Valentine’s Day in elementary school is a fond memory.
We always did a little “mailbox” for receiving our Valentine’s Day cards. And I had to painstakingly make out the cards. I remember my mom buying cards with 18 for students, and 2 for teachers. (Holiday cards are somewhat like this today.)
On or about the big day, we’d get to have a little party in the classroom, and open up our mailboxes.
In many ways, it was the first chance to see who liked who….even back in the day.
Was it corny? I suppose. Not any more corny than companies putting out Kisses on Valentine’s Day – although it CLEARLY shows someone cares.
I’ve read some parents want to abolish celebrating Valentine’s Day, citing it makes children uncomfortable, especially if the child has gender identification issues.
I hope elementary school Valentine’s Day isn’t abolished AND I don’t want children uncomfortable.
We can only shield our children so much. It’s very cold in New England today, and it makes me uncomfortable. So…I do have choices…stay in, or toss on a jacket and go out.
Why can’t we do the same with students? If they don’t want to participate in Valentine’s Day, they don’t have to.
We are rapidly getting to the point that being politically correct means we can never make anyone uncomfortable on anything.
While I never want to be offensive, it’s OK to have a differing view. We should value the differences, and not “make believe” they don’t exist.
By valuing differences, we actually move society forward through an engaging conversation.
The recent Occupy <insert city> protests brought about conversation. There was no single message, or spokesperson. (That’s a thoughtful message in itself.) It did bring some uncomfortable focus to the 1% vs the 99%, and the general economic state around the world.
So what are your thoughts? Abolish elementary school Valentine’s Day, or embrace differences?