Find your receipts for this camera. And locate the serial number for it. Hopefully, you copied it down somewhere, when purchased. Make a police report. If you have serial number for camera, law enforcement can enter it into their stolen property data base much easier than without serial numbers. Usually the deductible of school's ins. policies is too high to cover cost of it, so don't count on that for replacement. Send home that newsletter/letter; who knows, maybe it will turn up under some kid's bed!
Did you happen to engrave this item with your group/school name, etc? If not, do it when you buy a replacement. And--while you're at it, use that handy-dandy engraver to mark anything else your group worked it's behind off to purchase!
I agree with the letter home and the police report (put that in the letter!). I myself would be pretty p.o.'d that someone (principal? secretary?) gave the teacher PTO property to use without permission or notifying someone on your board first. Even if it was an accident, she needs to take responsibility for using something that didn't belong to her including all the risks that go along with that. I would ask the teacher to hold a candy cane sale or something similar to help raise some money to go toward a replacement. May not be much but it's a start. Also, if you have other items that are to be used by other groups, make up a sign out form for each item with three names (the giver, the borrower, and the board member giving their okay).
I guess I am of a different thought. If the camera was a gift to the school, I wouldn't consider it necessary for them to immediately inform me that it was stolen. Once we gave it, I would consider it school property. I also wouldn't take this as personally as it seems to be hitting your organization. This was a loss for everyone. Having said that, I would certainly think that the school has a procedure for stolen school property and would follow that as designed to find out where the camera is.
I suspect they were embarrassed. But buying a new one would be a bit difficult. For me anyway. d
Our school district has its own police department. I would make a police report with the school police or with the local police department. This is not a small loss - and whoever is that dishonest needs to be caught and punished! Your insurance may cover the cost of the camera, but you really need a police report.
I would be furious that they didn't let me know that the camera was missing. It sounds like they didn't even attempt to find it. You need to get more details on this story.
How awful! That's alot of money for a group to be out. I agree with Serendipity, I would visit the principal and find out what actions have been taken thus far and what the district's plans are as to replacement of the camera. Maybe the school district's insurance policy has an allowance for this?
If there were other kids in the classroom besides the thief, you can bet someone saw it or the child showed it to someone.
Oh, no! That's awful. Maybe it got bumped off the desk & fell into the trash. I know some teachers have 2 trash cans in their room. 1 by the door & 1 by their desk. I hope you find it. I agree about sending a letter home to the parents. Good luck!!!
[ 12-08-2005, 02:09 PM: Message edited by: Renee S ]
