School Cancels Valentines Day!!??

[mrsp'slilpeeps]

I see everyone's point too, but are we really celebrating the holidays for what they are really for??

Take christmas for example, its all I want, I want, I want. Im sorry but who's birthday is it? :confused:

Its too comercialized, Buy your sweetheart a billion dollar piece of gold!!!

Have you ever heard of just celebrating your love for one another without all the monitary crap that goes with it?

Sorry, just my 2 cents!!

[Childminder]

Why does the principal get to make this decision? Is it district wide? or just this school.

As to your comment BC about let them celebrate as families, a lot of families don't or won't so the children would miss out on some very important learning opportunities. If it wasn't for school celebrating or at least encouraging holiday celebrations, for instance Mother's Day, I personally would not have received any acknowledgement as a mother. My DH at the time said: "You are not my mother why would I?". Even though I was the mother of his children.

I didn't learn about St Valentine from my parents, I learned at school. Public school. What about Presidents Day? The kids get the day off for that, they aren't learning a thing about it from school. Do you as a parent celebrate and use the day as a learning opportunity?

JMHO

[mamac]

I can see both sides of it, I've been a teacher in elementary school classrooms. I know it's a distraction from curriculum to have a holiday party. But I just haven't seen an improvement in academic performance in the schools I have been in after the PE, Art and holiday parties were limited or taken out of the day. So I'm only talking from my personal experience.

I forgot to add that although my son is not allowed to bring in his own treats to share the school is planning on having a special party and treats for all students during lunch time when it won't affect the class schedule. I'm not upset that he can't bring his own, (less candy the better) but I wish they wouldn't have changed the rules on including both classes for the cards. The rule usually is if you bring invitations or anything to share in to school the entire class has to be included or it has to be done outside of school. He feels like he is being unfair to his other friends.

[Blackcat31]

Why does the principal get to make this decision? Is it district wide? or just this school.

As to your comment BC about let them celebrate as families, a lot of families don't or won't so the children would miss out on some very important learning opportunities. If it wasn't for school celebrating or at least encouraging holiday celebrations, for instance Mother's Day, I personally would not have received any acknowledgement as a mother. My DH at the time said: "You are not my mother why would I?". Even though I was the mother of his children.

I didn't learn about St Valentine from my parents, I learned at school. Public school. What about Presidents Day? The kids get the day off for that, they aren't learning a thing about it from school. Do you as a parent celebrate and use the day as a learning opportunity?

JMHO

I understand that alot of families don't or won't but I surely wouldn't expect teachers to make up for families that don't or won't.

I am sorry your DH said that to you and I feel badly that you would have gone without a Mother's Day gift/card but again I just don't feel that should be the schools or teachers responsibility.

I too learned about St Valentine.....but I learned the most about him in church NOT school. I think some of the "commercialism" of holidays that started out as religious celebrations are kind of disrespectful in some sense.

I can see why some families opt to remain neutral and I fully understand why schools simple want to not participate at all. There are way too many cultural beliefs and customs to please everyone all the time.

If schools are simply doing Valentine's Day for the commercial aspect of it...then great...but still what an "additional" pain in the rump for some teachers.

[nannyde]

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)

[hope]

Two years ago I made the decision to celebrate everything.....n i do mean everything! My family will now celebrate every holiday, milestone, change of seasons, accomplishment, u name it. My husband was diagnosed with Cancer so I wanted to build as many memories for my children as possible. These celebrations have taught our children so much more than we ever realized. This weekend my four year old daughter took out a map to locate China because we were celebrating Chinese New Year! At four, being special needs, she already knows how to locate other countries n explain their cultures because we made a point to celebrate. Schoos need to keep in mind that children can learn other than from books.

[KDC]

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...

[Country Kids]

UPDATE:

A friend of mine has a cousin that attends this school. The mom is very up in arms because the school celebrated Chinese New Years. She is fine celebrating it but not taking away Valentines, either do all or none.

[My3cents]

Disclaimer: I have NO personal stake in this. I do have my own personal feelings about it but also love a good discussion about BOTH sides of a topic.

I agree that kids can definitely learn a lot from holidays but where do we draw the line?

