Ottawa Jefferson students collect valentines from all 50 states, 22 countries

Students at Jefferson Elementary School in Ottawa received Valentines from all 50 states and 22 other countries.

The project began Jan. 14. Second grade teacher Carli Cade was inspired by a former colleague who shared the idea on social media.

“I took the idea to my principal on Jan. 14 and he said ‘go for it!’” Cade said.

Jefferson staff members shared the project info with students’ families as well as their families and friend groups.

“All we did was simply share the post on social media and share the project info/goal with our students' families,” Cade said. “As soon as our K-4 students knew about the project and our goal, they were so motivated to ask their family members and friends from all over the country/world to send Valentines to them.”

The month leading up to Valentine’s Day was filled with excitement and anticipation, Cade said. Each morning, her class would walk down to the display to tape up their new Valentines and add a heart to the map.

She said students began anticipating their Valentines and looking forward to the mail.

Teachers used this project as a learning experience and connected it to their writing units or social studies units. In Cade’s class, they had been learning about writing friendly letters, sending mail and how the United States Postal Service works.

“This Valentine’s Day project was a perfect connection to that learning,” she said.

“Personally, my favorite part of this project was the way my colleagues and I would just gather in front of the growing display and just smile. I truly feel like it boosted the morale of our staff members and students throughout the dreary winter months of January and February. We would often find ourselves gathered there in the mornings before school began or during our lunch periods.”

Cade said she was thankful to everyone who participated. She said it will be sad to take down the display, but students will get to take home the valentines mailed to them.

“I hope they can store them as a keepsake and hold this project close to their hearts for years to come.”