Q&A for How to Deal With Teachers That Take Your Personal Items Away

Be honest and show willingness to do better in the future. Remember that rules exist for a reason and, in the classroom, your teacher has the right to set these rules.

No, it is not. If your teacher does this, make your parents aware of it immediately.

If it's a school device, yes. If it's a personal device, absolutely not. If that happens, talk to your parents. If they don't agree, talk to a counselor, psychologist, or other adult you trust that is unaffiliated with the school.

If you're not allowed to have phones in class and she saw your phone, then she's allowed to take it. However, if she actually reached into your back pocket to take it out herself, that could be considered a violation of your personal space and you'd have a right to complain about this. Teachers shouldn't be touching students for any reason.

This may be illegal. Get the police involved if the principal isn't able to resolve anything.

No, they cannot. This would be a violation of privacy.

No - that is theft. Talk to your parents and the school principal right away, especially if the earbuds were expensive.

They may absolutely not keep your phone for a week if you don't pay a fine. They are also not allowed to keep it overnight. You can use a school computer or your landline (if you have one) to get a hold of your parents and explain the situation; ask them to get on the phone with the school officials.

Your teacher cannot force you to pay them money for breaking a rule. However, you should not chew gum during class. If your teacher asks you to get rid of your gum, politely do so by placing it in the trash.

No. A teacher can confiscate something and return it later, but can't dispose of it. Talk to your parents and/or the principal about this.

Contact the principal's office and inform them you would like your child's item returned.

Tell your parents immediately. That is illegal and you/your parents need to call the police immediately.

Your teacher can usually take your phone away if you are using it when there is a rule against doing so. This may include during after school activities that are located at the school or on a school-sponsored field-trip. Your teacher cannot take your phone outside of school.

Ask whomever took your headphones where you can get them back.

If the student code of conduct says explicitly skateboards are not allowed, then it may be. Apologize to the vice principal; say you weren't aware skateboards weren't allowed in the parking lot and will be sure not to ride there in the future. Then politely ask for your skateboard back. If your request is refused, involve your parents.

Tell your parents, even if you risk getting in trouble with them for having whatever the item is out in class. Most schools don't allow teachers to hold onto a student's personal items for longer than the school day, so you should get your parents to call the school and complain.

Talk to the principal and calmly explain what happened. Most likely she doesn't have the right to keep your personal belongings until the end of the school year. If this doesn't work, have your parents call the school and complain.

Politely ask her how long she plans on keeping your phone. If she refuses to answer you, go to the headmistress yourself and complain, or use a friend's phone to call your parents and ask them to get in touch with your teacher.

Is it for an art class? If so, explain to your teacher that you need it for the class. If she still refuses, tell your art teacher what happened. If you need the notes right now, see if you can get in touch with any classmates that might be able to share notes with you, or email the teacher and ask what you can do.

Politely explain the situation to your teacher and request it back. If you still don't get it back, you'll have to wait it out or contact school officials.

Tell your parents and principal. If they broke it, they should be required to pay to have it fixed.

Many teachers do this to make sure they don't have to interrupt their class by taking away a phone. It is allowed; if you want to avoid it, leave your phone in your locker for the duration of that class.

You can say exactly what you said here. Sharp objects can be too small to see. If she warns you that she'll forcibly take your shoes, warn her that that's against the law and your human rights. If she does forcibly take them, contact authorities.

Call the school and either make a complaint with the principal or request a parent-teacher meeting.

The same way you would when it's a phone. Ask politely for your book to be returned to you; if it's not, get in contact with school officials.

A teacher is not allowed to keep an item forever. Confront your teacher and ask how you can get it back. If the teacher refuses to give you a way or the option is inappropriate (i.e. paying money), you should inform the principal about what’s going on.

In short, if they have a "reasonable suspicion" that you're breaking the rules, i.e. that you have your phone in your pocket when you're not supposed to, etc., yes, they can search you.

Technically yes, however this is unlikely. It’s best to keep it in your backpack at all times.

Tell the teacher the truth. Explain that the item is your property, you let your friend borrow it for a short time, so as it wasn't you who was using it inappropriately in class. Politely ask for it back, and promise that you won't let anyone disrupt class with it again. If the teacher still refuses to return it and the item is something valuable, such as a mobile phone or game console, get your parents and the principal involved.

From until the end of class to a maximum of the end of the day.