• Jan 1 New Year’s Day
• Jan 6 Epiphany
• Jan 13 Stephen Foster Memorial Day
• Jan 21 Martin Luther King Day
• Feb 1 National Freedom Day
• Feb 2 Groundhog Day
• Feb 10 Chinese New Year
• Feb 12 Shrove Tuesday/Mardi Gras
• Feb 13 Ash Wednesday
• Feb 14 Valentine’s Day
• Feb 18 Presidents’ Day
• Mar 1 St. David’s Day
• Mar 2 Read Across America Day
• Mar 10 Daylight Saving Time starts
• Mar 17 St. Patrick’s Day
• Mar 20 Vernal equinox
• Mar 24 Palm Sunday
• Mar 28 Maundy Thursday
• Mar 29 Good Friday (Many regions)
• Mar 30 Holy Saturday
• Mar 31 Easter Sunday
• Apr 1 Easter Monday
• Apr 15 Tax Day
• Apr 24 Administrative Professionals Day
• May 1 Loyalty Day
• May 1 Law Day
• May 2 National Day of Prayer
• May 5 Cinco de Mayo
• May 9 Ascension Day
• May 12 Mother’s Day
• May 15 Peace Officers Memorial Day
• May 17 National Defense Transportation Day
• May 18 Armed Forces Day
• May 19 Pentecost
• May 20 Whit Monday
• May 22 National Maritime Day
• May 26 Trinity Sunday
• May 27 Memorial Day
• May 30 Corpus Christi
• Jun 14 Flag Day
• Jun 16 Father’s Day
• Jun 21 June Solstice
• Jul 4 Independence Day
• Jul 28 Parents’ Day
• Aug 15 Assumption of Mary
• Aug 19 National Aviation Day
• Sep 2 Labor Day
• Sep 7 Carl Garner Federal Lands Cleanup Day
• Sep 8 National Grandparents Day
• Sep 11 Patriot Day
• Sep 17 Constitution Day and Citizenship Day
• Sep 20 National POW/MIA Recognition Day
• Sep 22 Autumnal equinox
• Sep 29 Gold Star Mother’s Day
• Oct 4 Feast of St Francis of Assisi
• Oct 7 Child Health Day
• Oct 9 Leif Erikson Day
• Oct 14 Columbus Day (Most regions)
• Oct 15 White Cane Safety Day
• Oct 16 Boss’s Day
• Oct 31 Halloween
• Nov 1 All Saints’ Day
• Nov 2 All Souls’ Day
• Nov 3 Daylight Saving Time ends
• Nov 11 Veterans Day
• Nov 28 Thanksgiving Day
• Nov 29 Black Friday
• Dec 1 First Sunday Advent
• Dec 7 Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day
• Dec 8 Feast of the Immaculate Conception
• Dec 17 Wright Brothers Day
• Dec 17 Pan American Aviation Day
• Dec 21 December Solstice
• Dec 24 Christmas Eve
• Dec 25 Christmas Day
• Dec 26 Kwanzaa (until Jan 1)
• Dec 31 New Year’s Eve

If your not happy with your school deciding to not do holidays or what not, join the PTA- PTO and get involved in the decision making-

I celebrate. I will do anything for a cupcakelovethis Do I celebrate all the above- no, I pick and choose and hope to not offend anyone. My celebrations are small. I have the kids take home Valentines, Birthday presents, and Christmas presents to open with their parents. Celebrating special days is fun and tradition and just something I want to do. If I had a Jewish kid, I would celebrate some of that and sometimes I do celebrate or talk about it just because I Want to. I also ask that parents are involved but if someone chooses to not be involved I don't let it bother me or make drama out of it. Another thing is I feel like I am a stepping stone to school and if they learn to take part here, hopefully they will take part when they go school and be involved in the little's schooling. No Guarantees-

With my family I celebrate to the ability that I am able to. Some years we have not had the money to do anything and others are more fun.

When my kids were young a few years we made valentines. I pulled out the craft stuff and we made each class member one, maybe stuck a ly on the back of it. Some years I was lazy and bought them.

I say do what floats your boat. I do see teachable moments but I also see fun and memories for something that comes around once a year and the majority of peeps take part in on some level.

Now Shamrock shakes........ come on how fun is that!!!

[Country Kids]

If your not happy with your school deciding to not do holidays or what not, join the PTA- PTO and get involved in the decision making-

I celebrate. I will do anything for a cupcakelovethis Do I celebrate all the above- no, I pick and choose and hope to not offend anyone. My celebrations are small. I have the kids take home Valentines, Birthday presents, and Christmas presents to open with their parents. Celebrating special days is fun and tradition and just something I want to do. If I had a Jewish kid, I would celebrate some of that and sometimes I do celebrate or talk about it just because I Want to. I also ask that parents are involved but if someone chooses to not be involved I don't let it bother me or make drama out of it. Another thing is I feel like I am a stepping stone to school and if they learn to take part here, hopefully they will take part when they go school and be involved in the little's schooling. No Guarantees-

With my family I celebrate to the ability that I am able to. Some years we have not had the money to do anything and others are more fun.

