Our well-regarded DC charter school has parent-organized giving for each grade, split among both the classroom teachers and the auxilary teachers (gym, music, etc). I think we gave $20.

Growing up in the 1970's/80's. I don't remember this happening so much -- some parents gave their teacher a coffee mug or jar or hand lotion at the end of the school year, that was it.

It COULD get out of control. I guess that's why MCPS have the $20 rule. That's the same rule as the Federal gov't has. I would hope that a teacher would reject an expensive gift, but it's always a good idea to have a written policy on things like that.

Another question -- if you have given money to a group (PTA) collection for the teachers, do you also give them an individual gift?

PP here. Forgot to mention that the collection is organized by parents, not the school.

At our child's school they do a pooled collection which is divided among teachers and staff. This works out really well and alleviates the problems of some receiving more/none than others.

^ So, as with most rules- it was made for the thugs of DC Government that do things- like take bribes. So instead of saying 'no bribes' they say 'no gifts'. I guess in theory, if you as a parent give a teacher an amazing christmas gift- maybe it would be a pay off, disguised as a gift. No one is going to report a holiday gift, as a stand alone. Now a 1,000 present coupled with letting your kid cheat their way through an honors course... you may have something.

So what does this limit mean in practice? And is it really enforced? If so, how? If you get a teacher a gift card for more than $15 or $20 (whatever the limit is) they are obligated to return it? What if you give a gift basket of stuff, they can't accept it if it looks to be worth more than $15? what is the rationale? and how do "they" know? It's a total bummer for people who are able and want to give gifts to their children's teachers......

It's the least you can do for someone who spends 35 hours (or more) a week with your kid.

I don't give a gift as a parent to my child's teacher. By the holidays I am friends with my child's teacher and the gift giving limit is a moot point.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If MCPS teachers receive anything which costs more than $20, they should not accept it or return it.
If not, there are consequences by the county. A teacher did not abide by these rules and got herself in serious trouble.

Not true.

pp, all principals received a mass email from the office of superintendent about this about two weeks ago, to be forwarded to teachers.
I would not imagine any school would be exempt from it.

Anonymous wrote:If MCPS teachers receive anything which costs more than $20, they should not accept it or return it.
If not, there are consequences by the county. A teacher did not abide by these rules and got herself in serious trouble.

Not true.

If MCPS teachers receive anything which costs more than $20, they should not accept it or return it.
If not, there are consequences by the county. A teacher did not abide by these rules and got herself in serious trouble.

So, I guess if you are using the DC ethics pledge, its no gifts. But come on... if you can afford something nice do it. If not, a card. People rarely if ever say 'thanks', and it means a lot.

Who told y'all that? We are giving our teacher a day at a spa. Last year, one our teacher's got a 52-inch television. Year-before that we gave our teacher a designer handbag.

We were told nothing more than $30 per family (if it is purchased by a group of parents).

Are there any rules regarding gifts to teachers in DCPS? Are parents allowed to give gift cards or whatever they want, regardless of amount?