School Policy Leans Toward Group Gifts

School ends in less than a month for students in Hopkinton, and that means it's time to reach out to the teachers that helped guide your children on their journey to knowledge.The schools follow very specific gift giving guidelines outlined by the state so as to prevent any form of favoritism from teachers.The guidelines "Prohibit the acceptance of gifts with an aggregate value of $50 or more from any individual within any 365-day period. All employees who receive gifts must disclose this information to their supervisor."

Gifts given by the class as a collective to the teacher fall under less strict guidelines. "Groups of parents/guardians may contribute to a gift with an aggregate value of up to $150 provided that the gift is identified as being from the class. Additionally, the individual identity of each gift giver and/or individual amounts contributed may not be identified. Employees are not required to disclose such gifts."The full guidelines for the district can be found on? the school district's website or The Business Gifts as a Thank You Gift .

In an email Assistant Superintendent Mary Ann DeMello, a card can have just as much of an impact as a monetary gift."If you are considering a gift for a member of our school district, we would like to thank you in advance for adhering to these regulations. Please know, however, that simple expressions of appreciation, such as a thank you letter, are always treasured and often saved for years."