Gifts to Teachers

Noreen Likins, Principal

I had several teachers come to me at the end of last school year concerned that they had received monetary gifts from students/parents that were, they felt, too large for them to accept. Of course they were delighted that people had taken the time to recognize their work and efforts and they were most appreciative of the thoughtfulness of the donors, but they felt awkward at the amounts given. In each case they gave the money to their departments but we decided it would be helpful to give students and parents some guidelines on what is appropriate regarding gifts to teachers.

In general, gifts such as candy, flowers, cookies, Starbucks/Jamba Juicde gift cards for amounts of $20 or so are most acceptable. If, however, a student or parent wishes to recognize a teacher with a check or gift worth in the region of $50 or more, we’d like to suggest one of the following ways to do this.

• Make a donation to the department in which the teacher works! In these days of shrinking budgets the departments could really use the help.
• Make a donation to the Gunn Foundation in the name of the teacher. The Gunn Foundation provides college scholarships to needy students. A book is kept in which the names of staff honored in this way are listed.
• Make a donation to Gunn High School in the name of the teacher. It will be used to benefit the school in some way.
• Make a donation to the Gunn PTSA’s Direct Appeal in the name of the teacher.
• Make a donation to PiE during its “Honor a Teacher” fund raising campaign that takes place each spring. PiE assists all schools in the District.

Recognizing a job well done or special help given in these ways rather than giving large monetary gifts to a teacher or staff member avoids any misinterpretation of the reasons why such a gift was given.