U.S. school's Valentine's Day ban sparks debate in Saskatchewan

Should elementary schools in Saskatchewan be choo-choo choosing to celebrate Valentine's Day?

The debate has been ignited on social media after an elementary school in Saint Paul, Minn. decided to eliminate Valentine's Day activities. The school said it is discontinuing "the celebration of the dominant holidays" in an effort to be "inclusive of our student population".

The school's principal said it was a difficult decision, but social media quickly responded to the news with plenty of opinions.

It'd kind of be like a bummer because a lot of kids grow up handing out Valentines.- Grade 7 student Jessica Toomer

In Regina, both the public and Catholic school boards said they don't restrict celebrating any holidays. They said activities like handing out cards and treats on Valentine's Day is up to individual schools and classrooms.

Regina parent Kelly Gherasim said she wouldn't care either way, but she makes sure no kids are left out.

"I think teachers have a responsibility to send home a class list and parents have the responsibility make sure that all Valentines are sent to schools," Gherasim said. "So I would hope that that's what would happen."

Gherasim knows that wasn't always the case when she was a kid.

"People were favoured. Your friends got you Valentines. That was it. It wasn't a class list."

Grade 7 student Jessica Toomer said it would be disappointing if her school didn't allow Valentines.

"It'd kind of be a bummer because a lot of kids grow up handing out Valentines," Toomer said. "They kind of get to spend their afternoon hanging out. I just usually hand out Valentine's stuff ."

On Twitter, many people said outright banning Valentine's Day activities would be "silly":

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