School Cancels Valentines Day!!??

[jokalima]

It was so nice for me as a child to grow up celebrating all these things, we looked forward to giving our friends special cards and just seeing decorations, it made us happy lovethislovethislovethislovethis I want my child to have that same experience during his childhood, everything is so grown up for them lately, I want him to enjoy being a kid.

[Country Kids]

Our school is very frustrating when it comes to parties. It wasn't when my older kids went there but now-uugghh

We have only had two "fun" teachers in six years for parties. The rest-blah.

Kindergarten-kids had to still do work during parties and parents are just standing around not sure what to do. ( I was room mom)

1st grade-Very limited on what we could/couldn't do (me and another mom were room moms)

2nd grade-What a Blast (I was room mom) and this teacher let me do what ever I wanted. We had stations set up with different activities and all. The kids all said how much fun they had and the teacher loved that they had to do very little in party way. Said they never had such a wonderful turn out!

3rd grade-same as second grade!

4th grade-another mom was room mom and tried but teacher just didn't seem into it.

5th grade-by this time no one seems to want to participate and the moms that are trying to put it together are frustrated by this.

5th grade has by far been the hardest-No costumes for Harvest party and not allowed to participate with rest of school in costume parade. Nothing to refer to Christmas at all during the month/party(party planning mom was told this), yet another grade had a Christmas tree! Wasn't really welcoming to parents it felt like. Valentines day-parents welcome to join, sent a note home for us to say what we could bring. No moms want to help at this point! We still have two big activities for the year and none of the kids are excited which is sad to me.

[SilverSabre25]

And here we reach another reason why I feel that homeschool is about to be the best choice for my family. I feel that all the "fluff" is as valuable as the "meat"--and it's poor "meat" at that these days what with all the dumb standardized tests, NCLB, etc.

Children are having their childhood stolen from them, and it's a terrible thing. School should not be sit down at your desk filling out worksheets and listening to the teacher drone, for six hours, with a break for lunch. That's prison, not school. But, that's what we're moving more and more towards. Take away parties, take away crafts, take away recess, take away gym and music and art, take away birthdays, take away holidays...what's left?

[Evansmom]

And here we reach another reason why I feel that homeschool is about to be the best choice for my family. I feel that all the "fluff" is as valuable as the "meat"--and it's poor "meat" at that these days what with all the dumb standardized tests, NCLB, etc.

Children are having their childhood stolen from them, and it's a terrible thing. School should not be sit down at your desk filling out worksheets and listening to the teacher drone, for six hours, with a break for lunch. That's prison, not school. But, that's what we're moving more and more towards. Take away parties, take away crafts, take away recess, take away gym and music and art, take away birthdays, take away holidays...what's left?

So true and I agree which is one of the many reasons why I got out of the classroom. My first two went through public schools, second one will graduate in 3 years but my youngest is only 5 and we are homeschooling him. Plus part of my business is offering classes to other homeschoolers and its been a joy to get to teach them!

[SilverSabre25]

So true and I agree which is one of the many reasons why I got out of the classroom. My first two went through public schools, second one will graduate in 3 years but my youngest is only 5 and we are homeschooling him. Plus part of my business is offering classes to other homeschoolers and its been a joy to get to teach them!

I was supposed to be an elementary school teacher by now and I would for SURE be one of the fun teachers. But that didn't work out for us, and now I"m not so sure I will ever go into the classroom. Too much politics, not enough love of children and learning.

I may someday open up my own affordable MOntessori/Reggio/RIE/etc inspired preschool/center. Maybe.

[Evansmom]

I was supposed to be an elementary school teacher by now and I would for SURE be one of the fun teachers. But that didn't work out for us, and now I"m not so sure I will ever go into the classroom. Too much politics, not enough love of children and learning.

I may someday open up my own affordable MOntessori/Reggio/RIE/etc inspired preschool/center. Maybe.

Can I work with you?! I'm greatly inspired by Montessori/Reggio/Waldorf and pull heavily from those in my work.

I'm probably going to try to expand my business as my son grows too but less child care and more teaching homeschool classes. We have a lady here in town who we take classes from who teaches Robotics with Legos. My son has a blast and her classes are always booked!

[DCBlessings27]

Children are having their childhood stolen from them, and it's a terrible thing. School should not be sit down at your desk filling out worksheets and listening to the teacher drone, for six hours, with a break for lunch. That's prison, not school. But, that's what we're moving more and more towards. Take away parties, take away crafts, take away recess, take away gym and music and art, take away birthdays, take away holidays...what's left?

I agree with this. I taught high school, but I made it a point to have a celebration at the end of the semester because the kids don't really get to have fun/relaxed atmosphere in school anymore. The first school I taught had a plan (down to how many weeks spent on each story/book)for every teacher teaching that class for the whole district. It was very limiting on me creatively.

I don't run my daycare by sitting the kids down with worksheets because I feel they need to be kids before sitting at desks for 13 years. I'd rather and do teach my daycare kids and my odd without sitting her at a desk and taking the fun out of learning.

[DCBlessings27]

This situation makes me sad for my daughters' future schooling. I had planned to make time to help out in the classroom for events such as Valentine's parties, and I'll be sad if all schools start canceling holiday parties.

[Country Kids]

http://www.kval.com/news/local/School-sticks-to-policy-of-no-Valentines-Day-cards-candy-190941081.html

Here is the link to the actual news link.

I do find it funny that nothing was said about them not celebrating anything at the school when they were doing the interview-now it says they don't do any type of celebrating holidays or birthdays. If the kids know this why raise such a stink and the parents also. I find it funny that they would pick one holiday to raise such a fuss about.

