I have a little thief in my classroom

I'm very upset right now.

One of my students had her IPod stolen yesterday in my classroom. Now, let me first state that I don't allow IPods in my classroom. However, this student was digging out her project for me that she needed to turn in and she left her cell phone and IPod out on her desk (She keeps these items in her bag to be used before and after school). She walked over to my desk to staple her research paper. She went back to her desk and the IPod was gone. I wanted the police officer in our building to come down but he was in a meeting so my Freshman Housemaster came down into my classroom. He searched every student book bag and even searched the kids. Nothing. But, at least four students named a "potential" thief. The boy they all mentioned is on probation right now for stealing and having a gun (14 years old) - he was transferred from another school. This kid has quite the criminal record already. The Housemaster searched him twice. Found nothing. However, the Housemaster made the comment that it is possible for the boy to have the IPod down his crotch. Yes, you read it correctly. And, we can't search him "in that area" (for obvious reasons).

This girl is the sweetest thing. She is one of my hardest workers in class. She struggles with school but wants to do well in life. She gets good grades so that she can go to a good college. She is from the Dominican Republic and her father worked very hard to purchase this $250 IPod for her (Her father adores her - he really wants the best for her). She was absolutely devastated yesterday. And the ironic thing - in the morning, she found a cell phone and returned it to the housemaster because she's an honest kid. See where kindness and honesty gets ya???

Fast forward to today: The Math teacher on my team has one of our girls out in the hallway and she's crying. HER IPod was stolen out of outside pocket of her book bag. Guess what kid is in the class? So, the Math teacher asked me to go get the Housemaster. I got him and he searched all the kids again and nothing turned up.

What is up with these kids?

I told the Housemaster if this stealing thing with IPods happens again next week and that kid is in the room, I think they should call the police and have the police search the kid. I wouldn't screw around with the situation at that point. The kid has some serious issues.

The Housemaster did explain to BOTH girls that they shouldn't have the IPods in school. Unfortunately, it's a hard lesson to learn for both girls.

Before I dismissed my kids after the search, I told them how hard I had worked to create a safe environment in my classroom and that was completely blown today. A few of the other students came up to up afterwards and told me how violated they felt about the stealing. I have to admit that I feel violated too.