Embedded Files
Within the halls of Muscatine Highschool holds Ms. Cromer's classroom which is home to an annual Valentines day party.
Mahayla Martin, 24'
For a total of seven years, Ms. Cromer, an English teacher at MHS, has been throwing Valentines Day parties in the comfort of her classroom.
Ms. Cromer previously taught at a middle school in Solon, where she first learned of these parties. While teaching there she hosted Valentine parties for five years. She has now brought the tradition to Muscatine.
While teaching in Solon, she saw that the middle school was throwing Valentines parties, “When I went to Solon and we did these Valentine's parties, I thought they were very little kid-ish and then I saw the effect that they had on kids and I was like, ´Oh I need to change my attitude,´” said Cromer.
Ms. Cromer decided to bring the tradition to Muscatine High School as a way to lift the spirits of her students during the, otherwise, dreary winter months. “I just felt like we needed, once and a while, to do something that was just fun and made people feel good. Particularly in the winter when everything is awful,” said Cromer.
Grace Zorich, junior, spreading Valentines cheer!
Within these parties, there is no obligation to participate, she allows each class to decide whether or not they should celebrate Valentines together. “I ask each class and basically see if there is enough interest. In my first period, tenth grade class, we talked about it but they are always like half-awake and I was like if you don’t want to do it we don't have to. No one is forced to participate, you don't have to do anything you don't want to do,” said Cromer.
As everyone knows, there is no party without snacks. However, Ms. Cromer implements a very important rule in order to make sure that everyone is included. This rule is formally known as the ‘elementary school rule’.
“The elementary school rule is that if you bring Valentines for people you have to bring one for everybody in the class. The whole point is to make people feel good and I think the quickest way to make someone feel bad is to leave them out,” said Cromer.
On top of students providing food for their peers, Ms. Cromer decides to join in on the festivities.
Aubrey Bender. junior, with her Valentines gift!
“I make sure I have Valentines for everyone. I get suckers for everybody because that's easy to do for all of the classes. I also get art supplies so that people can make boxes to receive their Valentines in,” said Cromer.
Even if you don’t have Ms. Cromer as a teacher, or if you decide not to celebrate Valentines, make sure to spread love to your peers this year.
Page updated
Report abuse