Value allowed for holiday gifts to school teachers subject of local debate

Cynthia Calsimitto does not think there should be a limit on how big a holiday present parents should be able to give their child?s teacher.?I think that in this time and age it?s good, but I don?t think it?s necessary. I think they do a great job, so you should be able to give $100 per child if you want to,” said Calsimitto, who has a child in second grade at Hadley Elementary School in Swampscott.But since June 2009, when the State Ethics Commission passed new regulations on gifts for public employees, parents have to abide by strict limitations when giving gifts to teachers.A public school teacher cannot accept a gift worth more than $50, unless it is a class gift. In that case, the gift can be worth up to $150, as long as it does not highlight the number and names of people who contributed, according to the regulations.In addition, if a teacher receives a gift from a parent or student that could be seen as a measure to influence the teacher, he or she must disclose the gift to the superintendent.Cheryl Winters, parent of a third-grader at Hadley, agreed that gifts from parents should not be restricted.?I think if somebody has (the money), they have it,” she said.Winters is contributing toward a class gift for her daughter?s teacher, but said she plans on giving a small gift bag of her own with a hot cocoa packet and a gift card to Dunkin? Donuts. Her desire to give beyond the class gift, Winters said, fluctuates.?It depends totally on my relationship with the teacher, and (my daughter?s),” she said.Michele Cavicchio, who has triplets in the second grade at Hadley, said she has experienced some pressure to give her own gift, in addition to the class gift.?I feel like everyone else is going to give a gift, so you want to give something little. I just want to be able to give my child something little to give to the teacher,” she said.She added that her children like to wrap the gifts.Luz Quirk said she likes giving homemade gifts to her children?s teachers as well as giving toward a class gift.?I enjoy doing it. They do a lot for our kids,” said Luz, who has a first-grader and a third-grader at Hadley. “It lets them know that we appreciate them and their hard work.”Joseph Picano, Lynn Public Schools? director of fine arts, said he has received small presents from students, such as gift cards and music-related ties.?It?s a nice show of affection and respect,” he said. “I?ve never been given a monetary gift, nor would I accept one.”Brett Henry said teacher gifts should be unrestricted and up to each parent?s discretion. The parent of a kindergartner and third-grader at Johnson Elementary School in Nahant added that teachers definitely deserve a present at the holidays.?Spread the joy, you know?” he said.Marybeth Godwin, who has children in first and second grade at Johnson, said she is contributing toward class gifts that teachers can use for educational purposes.?We?re asked to follow the rules to get them items for the classroom,” she said. After a pause, Godwin added, with a laugh, “And cookies.”Lynn School Committee member Vincent Spirito said that while he does not think a monetary limit should be placed on teacher gifts, the meaning behind the gift is the most important.?If you can afford to give a nice gift certificate somewhere, that?s fine,” he said. “Or if a parent would just like (to) send in a candle or a small token, I think it?s the thought more than anything else.”A non-monetary gift may have the greatest effect on teachers, said Nancy Mades, an eighth-grade English teacher at Breed Middle School in Lynn.?In today?s economy, parents really should not feel pressured to spend a lot of money on teacher gifts,” she said. “Just (give) a note saying thank you.”Sarah Mupo can be reached at [email protected].