Stealing

The student may:

Frequently have new items in desk, book bag, locker, etc

Linger by teachers desk when no one is near it

Appear suspicious, look around to see if anyone is watching, keep “eyeing” an item, etc

Often “borrow” items from others or off desks, acting as though there is nothing wrong when confronted

Have large sums of money or valuables, like electronics

Be unable to explain how and where they got something from

Have nearby students complain of missing items

Have large stocks of pencils, markers, paper, supplies, etc

Have hoarded items

Have large currency bills

Talk frequently about new items parents or relatives bought them

Sneak back into school or rooms

Sneak into to buildings after school

Report plans to steal to friends

Seem to be hiding items

See nothing wrong with taking others’ belongings

Lack remorse, guilt, sense of sorrow

Demonstrate other deviant behaviors like fighting, breaking and entering in community, vandalism, conflicts with police and authority figures, frequent suspensions, hang out with “wrong crowd”, etc

Have juvenile legal record

Have parents complain about student taking things from homes when spending the night

Have frequent reports from others

Brag to others of new items

Deny when confronted

Interventions

Tier I Interventions

Before you start, a few important points:

• Try multiple interventions

• Try each intervention for a minimum of 4-weeks and over 1 intervention may be implemented at the same time.

• Further details on each intervention is linked here.

Acknowledging positive behavior

Avoid power struggles

Call parent or note home

Card flip

Clear, consistent, and predictable consequences

Frequent home contact

Logical consequences

Office referral

Praise when cooperative and well-behaved

Praise when good attitude and involvement occur

Reflection sheet

Remove from room

Review classroom rules

Speak with student in the hallway

Take away privileges

Take away unstructured or free time

Talk one on one with student

Talk to parent

Teach conflict resolution skills

Teach coping skills

Teach relationship skills

Teach relaxation techniques

Teach social skills

Use calm and neutral tone