Valentine’s Day is not just about hearts and chocolates at Ojai Valley School. Rather, our elementary students took time this week to consider the meaning of compassion, sacrifice, and love — and then sought to brighten the spirits of wounded veterans in Southern California.
Students in grades K-4 wrote Valentine greetings to wounded soldiers at the VA Hospital in Los Angeles as part of the traditional “Valentines for Veterans” project. Spearheaded by second-grade teacher Darcie George, and now in its 25th year, the Valentines project was more than a writing exercise — it allowed the children to share their heartfelt appreciation.
“I’m sad that you are in the hospital, but I am glad that you and your friends fight for our country,” wrote one student.
Lower Campus Head of School Karen Morse read some of the Valentines during an all-school assembly on Thursday, Feb. 13, and praised the children for recognizing the sacrifices of veterans and military families.