Spread the Love: How a New Kensington Third Grade Class Celebrates Valentine’s Day While Exploring the World

At Mary Queen of Apostles Catholic School in New Kensington, Mrs. Kendall’s third-grade class has an exciting Valentine’s Day project. It’s called “Hearts Around the World.” This fun activity combines social media, geography, and math in a way that gets everyone involved.

Here’s how it works: students receive Valentine’s Day cards from all 50 states and countries globally. The school initially shared this project on their social media, and Mrs. Kendall sent letters home to explain it. Parents helped spread the word by sharing flyers with friends and family across the nation.

“This is our second year doing it,” said Mrs. Kendall. “It just keeps getting bigger!” After the cards arrive, students display them on a wall in the hallway. They then count how many cards they received from each state and country. This data will be used to create a bar graph, making math fun and engaging.

Principal Cathy Collett feels this project brings something special to the school. “It shows that people care. It’s important for kids to know they are thought of,” she said. The excitement in Mrs. Kendall’s classroom is contagious. Each day, students eagerly anticipate which cards they will open next. Even if cards come from the same state, the joy of sharing love from different places keeps the enthusiasm alive.

So far, they’ve received cards from nearly every state. They’re just waiting on Alaska, Rhode Island, and Vermont, and they’ve heard from eight countries, including Canada, England, and Japan. Mrs. Kendall hopes to get cards from all 50 states this year. Florida has sent the most, making it a standout participant.

The students are learning about geography in a fun way. Third-grader Nicholas Yohe discovered that New Zealand is a separate country, not just part of Australia. “Maybe someday, I’ll visit New Zealand,” he said, smiling at the thought.

Support from parents has been fantastic. The project is full of innovation and excitement. It encourages learning while keeping things fun. “It puts a spark in the day,” said Principal Collett.

Sicilia Santucci, another third grader, expressed her gratitude. “I would tell Mrs. Kendall thank you for this opportunity,” she said. It’s clear that this project is more than just cards; it’s about spreading kindness and learning together.

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