Yet they have a holiday food policy memo! Why do this if you don't allow any type of holiday parties.

All I have to say is I'm very glad my kids do not attend that school-it seems that can't decide what they do and don't do!

[Childminder]

Hmmm...is the principal a Jehovah's witness?

[Kaddidle Care]

I don't think it's very complicated. I don't think it has a fig to do with religion or celebrations. I think it has to do with a declining participation from parents to the point where the school takes on nearly the entire thing on their own. They don't have the budget and the teachers don't want to spend their own money.

I think it's a deal of parents wanting their kid to have it but want someone else to do the work. Some will do the money of buying the pieces of it but want someone else to do the work.

In order to make it a good time and FAIR the teachers are having to do the majority of it. As the years go by the teachers are more like the parents... they don't want the hassle either. The principal most likely responded to a group of adults not wanting to do it.

Look at Bunny's thread: https://www.daycare.com/forum/showthread.php?t=59779

He hands me a bag of the kids valentines cards ( all three kids) and their class lists. He lets me know they need to be filled out before pick-up, and that the SA kids can do his own.

THIS is why. (see above)

Ding, Ding, Ding! What she said! ^
If a Party is so important, there's no reason why the parents can't get together and have an after school party for their kids! ♥

What used to annoy me was the Halloween Parade in my child's school where everyone got to participate EXCEPT the 5th graders! That was just rotten.

But.. alas.. thanks to a moron with a gun, there will be no more Halloween parades at school around here.

[CedarCreek]

Ding, Ding, Ding! What she said! ^
If a Party is so important, there's no reason why the parents can't get together and have an after school party for their kids! ♥

What used to annoy me was the Halloween Parade in my child's school where everyone got to participate EXCEPT the 5th graders! That was just rotten.

But.. alas.. thanks to a moron with a gun, there will be no more Halloween parades at school around here.

Holy crap, what?! What happened with a gun at the parade?

[Kaddidle Care]

Holy crap, what?! What happened with a gun at the parade?

No.. nothing here - the Connecticut shooting.

They have vamped up security big time in our schools. It's only going to keep the honest people honest - just like the locks on your doors.

We, as parents cannot enter the school without an appointment, anything that you need to drop off to your child is to be dropped in a container in front of the school, etc., etc.

One school a few miles away now has an armed security guard.

[Country Kids]

Ding, Ding, Ding! What she said! ^
If a Party is so important, there's no reason why the parents can't get together and have an after school party for their kids! ♥

What used to annoy me was the Halloween Parade in my child's school where everyone got to participate EXCEPT the 5th graders! That was just rotten.

But.. alas.. thanks to a moron with a gun, there will be no more Halloween parades at school around here.

That our school-the 5th graders have a party but no costume, no parade=:confused:

[UrKidnMe]

In my day... (I'm 37), we would pick out a valentine box of cards, or make them all homemade. We weren't too busy with iPads, video games, TV shows, sport practice after sport practice... we were made to write out our OWN valentines. They weren't "goodie bags", they didn't have candy. We WERE able to write names on them in the 'TO' line (now we're told to expedite the hand out, they should remain blank in the 'to' line). I remember trying to sort them, because there was a boy or a girl I really liked and wanted them to get my favorite valentines... and some that I didn't want to send the wrong message too (No "I love you" valentine for the kid in the corner who eats his boogers). This was part of my childhood, and it's a fond memory.

I think there are all the rule breakers that make it NO fun. The parents who put pressure on all the other kids to give out goodie bags to be part of the in crowd, always up-ing the anty. It's either big party, or nothing. School should be about learning social skills (how to make and keep a friendship -- this is a huge part of life), how to take time out from yourself to be nice to others... not just the academic learning. Taking the time to write out valentines for others, not just what candy you get. More about the message than the gifts. I try to encourage this in my daycare... we learn to to interact with each other on a social level -- no bullies, be nice, do things for others feels good & and learn academically through play.

It's sad that schools would just rather cancel a holiday rather than place limits. Children with allergies shouldn't be made to feel bad, Children with less fortunate financial situations should not be made to feel bad -- You CAN celebrate Valentines day without candy or extravagance. Just my thoughts, and opinion...

As I was reading everyone's responses I had all these thoughts going through my head and then I read yours, you must have been reading my mind! My hubby and I just talked about the same exact things. I am 35 and I have the same exact memories of my school Valentine's party! I am kind of sad that my kids wont grow up with the same memories. Their school has not cancelled Valentine's Day but they might as well. They dont get time to enjoy the day. They can't pick out special Valentine's for each friend. Just write their name on it and hand them out. It would take too much work and time if they had to hand each card out to a specific person. No more home made treats. Only store bought because of allergies. And of course we have to sign a permission slip for the kids to be able to participate in case we dont believe in celebrating. I am not saying I dont agree with some changes, just that things have changed! Someone else said that taking these things away is another way for kids to grow up too fast. I agree. I wish so much that kids just got to be kids! Yes it is more work to do class parties. What job is out there that there aren't days that are a little more difficult. I celebrate with my daycare kids. Yes, it gets messy and there is more to clean up, yes, it is more work for me and they do bicker. But it is all a part of life! In the end they have had a fun day and it is memories they will always have. It is a day in the middle of the week that we can take a break from our normal routine and let the kids have fun. School is hard work for the kids too. I just dont think it is fair to take away more and more from them every year. I understand that school is a place for learning and education but there is also room for fun and a break from the everyday schedule.