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I don't like that. I think they should hold onto the item until the end of the day, then give it back to the child to take home with a reminder not to bring it back again.

If the kids are old enough to understand and the policy is WELL communicated to them ahead of time I don't have a problem with this. Actions have consequences.

ETA: If it's young elementary school that's intense. But for middle schoolers? I would have no issue.

That's a little much
I would expect the item to be put in DSs backpack along with a note saying the item isn't allowed at school

Hmm, seems a bit much to me. But, if it was clearly communicated and parents were on board (as in they sign some sort of "agreement" at the beginning of the school year), then so be it.

I used to teach and frankly, don't think my old admin would've allowed that haha.

As a parent (who probably bought the item), I would have a problem with this. I would ask for the item back within the week, and talk to my kiddo about not bringing it back.

Keeping something for months could result in the kid totally losing interest, which is a waste of $$.

Are kids this sneaky? Isn't it easy just to check the backpack before they head to school?

@littlejoy: If you're an attentive parent, yes. If you don't ever look in your kids back pack, then... kids can definitely get away with this stuff. My two step sons are constantly bringing personal things to school (toys AND electronics) and it's really frustrating because their mother just doesn't look in their bags, ever).

@littlejoy: We only get them once during the week. We also check their back packs and make them do their homework, so we aren't worried about our own stuff. But it is frustrating when they lose something and get upset about it when they shouldn't have had it there in the first place! Their teachers have taken their Nintendo DS's away before but given them back at the end of the day with a note (which I think is reasonable).

I'm a teacher and I've used this strategy with my fifth graders. It was NOT used as a first response- more like the 10th. If I keep seeing this thing that you are not supposed to have, and I've told you, I've called home, I've threatened... dude, you've lost your toy.

I taught K, 1st, & 2nd for 10 years and I always had a June Box. It was never very full and anything I put in there had been sent home at the end of the day multiple times before. I don't think there's anything wrong with it, as long as the children are aware of/understand the expectation and are given warnings before ("You have brought this to school 5 times & it is stopping your learning. If you bring it out of your backpack again, it will go into the June Box.") I never once had a parent complain, probably because I had already communicated the expectation to parents before it happened.

@catomd00: even if your child had been warned multiple times? As a parent I would not want to teach my child that if they break the rules and have consequences that I will come and "fix" it for them so that they in fact don't have consequences for their action.

@JoyfulKiwi: I think this is a great method-they've been warned numerous times. Sometimes kids need to have a non parent invoke a consequence for it to stick!

@Truth Bombs: I would be concerned that they would think they don't have to answer to other adults' rules.

From the teacher's perspective, I would obviously give the item to a parent who asked for it, but it would go into the June Box until the parent could come pick it up. It would be frustrating to feel undermined, but all parents have different expectations. Teachers can only control what goes on in the classroom.

I guess my thought is that if the parents allow the kid (or are oblivious enough to miss the fact that it keeps going back to school) despite the teacher's warnings, well, then someone has to show some consistency and follow through in the situation. I would be OK with it if I had been given the heads up that it could be happening.

I don't understand the problem with it. If you don't want your kid to lose their stuff, teach them to follow the rules or take it on yourself to check their bags. Kids needs to learn respect for laws, rules and authority. I would be more frustrated with parents who help their kids escape consequences than teachers who consistently enforce classroom rules.

I did this in my classroom...with the exception that a parent would have to come get the item back if they wanted it before June, and an item only got put in there after several warnings and items being brought out during learning times. I don't think I ever had to actually take items away...knowing this was a consequence was enough that students typically followed the rules with items they brought in. I taught 4th and 5th grade.