Valentine's Day at School

[ChetMC]

How do your kids (preschool and early elementary in particular) celebrate valentine's day?

We got a note from preschool that, in typical preschool teacher fashion, was worded in a very neutral, no pressure, participation optional kind of way describing what not to send to school for Valentine's Day. Based on the note, I tried to interpret what was the "normal" thing to do, and sent DD to preschool with valentine's for everybody in her class and a candy treat for each kid. I did send something produced in a nut free facility with no artificial colours or HFCS, but it was still candy.

Anyway, I apparently I guessed right. Based on what came home (the amount of candy treats in the box, and a report from DD specifically naming the kid who did not bring candy to share) it seems that a valentine with some type of candy is the norm. A lot of the candy actually had a place to write who it was "to" and "from" on the package so the candy was the valentine, or there was a spot in the card where you inserted a candy. Some parents even did up little valentine's treat bag.

I've never seen this before. Is this common?

[Alyantavid]

It seems to be. I'm one of the few who doesn't attach candy to the cards. My oldest son is 6 and in first grade and wrote out his own cards.

[ChetMC]

American?

Originally Posted by Alyantavid

It seems to be. I'm one of the few who doesn't attach candy to the cards. My oldest son is 6 and in first grade and wrote out his own cards.

I'm wondering if this is an American thing, or maybe a regional thing. I noticed that all of the candy that either was a valentine, or was obviously bought as a card and candy combo, is candy we didn't have in Canada.

[Evan&Anna's_Mom]

That is definitely the norm around here.

[MsBirdie]

DDs school is a junk food free charter, so no candy. Some kids send just cards, some homemade cards, some with pencils, most with stickers or an eraser, and there were 3 kids who brought treat bags that had necklaces, slinkies, and puzzles. DD went with littlest pet cards and 4 small stickers for each child. I liked that no one felt left out or bad for what they brought. I REALLY love the atmosphere our school fosters.

[~*max*~]

Yes, it's the norm around here too. Although ds's third grade teacher did put a limit on what kinds of treats could be brought in & encouraged healthy food (love this guy!). Dd's second grade teacher, in the same school, pretty much had a free for all w/all kinds of treats. I try to find non-candy treats to attach when I can. For dd's preschool I found some cute, tiny bubble wands to attach to the cards. It definitely takes advanced planning to be able to find enough or make enough of these things (and I have 4 kids to supply for).

[Linda on the move]

It's common here. To try to keep the sugar under control on party days, the kids get 1 treat to eat at school and one drink (DD's class had a cupcake) and the other treats attached to cards couldn't be opened until the kids got home. Her school usually has ice cream treats available at lunch time on Fridays, but on party days they skip it.

Since my DD has a sister who homeschools and a BF who is one grade up (and therefore no longer has school parties) the candy was split between 3 kids.

[ChetMC]

Originally Posted by Linda on the move

It's common here. To try to keep the sugar under control on party days, the kids get 1 treat to eat at school and one drink (DD's class had a cupcake) and the other treats attached to cards couldn't be opened until the kids got home. Her school usually has ice cream treats available at lunch time on Fridays, but on party days they skip it.

Since my DD has a sister who homeschools and a BF who is one grade up (and therefore no longer has school parties) the candy was split between 3 kids.

We had the same situation. The teacher required that all treats go home so parents could weed out anything unacceptable, and DD offered to share with her younger sister who doesn't go to preschool.

[BCFD]

My kids attend a private Montessori school and I was shocked to see how many parents attach candy to the cards or gave candy bags. Most of the cards were character themed cards, too. I had both of my kids sign their name to each card (I wrote their classmate's name or we would have spent 10 hours instead of 2 ) We opted for generic holograph dinosaur and nature cards. Some parents even gave each child a small plastic lunchbox filled with candy and birthday. We gave each of the teacher's and assistants beautiful tulips and candy to share in the kitchen. I'm thinking about giving each child a tulip bulb next year and a small pot. Wish I would have thought about that sooner.

[CarrieMF]

It's about normal, though there is more than just 1 kid who doesn't put candy/edible treat on them. It isn't required or thought less of for those who don't.

At the school here the kids have 3 days prior that they can buy hershey kisses to send to someone & they're delivered on the party day. They're sold for $.25 each & the money goes to one of the school clubs.

