm ynaHah Reps: 100 I would recommend that you write your name on the bottom of the car with a permanent marker. So next time this happens you can show the angry parent that they are yours.. Votes: +79 / -1 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Kathy Allen Reps: 200 It is a good idea to put your name on the things you wish to keep and reuse in other classrooms.   Posted on: February 23, 2018 8:03 pm WeDyje Reps: 100 this is a fantastic idea.   Posted on: July 6, 2018 11:17 pm ePuzej Reps: 200 This is an excellent idea. If the student brings some home that have your name on them, then you continue the conversation further with the parent with evidence that those are your cars.   Posted on: February 18, 2019 7:00 pm buQyme Reps: 115 This is a great idea, I think that this is a good way to keep track of everything that you bought for the classroom.   Posted on: February 20, 2019 7:18 pm Joseph Scharfschwerdt Reps: 103 I like this solution. The parent will have no right to argue then.   Posted on: February 25, 2019 4:15 am vyBesy Reps: 101 This is something that I would definitely do! I think this is a great idea.   Posted on: October 17, 2019 3:21 pm yhedyZ Reps: 205 I think this is an awesome solution!   Posted on: March 1, 2021 12:40 am Add a Comment                 Solution 2 Posted July 8, 2017 5:53 pm eLaGag Reps: 202 I've seen this happen quite a few times, both when I was in school and when I'm working with children. Parents know they aren't their child's toys, but are too embarrassed to admit that their child has been stealing. I would show your receipt for the toys to prove they really are yours and that it's okay if he would like to play with them, but only within the classroom. You don't want the parent to feel attacked, they know they're in the wrong but just don't want to admit it. Give them a chance to escape their lie with a "Oh, I had no idea!". Then, I would always recommend writing your name on all of the toys and other items within you classroom to prevent a future mishap. If you also would like the previous toy cars returned, I would ask the parent or send a letter home asking to speak with them. That way you can explain the situation, that you are not angry, but simply would like the toys you paid for out of pocket returned to you. They are meant for all the students to play with. Votes: +21 / -0 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution nuXuma Reps: 100 I think a letter home is a good idea, some way to get the parent to come talk to you so you can explain the situation better in a more calming environment. So the parent can fully understand that you aren't mad but you would like the toys that you paid for back and for them to stay in the classroom for all the students to enjoy. Everyone says to label the toys and that would prevent this from happening again.   Posted on: October 19, 2019 2:45 pm Add a Comment                 Solution 3 Posted March 2, 2017 10:13 pm Lynn Krivoruchka Reps: 295 As the other student mentioned I would show a receipt to prove they are yours. You can also, as I have seen in some classrooms, that the students must right down all the toys that they bring with them everyday. This can show the parents that this is all the brought with them today and those toys are yours. Votes: +20 / -9 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Add a Comment                 Solution 4 Posted July 10, 2017 3:38 am Yeilin Ramirez Reps: 200 With the parents you can show them the receipt of the toys. For the future, I would write Ms.----- on every toy and leave a identification mark to know which are yours and belong in the classroom. Votes: +6 / -0 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution eguByp Reps: 102 I agree with this solution   Posted on: October 8, 2017 4:39 pm Add a Comment                 Solution 5 Posted February 27, 2017 2:29 am Gytusa Reps: 205 I would of showed the parent the receipt of the toy cars you bought. That would show that they are yours and confusion or conflict. If that does not work i woould simply not buy the children anymore toys. Votes: +6 / -31 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution ePuzej Reps: 200 I am not sure that this is the best solution. Simply showing the receipt will not do much. The parent could still say that they too have bought some. I think writing your name on them will be a good solution because that is proof that those are yours.   Posted on: February 18, 2019 7:01 pm vyBesy Reps: 101 I think is this the best way to go about this.   Posted on: October 17, 2019 3:24 pm Add a Comment                 Solution 6 Posted October 7, 2017 2:44 pm napyze Reps: 100 Well that does seem like a problem. I would purchase one more set of cars, this time write your name with permanent marker or nail polish. Also keep the reciepet and maybe a picture of all the cars. If they go missing again go from there. Try to talk to the student in your classroom before they go home and ask them about the cars. Votes: +4 / -0 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Add a Comment                 Solution 7 Posted October 8, 2017 4:39 pm eguByp Reps: 102 If i was in this situation, I would write your name on the bottom of the car with a permanent marker. So next time this happens you can show the angry parent that they are yours. Votes: +4 / -2 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Add a Comment                 Solution 8 Posted February 24, 2018 12:30 am Ariel Brangers Reps: 102 Seems like the student and parent ruined something nice for the class. I would try to provide proof of purchase. If not, then if you purchase more cars I would be sure to not allow that student to be anywhere near them. He will not longer be able to play with them if he takes them. Votes: +4 / -6 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Joseph Scharfschwerdt Reps: 103 This doesn't really solve anything because, although you know that the cars are yours, you still have to prove that to the parents. By not allowing the student to get near them anymore, you're saying they're yours without proving it.   