I have never heard of receiving gifts as being part of a code of ethics. At my school, we receive many gifts for Christmas and Teacher Appreciation Week. I, personally, do not see any negative effects of receiving a gift from a student that is simply thanking a teacher. Of course, the gift should be appropriate and have a specific reason behind it, not just because. However, because it is a part of your school's code of ethics, I would simply explain to the student, and parents if needed, that it is against school rules for you to accept gifts from a student. Express great thanks and appreciation for the thoughtfulness but explain that it could potentially get you in to trouble.

At my school we are allowed to receive gifts from parents and students. I have never had the issue of receiving an inappropriate gift. If my school did not allow gifts, I would make sure when the first big holiday rolled around I would send out a letter to all the parents explaining the situation. I am sure most parents would understand.

It is important to understand your district's policy on accepting gifts. I have parents buy me gifts all the time. However, I make sure to convey to them the county's policy on this matter and that my rejection of this gift is not reflected of any personal beliefs of my own, but of the county's policy.

I have worked in several schools and gifts were never an ethics violation. However, if necessary, I would inform all parents at the beginning of the year that gifts could not be accepted. Reminders close to big holidays would be helpful.

You could always politely decline. Explain to these families that you cannot ethically accept gifts and that you do not feel comfortable accepting gifts. You could even throw in a cheesy "Our friendship is the only gift I need" or something along those lines. I've never needed to do this in the field of education specifically but I do this in my daily life because I'm not comfortable with gift giving exchanges. Actually used that cheesy line myself, although I will admit it was to make a friend laugh. For the most part, this works. The only people that disagree (they use "disagree" incorrectly, not me) are my immediate family members. They genuinely argue with me and start verbal fights over this concept. They are the only ones that do this, though, so hopefully the families in your case are like the ACCEPTING people in my life.

I have never heard that teachers could not accept gifts from students, I see no problem accepting the gifts and can very well be awkward sending them back with the student to their parent. But if this is the case, maybe send a note home with the student apologizing to the parent and stating how you would like to accept but unfortunately due to the code of ethics you cannot accept the gift.

It is appropriate to receive gifts of thanks, but not gifts for a payment of a service outside of school while that child is under your charge. For example, tutoring one of your students at the students home and you get paid for it.