Valentine’s Exchange

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Compass holds an annual Valentines Exchange for studentsthe week before Valentines Day. Children enjoy creating unique, personalized shoebox-sized “mailboxes” to receive Valentines. The Valentines exchange is optional, but typically around 50-60 students participate. Younger siblings who are not yet taking Compass classes are also invited to participate. Students are asked to drop off their mailboxes 1-2 days before the exchange so Compass staff can set up the “Post Office.” Then, students deliver Valentines on the Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday before Valentines Day and collect their boxes at the end of the exchange.

The Valentines exchange is for students who are currently enrolled in Compass classes. A link to sign up for Valentines will be sent to registered winter quarter students during the 3rd week of January. Families are asked to RSVP so those students who are preparing cards know how many to make. Additional information about the exchange follows:

  • Valentines Details

    Mailbox
    Each child should create a “mailbox” to receive Valentines. They should decorate and personalize a shoebox-sized box with paper, stickers, hearts, doilies, pictures, cut-outs, etc. Encourage your child to personalize them and design a mailbox that reflects his/her interests! Cut a slot or flap in the box that is 3/4 – 1 inch wide for others to drop in Valentines. Most children chose to put their first names on their mailboxes.

    Cards
    Bring approximately 50-60 Valentines addressed to “Friend” to place in other children’s boxes. (This is a preliminary estimate based on participation in past years. Once families have signed up, you will be e-mailed with an updated count.) Your child will not necessarily know whose box is whose when passing out Valentines, so it is very difficult to have boy and girl-specific Valentines or ones addressed to specific individuals.

    Valentines can be store bought or hand-made, your choice.

    Please have your child sign the Valentines with at least his/her first name. Each family can decide if they are comfortable signing last names or other identifying information.

    Treats
    It is OK, but not required, to include candy, treats, or trinkets with the Valentines. Each family needs to communicate with their children what their own rules are for eating candy from their Valentines mailboxes. Please do not include treats with nuts. Candy and treats cannot be eaten in classrooms.

    Have fun!