Posted on: February 25, 2019 4:20 am nuXuma Reps: 100 Proof of purchase of toy cars doesn't explicitly mean the toys in his pocket are yours, labeling future cars would help. A Kindergarten classroom is very hectic very often, it would be very difficult to keep your eye on this one student to make sure he doesn't go near the cars.   Posted on: October 19, 2019 2:50 pm Add a Comment                 Solution 9 Posted February 25, 2018 11:58 pm duNuJy Reps: 203 I would show the parent the receipt to see. In the future I would either mark the toys with my name or not have anymore toys in the classroom. Votes: +2 / -0 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Add a Comment                 Solution 10 Posted October 10, 2018 3:30 pm baGyvy Reps: 100 It can definitely be a struggle in the classroom when dealing with students. A smart idea would be to write Mrs. "..." class on the bottom of the cars or on other toys in the classroom so if something does go missing you will be able to tell if its yours. It can be helpful if your students may bring something to the cafeteria or the library and forgot to bring it back, it can find its way back to your classroom. Votes: +2 / -0 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Add a Comment                 Solution 11 Posted February 23, 2018 8:56 pm Kenneth Allen Reps: 207 A solution to this problem is to stencil each car you buy. If a car go missing and you discover it on a student, explain to the parent that each car you purchased has a marking on it. Votes: +2 / -1 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Add a Comment                 Solution 12 Posted October 7, 2018 10:54 pm daneRy Reps: 101 I think it is time to start labeling all your toys! I do not think there is much to be done with your current student except make a report to your administrators. For the rest of the year, do not buy any more of the toys and keep a very close eye on the student. Label everything so this doesnt happen in the future. Votes: +1 / -0 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Add a Comment                 Solution 13 Posted November 28, 2018 4:22 am udaXuh Reps: 306 I would mark them with some identifying information for you to be able to state without question that they are your toys. Also, when the students are playing with toys maybe you can have a sign out sheet for the toys they are playing with. That way it can be documented which students were playing with which toys and when they were returned. (You would be in charge of checking the items in and out) Votes: +1 / -0 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Add a Comment                 Solution 14 Posted March 2, 2020 9:23 pm qyryTe Reps: 102 Label the cars as yours so in that case, the parent can't claim that the cars are her child's. Votes: +1 / -0 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Add a Comment                 Solution 15 Posted February 26, 2019 3:47 am eBejaP Reps: 201 For this I would next time write my name on the cars. At this point you should not argue with the parent. Or if writing your name on them does not work I would just let the students know that they lost the privileges of having fun things in the classroom. Votes: +0 / -0 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Add a Comment                 Solution 16 Posted October 7, 2019 9:18 pm ePuzej Reps: 200 Write your name on things as proof that they are yours Votes: +0 / -0 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Add a Comment                 Solution 17 Posted October 31, 2021 9:02 pm bepaRu Reps: 204 If you are having difficulties with these going missing in your classroom and the parents are not being cooperative at all, I would not punish the entire class by removing all the toy cars or banning them, but I would rather write your name in sharpie on the bottom of the car, so that the next time you see the child with cars in the pockets the cars would have your name on them, which would make it harder for the parents to say its theirs Votes: +0 / -0 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Add a Comment                 Solution 18 Posted April 4, 2022 1:56 am Aysiah Pagan Reps: 202 i would recommend labeling your cars/trucks from the students cars. That way going forward, it’s easier to catch him Votes: +0 / -0 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Add a Comment                 Solution 19 Posted April 13, 2022 5:03 pm uVeneH Reps: 204 I'd simply stop bringing in matchbox cars. Explain to the class that you brought the cars in for everyone to play with, but, without accusing anyone directly, students weren't respecting that privilege and were taking the cars home for themselves. Votes: +0 / -0 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Add a Comment                 Solution 20 Posted April 15, 2022 2:22 am beVuLu Reps: 203 This is a touchy subject. I would be very irritated at the parent for blatantly lying. It is setting such a horrible example. That child knew they were not his, but if he hears his mom say that they are then he may think that this is an acceptable behavior. I understand that she doesn't want him to be labeled as a thief, but it isn't any better to be labeled as a liar. I agree with a lot of the comments saying the cars should have his name on them. I think it would be a better idea to put an identifying mark on them, but something not noticeable like a dot or a smiley face. Something small and discreet. I do not agree with displaying a receipt. I don't think that would solve anything, and antagonize the parent even more. Votes: +0 / -0 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Add a Comment                 Solution 21 Posted April 15, 2022 7:36 pm esujyQ Reps: 202 If you label all of your school toys; you can keep track of them. To address the current issue; you should tell the parents that you had many cars for the student to use at the beginning of the day. You can discuss with them that the cars are gone, now. Votes: +0 / -0 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Add a Comment                 Submit a Possible Solution Please read response(s) below (if any) before posting your solution.