That is so sad. I'm sorry this happened.
But, even these sorts of bad things are good lessons for children. They can't be protected forever from the fact that people steal.
Your reaction is important. The children will learn how to react to bad news and sad things by mirroring your reaction.
I vote to replace the planter and start again, but keep the planter in a more secure spot (if you have one). That way the kids learn that even when bad things happen, you can keep going.
Thank you for being a teacher!!
Thank you. Iexplained what happened to the planter. And I had the children vote if we should get another planter or not. They all voted to get a new planter in a lighter color and write on it that it belongs to the VPK classroom.
I like that idea :)