The halls of The University of Memphis Campus School are adornedwith Valentine's Day artwork, including poems framed by red andpink hearts.
Judith Thomson's sixth grade class have created the Works ofHeart project that greets school visitors.
Despite the fancy decorations, many Campus School students arestill unsure what the holiday is all about.
"I don't know what it celebrates," said 11-year-old AdrienneJackson. "It's a day to eat chocolate."
Adrienne isn't the only student in Thomson's class with vagueideas of what the holiday means.
"It's like a holiday you spend with your girlfriend,"12-year-old Bradley Young told his friend, Samuel Persum, 12.
"No, it's a day to have a party. A time to have joy and stuff,and I don't have a girlfriend," Samuel said.
Though some students may be divided on what Valentine's Day is,the Campus School wants to make it a day for students to celebrateeach other and America's veterans.
"I try not to concentrate too much on boy-girl love in theclassroom. Rather, I talk about how to be careful of other'sfeelings," Thomson said. "I use the example of the Andy GriffithShow to demonstrate different kinds of love, like they have inMayberry."
The older children are more aware of the different layers oflove, she said. Thomson said she tells her class that when sheraises her voice to ask them to be quiet or to concentrate on theirwork, it's a part of love, and not all love is about feelinggood.
In addition to the usual card and candy exchanges, every studentparticipates in the national program Valentines for Vets, honoringhospitalized veterans.
The program was started here four years ago with help from The Uof M ROTC unit, but now the school does the event on its own, saidMary Larrick, who has taught at the Campus School for 26 years andis now head of the art department.
"Students design their own cards. We don't correct them,"Larrick said. "They say things like 'Thank you for honoringAmerica' and 'Get well' and also 'Wishing a happy Valentine'sDay.'"
Sixth grader Ashley Denton wrote a poem entitled "We Owe You SoMuch" in her handmade valentine for a veteran.
"I like to write poetry, and I wrote my poem because I'mthankful for those in the war and what they've done for ourcountry," Ashley said.
Thomson said she enjoys doing the outreach program forveterans.
"It's nice, because kids can be self-centered, and this way theyare reaching out to others, and it teaches them about the differentkinds of love," she said.
The cards are a way to teach students the importance ofcommunity involvement, helping those who need it and showingappreciation, Larrick said.
"It's a good cause, but it's really sad that they almost losttheir minds or maybe their sight, and it's bad because they mighthave nightmares when they sleep," Adrienne said of veterans.
Thomson's plan for Valentine's Day also includes having thechildren exchange valentines. The students will also participate inFine Dining, a new program that reinforces Thomson's lessons onsharing and thinking about others.
"Each student is assigned another student in the room, and theyget to pick the menu and cook for them," said Thomson.
The students prepare the meals at home and bring them in Fridayfor their assigned classmate.
"Valentine's for Vets"
You are the heart of the U.S.A.
We appreciate you every day.
Without you we wouldn't be here.
If you think about it,
It's hard to hold back a tear.
So, if you cry,
Cry for joy!
For you saved the lives of
Many a girl and many a boy.
by Ashley Alexandria Denton
Grade 6, U of M Campus School
