Lead teacher Alicia Cope explained she and assistant teacher Lauren Martin believe in including their students’ families as much as possible in the education process. So they asked families to reach out to their friends and ask them to send Valentine’s Day cards to the preschool with a fun fact in each one to help educate the youngsters.

The project, eventually named Hearts Across America, was born after a visit to a preschool teacher’s suggestion website. 

“I originally thought that we would be able to learn about a couple states and the concept of all the states being a nation,” said Cope, not expecting how the project eventually would take off.

They received cards from 37 states, Puerto Rico, St. Thomas and even from China and Peru.

Callum Sferra’s aunt Debra sent this Valentine from Tennessee and used the opportunity to share why Tennessee is called the Volunteer State, focusing their willingness to step by for military service - particularly with the War of 1812. (Photo by Stephanie Ujhelyi)

Through the cards, students have learned some locations have volcanoes, like Hawaii.  Also mountains, bridges, state birds, state flowers and animals that live in a particular state.

“Did you know that Utah’s state snack is Jell-o?,” Cope added. 

Missing states are Louisiana, Mississippi, Idaho, Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa, Vermont, New Hampshire and –surprising as it is so close –West Virginia.

While most states offered fun facts, the card sent from China included currency for 10 Hong Kong dollars tucked away from teachers to talk about the importance of money in everyday life. 

Per the conversation rate, a 10 Hong Kong dollar bill is the equivalent of $1.27 U.S. dollars,

This 10 Hong Kong dollar bill was included in a card received from the country of China. The senders wanted the Leetonia Bears To Be teachers to talk to the preschoolers about using money. (Photo by Stephanie Ujhelyi)

The class received more than 92 in all, which now hang on the wall outside the preschool classroom, which is located in the Leetonia K-12 building.  

“As we opened each card, we shared the included fun fact,” Cope explained, adding that it had turned out to be a tremendous learning experience especially when the one arrived amid a volcanic eruption.

Cope and Martin have a total of 19 students enrolled.