It's that time of year again! Valentine's Day is fast approaching and you've opened up your child's backpack to find the dreaded class list and directive to make sure everybody gets a card. If you're like many parents, you're groaning and wondering why your child has to give a Valentine's Day card to everyone. Here's the answer to that question and five more common questions about Valentine's Day at school.
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Children Giving Valentine's Day Cards to Everyone in the Class
It may seem as though it's going overboard to give cards to the entire class and your child may even complain about giving cards to kids he doesn't like, but the reasoning is simple enough. Giving cards to everyone is the best way to avoid hurt feelings. If your child expresses concern about giving cards to everyone, don't dismiss his concerns, but do make sure he understands that it's not negotiable.
You can encourage him to write a special message on the cards to his best friends as a way to set those apart from the rest.
If You Can't Afford to Buy Valentine's Cards
Talk to your child's teacher, preferably before you mention it to your child. Most teachers will have a creative solution to this problem. In my years of teaching, I always had parents who sent in their children's leftover cards "just in case."Many teachers are bargain shoppers and pick up boxes of Valentine's Day cards on clearance every year to stow away for just such situations. Or your child's teacher may be able to send home the materials to create homemade cards. Another option is to print Valentine's Day cards from online resources.
Does My Child Have to Address and Sign All the Cards Himself?
This really depends on how old your child is and whether or not his fine motor skills are up to it. By the time children reach late elementary school (3rd, 4th, and 5th grade), they should not only be able to address and sign Valentine's Day cards but also keep track of the class list to make sure everybody has a card.
In kindergarten, your child may be able to sign his own name to the cards and trace over his classmate's names if you pencil them on first. First and second graders are most likely able to address and sign all the cards but may need to do them in batches over the course of a few days.
Why Doesn't My Child's School Allow Valentine's Day Celebrations?
There's no one reason that schools don't allow Valentine's Day celebrations, but there are a few common themes, including the concern of the impactValentine's parties and candy can have on children with food allergies. Other issues may be:
(1) Parties and cards exchanges can be disruptive to the learning process. It's very hard to get anything accomplished if students are anticipating a celebration or recovering from one.
(2) Not all students' religious beliefs include Valentine's Day and celebrating it in the classroom can be considered discriminatory.
(3) Valentine's Day is perfect fodder for bullying, clique behavior and hurt feelings, even if the "everyone gets a card" rule is enforced. Instead of providing the opportunity to send cards with nasty messages or to make fun of certain types of cards, some schools ask that Valentine's Day celebrations and exchanges take place off school grounds.
What Should My Child Do for the Teacher on Valentine's Day?
Take your cues from your child. Ask him: "What do you want to do for your teacher on Valentine's Day?" If all he wants to do is give her the same type of card he's giving all his classmates, that's fine. If he wants to do something more extensive, that's fine too. Teachers don't (or shouldn't) expect their students to give elaborate gifts. After all, Valentine's Day is traditionally more about love than appreciation!
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Heart-Healthy Valentine's Day Party and Food
Since February is alsoAmerican Heart Month, many classrooms are having healthier celebrations. Instead of cookies, cupcakes, and punch, parents can send in more creative Valentine's Day treats.
Some of the more interesting ideas I've seen include: watermelon slices cut with heart-shaped cookie cutters; strawberries cut in half (they look like hearts); bagels with cream cheese mixed with a few drops of red food coloring; heart-shaped mini-muffins and melon cut into the shape of flowers.
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FAQs
Most teachers and etiquette experts we spoke with indicated that it is usually recommended to give every student in the classroom a valentine, especially if your child is passing them out at school.
What is the dark truth about Valentine's Day? ›
One Valentine was a priest in third-century Rome who defied Emperor Claudius II after the ruler outlawed marriage for young men. St. Valentine would perform marriages in secret for young lovers, ultimately leading to his death.
Why should we not celebrate Valentine's Day in school? ›
Valentine's Day has been considered a bad influence on children so most schools do not allow children to celebrate this day with their friends and teachers. This day is considered a distraction from learning according to school authorities and parents which will leave a negative impact on children.
