THEFT at school, UGH! QUESTIONS!

[a1tinkfans]

So, its the 4gb Special Edition Nano.

SO heres the rant.....We purchased an Itouch for ds this xmas and TODAY he tells me (after dh and I have asked several times, wheres nano) that it was stolen just before Xmas at school, during gym class.

So, what has me annoyed is that he did not tell us, kept saying, I don't remember (and he is NOT good at organization of anything, so that was not unusual, misplaces things around house, etc..)
Anyway, today he walks in from school and I say, take some time to do a search around house for Nano and he says, Oh, I just remembered that it was stolen at gym. JUST remembered, I think not! Obviously he did not want to tell us about the theft (especially before Xmas when the Itouch was being asked for).
Honestly, he "helped" the thief!!!. There are gym lockers, he placed it in his pants pocket and did not lock the locker because it was too full.
Well, How many times have I said bring home all the "extra clothes", like 10!
Then, I say, did you report it stolen. He says no, they made an announcement on PA when we came back to school (holiday break) that lots of thefts of phones and ipods took place and school is aware of it, HOWEVER they told the kids, if you tell us you had something of value YOU are in trouble for bringing it to school as we told you, nothing valuable and we will not look for it or investigate it!
(the same school has the anonymous hotline for "any issues" you become aware of???)
Well, I am annoyed that he did not report it or atleast tell me so I could report the theft. This isn't $5!
Don't you think they should KNOW?
I am thinking of calling to "notify" them of the theft. What if someone found it, like a janitor, I know VERY unlikely, but shouldn't they at least know that another item was also stolen???
I told my son I am annoyed that HE did not lock the locker AND his "forgot" thing does not FLY in this house.
I am "thinking" of making him pay me $50 to make a point! I think he needs to know $$$ does not grow on trees.
Reality is, he has the itouch, so he "feels" no loss here and that makes ME mad!!! Its not the $$$, I can afford it, I think its the principal of it.
SO heres the 2 Questions

**Would you report it at school?? ( I have serial Number, though knowing it wont be there).
**Would you make him pay some $$?
I have already decided that he will lose some "extra's for NOT telling us when this happened instead of ignoring it like situation will just "disappear" (no pun intended, )
Thanks for the rant, that felt GOOD. (freshman in HS)

 

[wvjules]

Why is he taking it to school anyway? No way, no how is my DD taking an expensive electronic device to school. That's just asking for trouble, let alone that it is against school policy.

 

[Barb D]

Bye-bye iTouch, until he pays you back in hard labor for the iPod.

 

[Holly]

It was his IPod and since he lost it, now he doesn't have it. Sounds like a good natural consequence to me. I'll bet he'll be more responsible with his new one.

I would be annoyed that he waited to tell you until after you gave him another expensive gift. Sounds like a smart kid.

I would call the school and ask the office if anyone turned one it, even though you know that's unlikely.


I have a 14 year old and a 15 year old at home, so I can empathize.

 

[JR6ooo4]

Report the serial number to apple as stolen.
Don't get your kid in trouble at school.
take away the new one. If the old one cost more than the $50 you want him to pay, he will feel like he got a reduced sentence for the crime of not locking his locker.

maybe a bully took it right from his hands and to not be so embarrased he made up the no-lock story???

Mikeeee

 

[wvjules]

It was his IPod and since he lost it, now he doesn't have it. Sounds like a good natural consequence to me. I'll bet he'll be more responsible with his new one.

I'm betting he doesn't care if he lost it since he already has a better, more expensive, replacement.

Make sure he doesn't take the new one to school (which he shouldn't do anyway).

 

[hereyago]

Personal accountability.

Ok, if kids aren't supposed to bring the stuff to school, the school isn't responsible. Your DS all ready loses stuff so you thought you would get him that?

 

[a1tinkfans]

It was his IPod and since he lost it, now he doesn't have it. Sounds like a good natural consequence to me. I'll bet he'll be more responsible with his new one.

I would be annoyed that he waited to tell you until after you gave him another expensive gift. Sounds like a smart kid.

I would call the school and ask the office if anyone turned one it, even though you know that's unlikely.


I have a 14 year old and a 15 year old at home, so I can empathize.

I think I will!!
I am also going to notify Apple as someone else suggested.
I actually think It was on my charge card and may be covered under that, but right now,
I am just annoyed at the situation and will "think" about that avenue.
As far as the itouch goes, it was a gift for Xmas and as such, I would not take it away. I know he wanted it for the 1/2 hour bus ride twice a day and we knew we'd be getting it for him. BUT we will again have the conversation that if it is damaged or lost or stolen it is HIS issue. AND when issues arise he needs to take action and not ignore it!!
I am making him pay me some $$ for the loss and I think that will bother him more (this is the same kid that finds bank "interest deals" and cd rates to make $$, he has a better portfolio than some adults I know) Cold Hard CASH will hurt for sure! Especially since he already has the itouch.
Thanks for the input everyone, having a teen is not a piece of cake!

