By James Lomuscio
Parents eager to thank to their children’s teachers or coaches with gifts this holiday season have received a familiar notice from Schools Superintendent Elliott Landon—$5 is the limit.
Ellliott Landon: personal note makes a great gift. Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com
“I send it out every year, and I think the PTA is pleased with it especially in these economic times,” said Landon. “It’s just not fair to ask people to spend a lot of money, and it also it puts stress on teachers.”
How? Some of the gifts from Christmases past were downright excessive.
“I remember a coach was offered a gift of a cruise, he and his wife, in response to the start of the season,” said Landon. “There have been offers of gifts of season’s tickets to concerts and games, to the Metropolitan Opera, the best seat in the house.
The problem with such presents is that they make it awkward for teachers, as well as parents who offer more modest gifts, said Landon.
“The school district and the Board of Education value and appreciate your desire to thank your children’s teachers and coaches,” Landon wrote in his letter similar to the one he has sent out previous years.
“And to be sure that your generous intentions do not result in a financial burden for some donors, or discomfort for recipients, we request that your decisions be guided by our long-standing policy on gifts to employees.”
The policy is that the cost of an individual gift should not exceed $5, and the donation per individual donor towards a group gift also should not exceed $5.
“We ask parents to refrain from giving, and staff members to refrain from accepting, items of more than nominal cost,” said Landon. “We believe that no parent should feel obligated to give a gift to an individual or be pressured to contribute to a group gift.”
Gifts that are welcome: greeting cards, books, homemade presents from children, cookies and alike.
“I think teachers would be more happy with an individual gift that the children produced themselves like a signed photo,” said Landon.
He also suggested the creation of a scrapbook or other mementos, or for a group gift, flowers. The best gift might even be a note of appreciation for a job well done.
“A personal note or letter, with a copy to the teacher’s supervisor, is an excellent way to express appreciation,” said Landon.
In other words, save your money so Elliot Landon can get a raise again!!!
In my 35 years of teaching, I’ve never known an educator to be influenced either way, by a homemade card or a $100. gift certificate. Parents should feel free to show their gratitude to the person that they trust their child with everyday in any way they are comfortable and not be dictated to by the superintendent.
Having kids in school here and seeing how some parents behave (mostly those who have moved here in the last ten years and claim “I’m a long-term resident and that’s how everyone does it”) it is very wise to circulate this sort of advice – I can pass along tales of $50 (or more) cash gifts or gift certificates to a child’s elementary school teacher, and what sort of implication does that create at report-card time?
And the school superintendent salary crack is wildly out of place here, but warmest holiday wishes to all just the same . . .
Or even $100 gift certificates, I guess I need to update my information . . . imagine the bidding war implications among those parents who feel compelled to match the going rate; and of course don’t lose sight of the fact that not all parents are givng their kid’s teacher $100, so you are left with those kids whose parents gave, and those who did not, hmmmm . . . and, with all due respect to the teacher who posted above, money talks, and those in a position of judge should not be receiving unrestricted gifts.
I appreciate this effort. Teacher’s are professionals, and I don’t think it’s appropriate to “tip” them. A small gift, from the child, seems like a very reasonable idea. Especially in a town where there can be a focus on money that is out of this world. If it weren’t for past excesses this rule would not be needed. Mr. Liepolt, as a former student from MANY years ago I am surprised to hear you weigh in on that side!! In the “olden” days we gave cookies and a card, if anything! Tracy
Jeez, whadda grinch!
Dear Former Teacher,
Although gifts may not have had any effect on your professionalism, as the parent of a former student, I had a different take on this issue. Living in an even more upscale town, I witnessed the after effects of some parents’ largess while my daughter presented a modest gift that she selected. Make no mistake, the other kids are comparing notes about what they gave to the teacher.
Did it make a difference to the teacher? Who knows, but the following year I made sure I was a room mother and the class gave one gift: a very generous gift certificate to a local store.
Here’s a tip from the NYTimes…
“In this age of shrinking budgets, teachers are increasingly springing for classroom supplies out of their own pockets. Why not give Mr. or Miss Chips a gift card from Staples or Office Depot to help subsidize their subsidization of the school system? Education reform at work! “
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/19/fashion/19Social.html