Donna’s Day: Send ‘in-house’ valentines to those you love School menu

from Sunday Signal February 9, 2020

Sweet, luscious snacks for loved ones

KIDS &FAMILY Donna’s Day: Creative Family Fun ‘Send’ in-house valentines to those you love

By Donna Erickson Signal Contributing Writer W ho doesn't like receiving a little compliment now and then? Positive, sincere words are an affirmation of actions and intent, and they give the recipient a boost, sometimes just when least expected. Blush! Face it — validation from others just makes us feel good and creates that internal glow. Provide the good medicine of encouragement and positive vibes in a large dose with this decorative inhouse family valentine box. All ages, even your preschoolers, can put pen to paper and compose simple heartfelt messages of love and appreciation to one another, day to day until Valentine's Day, adding a hand-drawn emoji for that special touch. Here's how to make the box and share kind Valentine's Day sentiments: Cut a 3-inch slot down the middle of a shoebox lid. Cover the lid and the box separately with colorful paper,

leaving the slot open. Decorate the lid and the box with valentine-themed materials, such as heart-shaped doilies, stickers and hearts cut from construction paper. For extra writing fun, cut out letters or words from the newspaper to

CLIP N SAVE Elementary School Menus Menus courtesy of Santa Clarita Valley School Food Services which serves these school districts: Castaic USD • Newhall USD • Saugus USD • Sulphur Springs USD

(choice of one entree, seasonal fruit and milk)

Monday, Feb. 10

Tuesday, Feb. 11

Wednesday, Feb. 12

Thursday, Feb. 13

BREAKFAST LUNCH Banana Muffin & String Cheese Breakfast Bun Cereal Chilled Fruit Fruit Juice Rodeo Roundup Burger & Spicy Curly Fries Chicken Nuggets Cheesy Pillow Pull Aparts Smart Choice Pizza Seasonal Salad Bar Cinnamon Toast Breakfast Bun Cereal Chilled Fruit Fresh Fruit Turkey Taco Dippin’ Chicken Smart Choice Pizza Seasonal Salad Bar Breakfast Bagel Breakfast Bun Cereal Chilled Fruit Fresh Fruit Fruit Juice Hot Dog (turkey) on a Bun Dippin’ Chicken PBJ Sandwich & String Cheese Smart Choice Pizza Seasonal Salad Bar Chocolate Chip Cookie

Skillet Omelet & Tortilla Breakfast Bun Cereal Chilled Fruit Fresh Fruit Orange Chicken w/Rice Corn Dog-chicken Smart Choice Pizza Seasonal Salad Bar Swee’Heart Cherry Ice create simple Valentine's Day sayings, and glue them on the box, too. Place the lid on the box and tape the sides together. Next, tape a small notepad and pencil or pen on a string to the top of the box. Between now and Valentine's Day, keep the box on your kitchen table. Encourage all family members, and even friends who stop by, to pull a piece of paper off the notepad and jot down a special Valentine's note to each member of the family. Keep the comments coming, and encourage one another to be positive! Notes might include comments such as the following: “Katie, you bake great cookies! Love, Dad” or “Mom, Thanks for picking me up from volleyball practice every day. Jessie.” On Valentine's Day, gather together for a special meal. Open the box and take turns reading the big stack of “love” notes that have accumulated. Enthusiasm will have been building throughout the days preceding Valentine's Day, so expect your kids to be quite excited! \ Donna Erickson’s award-winning series “Donna’s Day” is airing on public television nationwide. To find more of her creative family recipes and activities, visit www.donnasday.com and link to the NEW Donna’s Day Facebook fan page. Her latest book is “Donna Erickson’s Fabulous Funstuff for Families.”