The Dakota Valley Parent Teacher Organization is back, once again, to help the school raise education funds.

                At the beginning of the decade, the PTO began a Valentine’s fundraiser. Students can purchase assorted items to give their significant other. The first year only carnations were sold. Throughout the years many other items have been sold, including post-it notes and chocolate. The items are great gift ideas for parents, siblings, teachers, and friends.

                The fundraiser has been a large benefit for the school. Last year they raised more than 1,700 dollars on the Valentine’s fundraiser. The money was raised through the sale of various colored carnations and chocolate bars. Students and teachers receive their money they spent back when all funds are used for school supplies, field trips, and various incentives, like the Accelerated Reader store.

                At around the same time of the year, it has also proved difficult for students, especially pre-teen middle school-ers, to awe their fellow classmates in their quest to win over the opposite sex.

For Valentine’s Day, some girls fantasize of feeling special.

                “He’d give her flowers and a cute note and take them somewhere that means a lot to them,” said eighth grader Callie Frisch.

                Meanwhile boys tend to struggle to grasp what a young girl desires from her Valentine.

                “I’d take them to Olive Garden and give chocolate,” said eighth grader Wade Treloar.

                But not to fear, the PTO fundraiser is ready to help. Along with the tradition of carnations and Hershey’s chocolate bars, this year Wrigley’s Extra sugar-free gum and microwave popcorn will be sold. Order forms can be picked up in the office and are due by January 31.

Gifts will be delivered on Friday, February 13. Carnations will not be delivered in the elementary due to the destruction of flowers in previous years.