I bought the girls a bag of hershey kisses to hand out with their valentines.

All foods have to be peanut free. 2 of my kids have kids in their classes who can't have sugar so I bought some sugar free candy for them too.

[sunanthem]

At our school, (holistic, private, preschool/kindy) we had a valentine's tea party where all the parents were invited and asked to bring their favorite tea and a treat to share, like baked goods, fruit and bread. All week the kids read a story about a class making valentines cards, and together they made a valentine mailbox, made lots of valentines/artwork, at the party the valentines went in the one box and each child got to pick one valentine out. The kids also made valentines for their parents; clay hearts with stamps and designs that they then painted and were fired. So at the party they first sang us the 4 valentines songs they had been learning, then the kids picked out their valentines from one of their classmates, then we all had tea and treats, then parents recieved their valentines from their children, then playtime/socializing.
There wasn't any candy, but two parents managed to bring in homemade iced heart cookies and chocolate dipped strawberries.
It was our last day of school today, we will be homeschooling the rest of the year, so it was a nice ending for us.

[Lisa85]

Personally, I'm all for having candy and junk on Valentine's Day. Same as having cookies on Christmas and cake for your birthday. THAT'S when you should break out the less than healthy stuff. Thanks to parents giving their kids crap morning noon and night everyday these things are no longer viewed as treats for a special occasion but rather horrible toxic-ness we must rid the world of. /end of

[proudmamanow]

Dd's new school, a semi-charter Montessori, had a special Valentine's potluck breakfast with parents and then had the kids exchange Valentines they made in class--so we didn't have to make or bring anything. I love this place

[je309]

Originally Posted by lisa85

personally, i'm all for having candy and junk on valentine's day. Same as having cookies on christmas and cake for your birthday. That's when you should break out the less than healthy stuff. Thanks to parents giving their kids crap morning noon and night everyday these things are no longer viewed as treats for a special occasion but rather horrible toxic-ness we must rid the world of. /end of

ita

[williamsmommy2002]

Ds's class had a party with cupcakes and punch. They passed out valentines. Most had a candy or tattoo/sticker of some sort. There are only 12 kids in his class who participated so he didn't get very much. I thought it was very nice and the kids had fun with it. He was dispappointed because his best friend is jehovah's witness and doesn't celebrate.

[LittleBlessings]

We sent cards and candy. When DC came home DC had cupcakes, cards and candy from the other class mates

[LittleBlessings]

Originally Posted by Lisa85

Personally, I'm all for having candy and junk on Valentine's Day. Same as having cookies on Christmas and cake for your birthday. THAT'S when you should break out the less than healthy stuff. Thanks to parents giving their kids crap morning noon and night everyday these things are no longer viewed as treats for a special occasion but rather horrible toxic-ness we must rid the world of. /end of

[sunanthem]

I disagree. We had a great party w/o any candy. I think its important to teach kids that, and hopefully they will learn healthier eating habits then we did.

[mags]

I wish my son's preschool would have set limits on treats. About 1/4-1/3 of kids added some sort of treat to their valentine cards. For us, we had little tatoos that came with each card. One mom did attach her twins valentine's cards to a bag of microwave popcorn, which I felt was a nice alternative. Our school also has parents bring in things for goodie bags. I think the goodie bags are overdone. Most of the items are junky. I brought in mini-playdohs and stickers, but there were some other toys in there that were just pure junk (I really detest the stretchy toys that are like 100% chemicals, my son came home, saw them and told me it was full of chemicals and we agreed to throw it away) and then one mom dumped a whole handful of candy into each goodie bag. I could understand like one or two pieces of candy, but WHY an entire handful?!?!? Anyway, I guess it could have been worst. I know that out of the parents in my son's class, I am one of the pickier ones about junky foods. Some of the other parents seem to think that junk food is toward the bottom of the food pyramid, exhibited by the, "snack" they bring in on their assigned day.

[madskye]

Yup, I just sent in cards, and every other kid had a card and candy for DD. Next year I'll send a card and little stickers, I guess. They made cute little bags and then the teacher sent all the candy and cards home to us. They had a party in the classroom with cookies, strawberries, and cupcakes.