Class valentines

What It Means

Class valentines are the cards, stickers or small treats a child hands out to classmates for a Valentine's Day celebration at school. Some classes ask for one for every child so nobody is left out, which turns the job into counting, buying and writing names. Schools set their own rules on food in class, and CDC's guidance for schools leans toward nonfood items because of food allergies.

How People Say It

• "Do I really have to write all 22 names?"
• "The teacher said cards only, no candy."
• "Can we do pencils instead of lollipops this year?"

The Breakdown

How to do it

1. Ask the teacher for the class list and the class's rules: whether every child gets one, and whether food is allowed. CDC's guidance asks teachers to tell parents before any classroom activity that involves food.
2. Count: every child, plus teachers or aides if your child wants to include them, plus a couple of spares.
3. Pick nonfood valentines where you can, such as cards, stickers or pencils. CDC advises schools to use nonfood items for celebrations.
4. If treats are allowed, check the ingredient labels against any allergies the teacher has shared.
5. Watch the add-ons too. CDC lists play dough and modeling clay among classroom materials that can contain wheat.
6. Have your child write names a few at a time over a week rather than all in one night.

Short version to try today. Message the teacher for the class list and the food rule, and buy one pack more than the count if you're unsure.

Small toys. In a preschool room with children under 3, skip toys with small parts: CPSC bans them for that age, and requires choking warnings on those meant for ages 3 to 6.

Good to Know

Food rules for class celebrations are set by each school and teacher, so ask before adding candy. CDC's guidance for schools, written with food allergies in mind, favors nonfood items for celebrations and rewards, and its tip sheet for parents suggests offering teachers non-food ideas.

Related Terms and Categories

• Goody bags

  Small bags of treats or toys a party host hands each child to take home, also called party favors or loot bags.

• School supply list

  The list of supplies a teacher or school asks each student to bring for the year, such as notebooks, pencils, folders and art materials.

• Emailing a teacher

  Writing to your child's teacher by email to ask a question, share news or raise a concern, ideally short, specific and polite, with one topic per message.

• Allergen introduction

  Giving a baby common allergy-causing foods, such as peanut and egg, early in the first year to lower the chance of a food allergy.

Holidays and celebrations