Fairfax County teacher gifts

[Anonymous]

Is there a cap on what teachers can receive? Is it appropriate to give a teacher $50 gift card to say target?

[Anonymous]

There is no cap that I know of.

[Anonymous]

I think there is a rule, but it doesn't have an actual dollar amount. It uses words like "de minimus" or something like that. You and the teacher have to decide whether the amount is "de minimus" or significant.

[Anonymous]

I am giving DC's teacher a $40 Visa gift card.

[Anonymous]

FCPS (partial) regulation:

VII. GIFTS TO SCHOOL SYSTEM EMPLOYEES
Students and their parents shall be discouraged from the routine presentation of gifts to school system employees on occasions such as Christmas. A school system employee shall not accept an elaborate or expensive gift even if a student should feel a spontaneous desire to offer one. The School Board shall consider as always welcome, and in most circumstances more appropriate, the writing of letters to staff members expressing gratitude or appreciation. No school system employee shall solicit, demand, accept, or agree to accept any gift or valuable benefit of more than nominal or minimal value (including commissions, fees, discounts, rebates, special privileges, and the like) from any person selling or seeking to sell goods or services to the school system or to students as part of a program organized by the school system (such as from a vendor of band instruments or gym uniforms).

[Anonymous]

We gave a generations picture frame (her father and mother died) and $100 gift certificate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is there a cap on what teachers can receive? Is it appropriate to give a teacher $50 gift card to say target?

Wow! I feel like a cheap skate now. We gave all of kids' teachers a few homemade cookies on a paper plate.

I guess for us it added up. DD had a K teacher and the aide, DS has 1st grade teacher and speech teacher, then Dd#3 has teacher and music teacher.
Then all 3 wanted to give something to the bus driver.

No way I could pull off a $50 gift card to each.

[Anonymous]

I'm feeling cheap now, too. We gave the 3 teachers each a $25 gift card and a thank you letter from the kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm feeling cheap now, too. We gave the 3 teachers each a $25 gift card and a thank you letter from the kids.

I'm sure they appreciated that. I don't think it's cheap.

[Anonymous]

Former teacher here - please, do not feel obligated to give anything, and if you do, it is appreciated.

In my years of teaching, I have received - an apple with a bite out of it, several bottles of Avon perfume - some partially emptied, plates and tins of homemade cookies, gift cards (never for more than $10), Christmas ornaments, and a few handmade Christmas decorations. All of these were appreciated, but, truly, my favorite gifts have been notes that my students had taken the time to write (on their own - with mistakes included), and heartfelt notes from parents. These are the ones that brought tears to my eyes and that I still have today.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:FCPS (partial) regulation:

VII. GIFTS TO SCHOOL SYSTEM EMPLOYEES
Students and their parents shall be discouraged from the routine presentation of gifts to school system employees on occasions such as Christmas. A school system employee shall not accept an elaborate or expensive gift even if a student should feel a spontaneous desire to offer one. The School Board shall consider as always welcome, and in most circumstances more appropriate, the writing of letters to staff members expressing gratitude or appreciation. No school system employee shall solicit, demand, accept, or agree to accept any gift or valuable benefit of more than nominal or minimal value (including commissions, fees, discounts, rebates, special privileges, and the like) from any person selling or seeking to sell goods or services to the school system or to students as part of a program organized by the school system (such as from a vendor of band instruments or gym uniforms).

Whatever. Just mark it "Chanukah gift." The paragraph says "Christmas." It does not say anything about Chanukah or Holiday.

We just gave a $40 gift card. That amount is "nominal" because I say it is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:FCPS (partial) regulation:

VII. GIFTS TO SCHOOL SYSTEM EMPLOYEES
Students and their parents shall be discouraged from the routine presentation of gifts to school system employees on occasions such as Christmas. A school system employee shall not accept an elaborate or expensive gift even if a student should feel a spontaneous desire to offer one. The School Board shall consider as always welcome, and in most circumstances more appropriate, the writing of letters to staff members expressing gratitude or appreciation. No school system employee shall solicit, demand, accept, or agree to accept any gift or valuable benefit of more than nominal or minimal value (including commissions, fees, discounts, rebates, special privileges, and the like) from any person selling or seeking to sell goods or services to the school system or to students as part of a program organized by the school system (such as from a vendor of band instruments or gym uniforms).

Whatever. Just mark it "Chanukah gift." The paragraph says "Christmas." It does not say anything about Chanukah or Holiday.

We just gave a $40 gift card. That amount is "nominal" because I say it is.

I posted that regulation and I'm a teacher in an elementary school. I have no opinion on it either way, I just wanted to post the actual regulation. It seems it is open to broad interpretation.

I accepted the gifts the students gave me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm feeling cheap now, too. We gave the 3 teachers each a $25 gift card and a thank you letter from the kids.

Perfect gift. Don't worry.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:FCPS (partial) regulation:

VII. GIFTS TO SCHOOL SYSTEM EMPLOYEES
Students and their parents shall be discouraged from the routine presentation of gifts to school system employees on occasions such as Christmas. A school system employee shall not accept an elaborate or expensive gift even if a student should feel a spontaneous desire to offer one. The School Board shall consider as always welcome, and in most circumstances more appropriate, the writing of letters to staff members expressing gratitude or appreciation. No school system employee shall solicit, demand, accept, or agree to accept any gift or valuable benefit of more than nominal or minimal value (including commissions, fees, discounts, rebates, special privileges, and the like) from any person selling or seeking to sell goods or services to the school system or to students as part of a program organized by the school system (such as from a vendor of band instruments or gym uniforms).

Whatever. Just mark it "Chanukah gift." The paragraph says "Christmas." It does not say anything about Chanukah or Holiday.

We just gave a $40 gift card. That amount is "nominal" because I say it is.

I posted that regulation and I'm a teacher in an elementary school. I have no opinion on it either way, I just wanted to post the actual regulation. It seems it is open to broad interpretation.

I accepted the gifts the students gave me.

Thanks for your posting and thanks for your service. I am the PP. Have a Merry Christmas!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:FCPS (partial) regulation:

VII. GIFTS TO SCHOOL SYSTEM EMPLOYEES
Students and their parents shall be discouraged from the routine presentation of gifts to school system employees on occasions such as Christmas. A school system employee shall not accept an elaborate or expensive gift even if a student should feel a spontaneous desire to offer one. The School Board shall consider as always welcome, and in most circumstances more appropriate, the writing of letters to staff members expressing gratitude or appreciation. No school system employee shall solicit, demand, accept, or agree to accept any gift or valuable benefit of more than nominal or minimal value (including commissions, fees, discounts, rebates, special privileges, and the like) from any person selling or seeking to sell goods or services to the school system or to students as part of a program organized by the school system (such as from a vendor of band instruments or gym uniforms).

Whatever. Just mark it "Chanukah gift." The paragraph says "Christmas." It does not say anything about Chanukah or Holiday.

We just gave a $40 gift card. That amount is "nominal" because I say it is.

I posted that regulation and I'm a teacher in an elementary school. I have no opinion on it either way, I just wanted to post the actual regulation. It seems it is open to broad interpretation.

I accepted the gifts the students gave me.

Thanks for your posting and thanks for your service. I am the PP. Have a Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to you too!