Read This First: Gift Policy for Swampscott Public Schools

SWAMPSCOTT, MA - It’s gift-giving season, but before you head to the store, take note that gifts from students to teachers or school personnel are discouraged by Swampscott Public Schools. Here’s the language:

Because of the embarrassment that might result among children, students will be discouraged from giving gifts to classroom teachers and other school personnel. For the same reason, there will be no formal exchange of gifts between students in the classroom.

>>> Read the full policy here.

If you do decide to get a little something for your children’s teachers, here are the highlights of the state’s laws governing gifts to teachers within the Massachusetts public schools systems:

Dos:

• Give gifts worth less than $50 -- teachers and school personnel are generally allowed to accept gifts worth less than $50 from an individual student.
• Give GROUP/CLASS gifts worth less than $150 -- if parents and students coordinate, they may give a gift worth up to $150 as long as the names and amounts of individual contributors are not disclosed.
• Give gifts for use exclusively in the classroom -- gifts to be used on in the classroom, or a gift of classroom supplies, are not subject the the $50 limit.

Don’ts:

• Give an individual gift worth more than $50 -- Also avoid giving multiple gifts to a single individual that, when added together, their worth is greater than $50.
• Give an individual gift AND contribute to a class gift -- choose one or the other. If an individual gift is offered, the teacher must then confirm that the giver did not contribute to any class gift.