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Original poster

Teacher threw away my DDs bracelet and I'm cross about it - should I complain?

246 replies

conniedescending · 08/01/2009 10:55

Title says it all really, she forgot to take her bracelet off yesterday and the teacher saw it and chucked it in the bin!!She only told me on the way to school this morning and teacher wasn't there to have a word with (was in a meeting apparently)

so should I ask her today or just seethe quietly?

OP posts:
Original poster
conniedescending · 08/01/2009 19:36

thanks for the advice

turns out the teacher did throw it in the bin - apparently lots of the girls have been wearing jewellery to school and they were told in assembly about it. Told my DD in front of me that she had had a warningon mon so it was her fault and she would remember next time.

I just walked away because I felt like crying, and actually have cried about it when DH came home. I need to go and see the head about this but am sure I'll cry as soon as I try to talk it out.

My DD is 7 and she knows she is not allowed to wear jewellery and is normally very good about this sort of thing. I am positive it was a genuine mistake and had she noticed before the teacher she would have put it in her book bag straight away.

I'm so upset......DH doesn't understand

OP posts:
NAB3lovelychildren · 08/01/2009 20:03

I still think it is wrong she threw it in the bin. What if it had been an exoensive bracelet or one with sentimental value?

scienceteacher · 08/01/2009 20:13

If I confiscate something, there is no way they get it back the same day. And it's the parent who has to claim it back, not the child.

deepinlaundry · 08/01/2009 20:16

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

louii · 08/01/2009 20:21

Whats wrong with you woman, she threw a piece of jewellery belonging your child in the bin, regardless of whether it breaks the rules or not she had no right whatsoever to do that.

She should have taken it up with you as you are the parent and therefore responsible for what your child wears.

What if it had been a special item.

Do not cry, go to the head and tell her that it is bang out of order, I would make a complaint.

How dare she throw your childs belongings in the bin, it is not her place.

Hulababy · 08/01/2009 20:31

I agree - you must take it up with the head. It is never right for a teacher to throw a child's property away. It should always be returned to them to take home.

Original poster
conniedescending · 08/01/2009 20:41

right - will take it upwith the head and try not to cry

I think I'm emotional about this because she got it for xmas in her stocking and none of the kids had much at all this year because of our financial situation. I spent ages shopping about and saving pennies here and there to do them stockings and while they didnt get much at all they seemed to like everything. DD loved the bracelet and I'm really upset for her that its been chucked away so casually.

OP posts:
snorkle · 08/01/2009 20:44

see the head - & remind him that you expect teachers at the school to be teaching your child about respect for other people's property by example.

Aitch · 08/01/2009 22:11

i can see why you're upset, it was an AWFUL thing that she did.

Aitch · 08/01/2009 22:13

hang on... please tell me that she fished it out of the bin at the end of the day... she didn't just throw out your dd's christmas present?

connie, if you cry, there's no shame in that. i think i'd cry too. you've had a tough time and now someone is picking on your child, it's okay to be sad about that.

ShinyPinkShoes · 08/01/2009 22:20

Tell the Head exactly what you have posted here.
I think thyis was a nasty, horrid thing for the teacher to have done

StepfordKnife · 08/01/2009 22:20

"On a side note, if things are labelled they should turn up in lost property"

Yeah, you'd think so wouldn't you? But 2 of my ds' school jumpers have disappeared despite sewn on name labels - no sign in lost property. Pah!

Op, yes you should complain about the bracelet

LittleBella · 08/01/2009 22:22

I am shocked that a teacher would throw a child's property away.

Why would anybody do this, let alone someone who has been to teacher training college and presumably learned the basics of respectful interaction with children and parents?

I'm always so puzzled by threads like this.

StepfordKnife · 08/01/2009 22:22

I would also growl at the teacher frequently from now on and put the fear of God in her (I do intimidation quite well)...in fact, where do you live, can I come and menace her on your behalf?

Sorry you are so upset btw

Hangingbellyofbabylon · 08/01/2009 22:24

This was really mean, little things like this mean such a lot to children and 7 is ever so young. No need at all for her to be that mean. I would be very upset too and I think you do need to see the Head

onager · 08/01/2009 22:31

The teacher may have had the right to stop her wearing it in class, but not to steal it, which is what she did. You should treat it that way.

I'd be giving the head the chance to offer an apology (from the teacher) and full compensation or have the teacher explain it to the police. The value of it isn't important. You can be arrested for stealing a bag of sweets from a shop.

scienceteacher · 08/01/2009 22:34

Police? For a trinket. OMG.

I'm always cutting these silly string things from pupils' wrists. Do I expect a knock on the door from the local constabulary?

BumpermightsuetheSindie · 08/01/2009 22:35

I was going to say what onager said, this is pretty much theft. How awful and mean. This would make me lose complete trust in the teacher and must do the same for both you and her. Not taching her a very good example is it? You can just take someone's stuff and chuck it away. Awful policy and if the head stands by it I would be in contact with the LEA (or whoever is above the head - not quite at school stage here yet).

BumpermightsuetheSindie · 08/01/2009 22:37

It wasn't a string though it was CD's DD's xmas present and obviously of value to her.

bloss · 08/01/2009 22:39

Message withdrawn

TheFallenMadonna · 08/01/2009 22:42

God, when I confiscate something I live in fear that I shall lose it. It's a nightmare.

MsHighwater · 08/01/2009 22:43

scienceteacher, it doesn't sound like a "silly string thing". The OP has said it was a Christmas present, albeit an inexpensive one.

Regardless of how inexpensive it was, the OP's dd was fond of it and even though she should not have been wearing it at school, throwing it in the bin was unacceptable as a way for the teacher to deal with the matter. Confiscation was appropriate. Disposal of the bracelet was not.

In the OP's shoes, I would definitely complain to the Head and would be explaining that I would take the matter further if it isn't dealt with appropriately. An apology from the teacher to the child might be a good start, methinks.

scienceteacher · 08/01/2009 22:45

Fond of bracelet/not fond of school rules. Hmmmm.

StepfordKnife · 08/01/2009 22:47

Fond of school rules, not fond of respecting other peoples property

aGalChangedHerName · 08/01/2009 22:49

I'd be expecting her to replace the bracelet and give an apology.

What a cow

So she's showing pupils that it's ok to chuck other peoples stuff in the bin.

Gosh what a wonderful example to set eh?

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