Each Friday, we share a handful of links we found interesting, provocative, funny — or just plain cool. We call it In Our Feeds. Enjoy!

Did you know that how engaged a child is in kindergarten may determine success later on in their academic life? Check out this article in The New York Times‘ Motherlode blog that discusses the effectiveness of early childhood engagement and it’s effectiveness later on in the child’s life.

Sweets for the sweet? According to The Huffington Post, the Principal at Horace Mann School in Newton, Mass. has banned Valentine’s Day candy at the school—at least until after the final bell rings. Instead of candy, the principal encourages sharing origami, bookmarks, and nice notes to celebrate Valentine’s Day. The story was also featured on MY FOX Boston.

I’ve been in nail salons where people get french manicures or acrylic tips, but designs based on their favorite books? NOT! Check out  Flavorwire’s story about some very cool nail art based on books we all know and love.  Do any of the nails represent your favorite books?

Last but certainly not least – can writing letters change one’s life?  MediaBistro recently posted a story about the author of the Save Snail Mail blog and how writing letters changed her life.

Thanks for reading! Come back to On Our Minds next Friday to see what’s new in our feeds…same time, same place.