When my kids were young a few years we made valentines. I pulled out the craft stuff and we made each class member one, maybe stuck a ly on the back of it. Some years I was lazy and bought them.

I say do what floats your boat. I do see teachable moments but I also see fun and memories for something that comes around once a year and the majority of peeps take part in on some level.

Now Shamrock shakes........ come on how fun is that!!!

The thing is with this particular school and other schools in the area I'm noticing that the final decision is now up to the principal. We have had things change alot due to a new principle and how they want things run. The pta, pto has to have it approved first and if its something the priciple doesn't want its a no go.

[Play Care]

I do celebrate some of the holidays at dc because I tie them into our monthly themes. The kids do learn about the history and meaning behind the day. BUT I'll admit I have scaled back, although for probably the opposite reason most would think - my parents went overboard with it. Every holiday was a gift bag full of toys and treats, and they would keep reminding the kids about the party, etc. I would go all out - playing special games, making special treats, etc. only to have the kids seem let down that there wasn't more to it!

I guess I would be annoyed since they made this decision so close to the day and many of the kids probably already had their Valentine cards made out. I think it they are going to make those blanket bans, then it should be done prior to the start of the school year.

[EchoMom]

Until 2 years ago I was an elementary classroom teacher. Until a few months ago my mom was a classroom teacher for 20+ years. This is something we talk about often...

This is rarely rarely the parents, teacher, or principal's fault. This is a result of the political pressure on education in our country overall. TEACHERS are not the policy makers, politicians are. They don't understand whatsoever what it takes to teach children, and that children are very very different depending upon the demographic they come from.

Schools are EXPECTED to have ALL children reach a level of achievement success, primarly marked by testing. EVERYONE is feeling the effects of this and it is ruining childhood education, IMO. Believe me, it is horrible for everyone. There is no TIME for parties because of the constant assessing and the way the curriculum has been so pushed down to raise the measurement standards to younger and younger children, whether they're ready or not. It's awful, IMO.

This affects not only parties, but recess, art time, fun time, social time, etc etc etc. But don't even get me started, I could really go on and on about the state of education and what it's become...

[mom2many]

I think it's sad that this school has decided to stop celebrating Valentine's Day. I remember having fond memories of exchanging valentine cards with classmates, but back then, candy and other sweets were not part of it...just simple little cards.

I can totally understand limiting the sugar intake during class time! I know what it is like to have my S/A dcks come home after "celebrating"...& if it's a rainy day & they can't play outside, I'm really in trouble!

I always do a simple little valentine craft with the younger ones to take home to their parents and depending on the age I have, I make heart shaped sugar cookies for them to decorate w/frosting & sprinkles. However, this is a morning activity and the S/A get a "healthy" snack when they get home, since they are usually sugared out anyways.

I don't ever make a huge deal with individual valentines for them either. Just something little. This year I got teddy grahams to put in little cellophane bags and am attaching a heart shaped tag that says, "Bear Hugs from _____ Happy Valentine's Day!" (Gotta LOVE pinterest for ideas, since I am "creativity handicapped"!) ::

I'm all about finding a reason to make every day special & fun and simply use this day to celebrate love & friendship! lovethis

[Evansmom]

Until 2 years ago I was an elementary classroom teacher. Until a few months ago my mom was a classroom teacher for 20+ years. This is something we talk about often...

This is rarely rarely the parents, teacher, or principal's fault. This is a result of the political pressure on education in our country overall. TEACHERS are not the policy makers, politicians are. They don't understand whatsoever what it takes to teach children, and that children are very very different depending upon the demographic they come from.

Schools are EXPECTED to have ALL children reach a level of achievement success, primarly marked by testing. EVERYONE is feeling the effects of this and it is ruining childhood education, IMO. Believe me, it is horrible for everyone. There is no TIME for parties because of the constant assessing and the way the curriculum has been so pushed down to raise the measurement standards to younger and younger children, whether they're ready or not. It's awful, IMO.

This affects not only parties, but recess, art time, fun time, social time, etc etc etc. But don't even get me started, I could really go on and on about the state of education and what it's become...

This is what I was trying to say but you said it much, much, better.

[juliebug]

My kids are going to be so hyped up on candy that i would love their school to cancel they did change things up this year and shortened all partys are at the end of the day and only for 30min so that really changed they used to last 1hr or more. i really don't see why the kids need more candy sugar or treats. if it was exchanging cards, playing games, sure but every party around here centers on food and candy!!! none of it healthy either!