Valentine's Day

This week each classroom in the Lower School will have celebrations for Valentine’s Day.  Where did this day come from and why do we celebrate it?  The roots of Valentine’s Day go back to at least the year 270.  It is thought that there was a priest by the name of Valentine that fell into disfavor with the Roman Emperor of the time Claudius II.  The rest of the history is somewhat murky.  There are various legends that draw on Claudius II.  One legend claims that Claudius II would not allow young men to marry because he thought they were better soldiers if they were bachelors.  Valentine, the priest, continued to perform marriage ceremonies and eventually he was found out and put to death by the Romans.  A second legend says that Valentine was sent to prison by Claudius II.  While in prison he met the daughter of the jailer and fell in love.  He supposedly sent her a letter before his execution that he signed “from your Valentine.”  

From a classical sense, it was thought that Chaucer was the first to connect Valentine’s Day with love and romance.  Chaucer composed a poem to celebrate the engagement of Richard II to Anne of Bohemia.  The poem The Parliament of Fowls was composed in 1381.

For this was on St. Valentine's Day,
When every fowl cometh there to choose his mate.

The tradition of sharing and exchanging cards and gifts evolved over the years and became common in England in the 18^th century.  It did eventually come to America and a woman named Esther A. Howland has been given credit with producing the first commercial valentines in the 1850s.  As we know the holiday has become quite commercial and I read that 25% of all greeting cards sent are in fact Valentine’s Day cards.  

We, of course, don’t share this entire history with our young students.  We are, however, trying to help them focus on a meaning for Valentine’s Day besides just a party and paper valentines.  We are trying to help them understand that love and kindness are the best meanings of the day, concentrating less on the commercial and more on the intent behind our gestures of kindness.

One of the ways we can share kindness and love is through the latest community service project at Eagle Ridge Academy.  I mentioned last week the entire school is participating in the Pennies for Patients program being organized by the 7^th grade House.  You probably saw a box come home with your child for collecting your pennies last week. In our first week of the project the Eagle Ridge Academy community raised almost $800.  There is a Facebook page dedicated to the project.  Just search Eagle Ridge Academy Pennies for Patients 2013 for more updates and results.

Kindness was also demonstrated to some of our Lower School students when two firefighters from the Chanhassen Fire Department volunteered to share fire safety education with our K-2 students.  John Williams (parent of Luke and Taylor) and Matt Jackson came to school on Friday, February 1^st to do two programs about fire safety.  The students watched a brief video, saw equipment, and learned important fire safety tips.  Below are a few pictures of the different programs.  Thanks to the firefighters for coming and to Mrs. Williams and Mrs. Bradley for organizing the events. 

If you are interested in getting yearbook for your child for the 2012-13 school year, time is running out.  Below is a message from our Lower School Yearbook Advisor:

Hello Lower School Parents:

We are currently taking online orders for Lower School yearbooks through Jostens. While in past years sales have continued well into April, this year we need to guarantee that all books produced are sold. Families that are interested in ordering the Lower School K-5 yearbook need to do so by Friday, February 22nd. There are currently only 45 left for sale. The price is $25 per book. Please follow the link below to order. Questions regarding the yearbook can be directed to Mrs. Madigan, our Lower School yearbook advisor.

http://www.jostens.com/apps/shop/yrbk_catalog.asp?cid=277519&pfid=2012102704175053357

Notes and Reminders

-There is no school on Friday, February 15^th due to a teacher professional development day and no school on Monday, February 18^th due to Presidents Day.  There is all day TEL available on both days.  Please go to the TEL website to register.

Have a wonderful week!

Mrs. Baier