Parents upset over elementary school teacher opting out of Valentine’s Day
By: Amanda Pitts
alpitts@abc6.com
@APittsABC6
NORTH PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) – A classroom in one elementary school in North Providence won’t be celebrating Valentine’s Day this year.
A teacher at Joseph A. Whelan Elementary School sent a letter to parents on Monday saying her classroom will not be passing out anything for Valentine’s Day.
“When I was in elementary school, we used to do the little notes and stuff to each other,” said parent Lisa Nelson.
The letter is circulating social media, many parents upset with the teacher’s decision.
“I just think it’s absurd, I really do. It’s teaching your children no love, no kindness.”
Candace, whose son goes to Whelan but is not in that class, heard the news from another parent while picking up valentines at the store.
“She showed me it on her phone and I just was shocked.”
The teacher’s reasoning, according to the letter, is that she has families and students that don’t observe the so-called Hallmark holiday.
“It’s wrong that all the other classes get to do it except for that one class. I feel bad for the children. I would feel like my son was out of place, and he wasn’t loved and he wasn’t thought about.”
Candace hopes the teacher will change her mind, and the kids will get their valentines.
“That’s exactly what my son is gonna do tomorrow when he gives his valentines to his friends. He’s gonna spread the love.”
We reached out to Whelan Elementary School, they declined to comment.
(c) WLNE-TV 2019
