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LIIDLII KUE/FORT SIMPSON - Valentine's Day by any other name is just as sweet.

Students from Class 4 at Bompas elementary school in Fort Simpson spread some Valentine's Day cheer with a Slavey twist on Feb. 13.

Students Grace-Lee Arbeau, right, and Alyssa Yallee work on a puzzle with elder Corrine Modeste after handing out Valentine's Day cards at Long Term Care in Fort Simpson. - Roxanna Thompson/NNSL photo

The 18 students gave special Valentine's Day cards to the elders and residents at Long Term Care in the village.

Instead of the normal sentiments like "Be Mine" or "Happy Valentine's Day" each of the cards contained the hand written message "eleghohnits' eto dze k'eh nahe gha gonozu."

Translated from Slavey to English, the message roughly means "Have a good day on people loving each other day."

Leanne Lawley, the class' teacher, planned the cards and the student's visit.

Lawley said she tries to incorporate at least one visit to Long Term Care for the students each year.

The class was enthusiastic about the idea of a Valentine's visit.

"They were excited," she said.

In the week leading up to Valentine's Day the students cut out their heart-shaped cards and coloured them during their Slavey classes.

All of the students learned how to say the verse on the cards so they could repeat it to the elders, said Lawley.

The students also brought some sweet treats along.

On Thursday the class spent some time in the kitchen mixing and baking batches of peanut butter and chocolate chunk cookies to share.

The visit to Long Term Care fit in with more than just Valentine's Day, said Lawley.

This term the school is focusing on the caring aspect of their motto- a safe, caring team.

The theme of the month for the Slavey classes also happens to be elders, she said.

The visit was also a way to get the students active in the community.

"When I've taken the kids here in the past the elders are really excited to see them," Lawley said.

William Alger, 10, said he enjoyed the chance to visit Long Term Care and bring along some Valentine's cheer.

"I'm glad I could see my auntie and my uncle," said Alger, referring to Sarah and Felix McPherson.

Alger said it was a "pretty good" idea to make the cards and the cookies to hand out.

The residents enjoy having young visitors, said Erin Wyatt, a rehabilitation therapy assistant and recreation co-ordinator at Long Term Care.

"They really like it. It makes it more of a party, too," Wyatt said.

The students' visit kicked off the Valentine's themed party at the facility, which also included Valentine's balloons, candles, pink punch and Valentine's themed games.