I have a touchy subject here (excuse the pun). The common rule is *never* touch a student no matter what. Being teachers, we aren't robots, and I think it is not unnatural to show light physical affection. But, the threat of lawsuit always hangs in the air for a teacher, and I've been told to never touch a student in any circumstance or even be left alone with a student to avoid any nasty accusations.
Physical contact with students is something that is very tricky. As you mention, there is always the threat that someone will view an interaction that is totally innocent and make it into something very terrible. In that case, people are presuming the worst to prevent the worst. At least, I'd hope that is their motivation.
Myself, I receive hugs from elementary children on a daily basis. They nearly tackle me sometimes. I don't think this is avoidable based partly because I am an activity where we have 'fun' and I am one of a very few male teachers. I do my best to make these hugs short and to the side if I can manage it. I never initiate but at the same time I don't feel that avoiding hugs is good either.
You might want to address the issue with your principal to see what they fell is acceptable contact.
I have a few high school students who like to hug - so I've taught them the "church hug" - side to side rather that chest to chest. I've actually reminded them that hugging can be misinterpreted so that's why we hug the way we do. I make it a funny/fun thing instead of a paranoid thing. I'm 48 so I don't really worry about hugging appearing weird. BUT, if I were even 10 years younger, I'd have a strict no hug policy.
If I were a male teacher I wouldn't hug at all above elementary school. And in elementary, I'd teach all the students a "teacher hug" which is side to side. This is partly because when I worked in elementary, I found many of the students to be very huggie - even when I was a strange substitute teacher. I think it's best to teach them to modify this hugging impulse so they learn not to hug strangers.
Physical contact with students is something that is very tricky. As you mention, there is always the threat that someone will view an interaction that is totally innocent and make it into something very terrible. In that case, people are presuming the worst to prevent the worst. At least, I'd hope that is their motivation.
Myself, I receive hugs from elementary children on a daily basis. They nearly tackle me sometimes. I don't think this is avoidable based partly because I am an activity where we have 'fun' and I am one of a very few male teachers. I do my best to make these hugs short and to the side if I can manage it. I never initiate but at the same time I don't feel that avoiding hugs is good either.
You might want to address the issue with your principal to see what they fell is acceptable contact.
I teach secondary, so it doesn't come up nearly as often as with elementary.
But one of last year's students, who was on the verge of failing out, is now a stellar student. I high five him every time I see him.
And in times of crisis, all bets are off. Many years ago, we lost a Junior in a car accident.... he saw the tree approaching on the wet road and threw his body over his girlfriend's. She survived. The kids, understandably, were a wreck. I gave a lot of hugs, and did a ton of shoulder rubbing. But even then, it was in a hallway, not a classroom, and it was totally appropriate-- never a hint of anything to report.
On a typical day, the rule is CYA. Don't give extra help with the door closed. And, if it is one student (particularly of the opposite gender, stand at the board and teach, don't sit next to the student. Always keep the idea of a lawsuit in the back of your mind, and behave as though there's a camera pointed at you. (Hey, it's entirely possible that there IS.)
my 5th and 6th graders would hug me all the time. In thinking about my behavior now, with 7th and 8th graders, I don't generally touch them besides a high 5 or a fist bump.
I know as a sub I would get hugged by all levels because most of the kids were so excited to have me as their sub. They would even hug me in the hall!!! I did like the other try to make it short & sweet!!!
When I interned I got a lot of hugs in the lower el. & then teaching in lower el it was the same thing.
Just on a funny note is there anything that says something about the kids touching... LOL!! I was pg & the kiddos would always touch my "baby" & say hello!!! It was really cute!!!
I don't have hugging as an issue much, being a high school teacher, but it does come up from time. Being only 23, I'm very cautious. I've had more huggers that were boys than girls, but I don't think their intent was malicious. I just flat out told them "I don't hug little boys" (to which they strongly object that they're not little boys. "All the more reason not to!" When they ask why not, I kind of joke about it "The last thing I need is someone to seem me hugging you and then staring mess. 'Ms. E1T1 gave me a bad grade, but she don't give the boys bad grades. In fact, she always touchin' on them. Mmm-hmmm...." They laugh, but they get it.) I told them I give high fives and some of them like to come up with "secret" handshakes. I give the girls side hugs aka church hugs are teacher hugs and even that is sparingly and only in the hallways when I know I'm under the cameras.
However, kindergarten is a different breed. 