What is the purpose of Valentine's Day in school? ›
Valentine's Day activities in the classroom bring meaningful connections, love, and engaging learning experiences for students. It is the perfect opportunity to teach students social and emotional learning (SEL) skills such as gratitude, self-love, respect, and more.
Do you give your kids valentines? ›
Yes, giving your child a Valentine's Day card or treat is a lovely thing to do. Those who include their children in Valentine's Day tend to go all out on presents and special meals and messages of caring and kindness. "We have little presents and special dinner," says Stephanie M. "My little boy calls it Love Day."
Should kids celebrate Valentine's Day? ›
"The holiday is perfectly OK as it's a celebration of love. Valentine's Day is an all-inclusive day that doesn't differentiate between the gender of partners."
What does the Bible say about Valentine's Day? ›
1 John 4:7-12. Dear friends: let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.
What is the real story behind Valentine's Day? ›
It originated as a Christian feast day honoring a martyr named Valentine, and through later folk traditions it has also become a significant cultural, religious and commercial celebration of romance and love in many regions of the world.
What does black mean in Valentines Day? ›
6. Black: Healing from a Rejected Proposal. Black might be a favourite of many, but on Valentine's Day, it symbolizes rejection. You just got your heart broken because of a rejected proposal.
Why is Valentine's Day banned in some countries? ›
But in some other countries like Indonesia, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, the day is banned due to the day's conflicting views with the Islamic culture. Since 2009, certain practices pertaining to Valentine's Day (such as giving flowers, cards, or other gifts suggestive of Valentine's Day) are banned in Iran.
In the end, Valentine's day is just a holiday—no one should feel pressured or obligated to celebrate it no matter what their relationship status is. While giving someone gifts and chocolate is a great way of showing love, it certainly isn't the only way.
What does code Valentine mean in school? ›
CODE VALENTINE TEAM AND PROCEDURES
The “Code Valentine” signal will be made anytime a person on campus is in need of emergency services such as cardiac arrest or symptoms where the Code Valentine/First Responder Team may be needed.
What does Valentine's day teach children? ›
To combat these feelings of self-doubt that might arise in your children, it's important to reiterate the true meaning of the holiday to your kids: being kind to one another and celebrating each individual for who they are, despite our differences.
What is the dark origin of Valentine's day? ›
On February 14, around the year A.D. 270, Valentine, a priest in Rome in the days of Emperor Claudius II, is said to have been executed. Because he was marrying people, after the Emperor explicitly said he wanted the men to fight wars, not marry (Claudius actually banned Marriage for this very reason).
Should Christians celebrate Valentine's day? ›
If that works for you, do it. But the biblical pattern teaches us that romantic love between husband and wife should be on display often and much. It isn't that celebrating Valentine's Day is too much; it is too little and weak. Christians, live your married years so that you don't need Valentine's Day.
What do you do with your Valentine at school? ›
Fun Valentine's Day Activities for Elementary Students
- Have a month-long kindness challenge. ...
- Exchange notes of kindness. ...
- Have a door-decorating contest. ...
- Read some Valentine's Day books. ...
- Make a heart collage. ...
- Craft up some Valen-slime. ...
- Set up a candy heart estimation jar. ...
- Do a crystal heart science experiment.
Each year, typically, elementary school children choose a box of valentines featuring their latest favorite superhero, princess, snack, or Internet meme, fill out a card for each of their classmates, and distribute the cards among their peers' decorated shoeboxes during class time.
What is Valentine's Day for elementary students? ›
Valentine's Day is a holiday that people celebrate on February 14. It is also called Saint Valentine's Day. On Valentine's Day people greet loved ones, close friends, family members, and classmates by sending them cards called valentines. People also give candy, flowers, and other gifts to loved ones.
What to sell on Valentine's Day at school? ›
Chocolates/Sweets
For ages, heart-shaped boxes of chocolates and candies have represented the symbols of love for couples worldwide. Also, chocolate is widely believed to present deep love, passion, and affection, making it the perfect Valentine's gift for everyone.
