Bell first heard about the need for cards on a local radio station and immediately knew she wanted her students to be part of it. For Bell, this project hits close to home.
“My daughter had been in Children’s Hospital when she was younger quite a few times, and one of those times was around Christmas,” Bell said. “We were given gifts, so I know what it feels like to be on the receiving end of these things when you're in a difficult time.”
The goal is simple—create fun, uplifting messages that bring a smile to a child’s face. “They're asking for Valentines with simple messages—something that brings a smile to these patients' faces, rather than pointing out that they're sick in the hospital,” Bell explained.
The students have embraced the project, sharing words of encouragement, well wishes, and even humor. “Some of the students are writing jokes, something silly to make them laugh,” Bell said.
One student, Skyler, came up with a unique design: “You draw two hearts, write a joke on one, and then tell them to open the other heart to reveal the punchline.” Another student, Maddie, kept it classic: “Just ‘Happy Valentine’s Day.’”
The impact of this project goes beyond making cards; it's teaching students about two Moral Focus virtues, compassion and perseverance. “We’ve been talking a lot about perseverance, and this gives them the experience of being able to encourage someone else to keep going,” Bell said.
For the students, the project is an opportunity to connect with other children in a meaningful way. When asked how making the cards made them feel, Adrien described it as “Heartwarming,” while Bri simply said, “Happy.” Their hope is that the children receiving these Valentines will feel the same.
The class has created more than 30 cards, with some students making as many as three each. “I just am very proud of them,” Bell said. “Some of the cards that they’ve turned in, I just am like, ‘Wow, you came up with that on your own.’ It’s been amazing to see them put their minds to work.”
This Valentine’s Day, thanks to the kindness of these scholars, children at Children’s Hospital Colorado will get a little extra love and maybe even a few laughs!
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About Foundations Academy
Foundations Academy is a tuition-free, public charter school in Brighton, Colorado, serving students in kindergarten through eighth grade. It is part of the National Heritage Academies (NHA®) network, which includes more than 100 tuition-free, public charter schools serving more than 65,000 students in kindergarten through 12th grade across nine states. For more information, visit nhaschools.com.
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