**called APPLE, they DO NOT track thefts but will note the account if you registered your product (which I did).

 

[cheermom1]

I think I will!!
I am also going to notify Apple as someone else suggested.
I actually think It was on my charge card and may be covered under that, but right now,
I am just annoyed at the situation and will "think" about that avenue.
As far as the itouch goes, it was a gift for Xmas and as such, I would not take it away. I know he wanted it for the 1/2 hour bus ride twice a day and we knew we'd be getting it for him. BUT we will again have the conversation that if it is damaged or lost or stolen it is HIS issue. AND when issues arise he needs to take action and not ignore it!!
I am making him pay me some $$ for the loss and I think that will bother him more (this is the same kid that finds bank "interest deals" and cd rates to make $$, he has a better portfolio than some adults I know) Cold Hard CASH will hurt for sure! Especially since he already has the itouch.
Thanks for the input everyone, having a teen is not a piece of cake!

no it's not I have a 15 almost 16 dd, 14 almost 15 ds, and 13 stepson - and I think you are on the right track - something that is going to make a lasting impression

 

[HSMndLKfan92]

As a teen, I'd suggest that you make him pay.
I know I wouldn't be too pleased with that.

 

[tekmom]

DS16 has the 80g classic for almost a year and will never. never. never. be allowed to take it to school. Besides the fear of theft, our school doesn't want them there..... even though every kid is walking around with one.

I am the meanest mother on earth.

 

[SC Minnie]

DD14 has a 30G Classic and is not supposed to take it to school but I have caught her with it several times. I told her if it gets stolen/lost/broken then too bad so sad. I will not replace it.

 

[daisyduck123]

I know he wanted it for the 1/2 hour bus ride twice a day and we knew we'd be getting it for him.

Tell him to read a book.
I'd insist that the new one stay home.

 

[minniecarousel]

There is no fricking way I'd allow that to go to school. He will just have to "survive" the 1/2 hour each way without music blasting in his ear!

 

[maccagerl]

As far as the itouch goes, it was a gift for Xmas and as such, I would not take it away.

I don't understand what being a Christmas gift has to do with it.
I think taking away the iTouch for a number of weeks that equals the number of weeks he kept this from you is appropriate and he will feel that loss much more than he will miss the money.

 

[ORMom2Four]

I read our police logs (it's in the local newspaper) and our high school reports thefts to the police department.

I would report it to the either the school, the police or both of them!

 

[okeydokey]

You may want to let the school know although I am sure they are aware there is a problem. These devices should not be brought to school, hope the new one stays home. I too think that a proper consequence of not telling you would be to lose it completely for a few weeks.

 

[Tink_Or_Belle]

did he pretty much know he was getting a new one? would he be the type to give the "old" one to a friend thinking he just didn;t need it anymore then saying it was stolen would be easier than asking for it back.
if so tell him you reported the number to the company and that they may be trackable... then if he is afraid his friend will be in trouble it may "show up"

he is older than my daughter but she has a pushy classmate who always tries to convince her to give her her stuff ... and there are kids in the class who fall for it

 

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

I would take him with you, and go to the police station to report the theft. (if you have insurance and may be covered, most insurance companies at least want a police report.)

The reason that I say take him with you, is that when it comes to signing the police report, his story "MAY" change. (do not be suprised if this happens)

All the other posters have some good ideas on how he can make amends.

 

[a1tinkfans]

Well tonight the DH and I discussed the situation.
Like me, he was annoyed it got stolen, BUT he too said that he was very disappointed that the ds did not tell us right away, not that it was stolen so much.
So, we sit with the ds and he explains that he actually thought he had left it in a book bag, then also checked sweatshirt, couldn't find it, then realized, the last time he saw it was his last gym.
Meanwhile, tells us his cell was also in his pocket and that threw him off, they left that behind (he said it is prob too easy to trace and no one takes them anymore, PATHETIC) but moving along here, he then says that he couldn't get the gym locker locked that day so he just went to gym and forgot about it. Didn't think about it till he went looking for it and thought it would just turn up. (like the last "thingamajig" that they use to download computer work on to go between home/school computers, that turned up two weeks later in a pants pocket!)

Honestly, this is an advanced placement, A student here, a good kid, happens to be very smart but lacks both adequate social skills and the whole organizational skill set (we've done classes in the past for this) .
That being said, he "knew" something was up even if he didn't know where he lost track of it. He ultimately realized that it was stolen and said the school announcement made him realize it. He should have told us that day!
So, here's the kicker, HAD he told me right away I would have been covered under my insurance for replacement (credit card) BUT, that expired 1/2/09, so we 're out the total.
He was very upset that he is being "punished" in his words, for $50 since he said that he is getting penalized and a thief got an ipod. Yup, life is tough sometimes..... We said.....LESSON learned, be responsible! I think 50 is cheap, my DH was against taking ANY $$, but I insisted.
As far as the Itouch goes, dh told him very clearly that IF he chooses taking it to school AND it gets damaged, lost or stolen it will not be replaced.
That being said, we are allowing him to keep the itouch, pay the $50, he lost use of laptop (except for h/w) at home for his "forgetfulness" and we're calling it a day!

Someone mentioned reporting to Police, and I think I just may do that as well and then give a report to school. I take a school theft seriously. I have a sneaking suspicion the school is keeping track of the situation and think if it comes from a parent it may have more of an impact. Something to consider mentioning at the next PTA meeting as well.

Thanks for all you input. Wishing everyone a Healthy and prosperous New Year!