Attendance Doubles At Middle Gate Fathers’ Breakfast

By Larissa Lytwyn

It was definitely a guy thing at the Middle Gate Elementary School’s second annual Fathers’ Pancake Breakfast.

Students could invite their fathers, grandfathers, uncles or other significant male figures in their lives.

Donning chef’s aprons and hats, faculty members volunteered to whip up he-man sized stacks of hot, fluffy pancakes for the crowd to enjoy.

 “The Breakfast was designed by the Leadership Council [a committee of teachers, administrators, parents and community members] to further their goal of fostering student achievement,” said lead teacher Judy Beers. “Research shows that when fathers are more involved with their children’s education, the children’s academic achievement level increases.”

This year, the Leadership Council decided to focus on supporting the involvement of men in children’s education through the “Male Initiative,” said the event’s co-chair, Jay Mihalko.

Attendance numbers doubled, she continued, evident through this year’s additional need of space to accommodate the attendees.

After breakfast, students like first grader Evan Savaris were eager to show their dads’ their classrooms and school project.

“I think coming here is very important,” Evan’s father, Phil, said. “I’m a sales manager who has to travel a lot. This breakfast was a good chance to have some extra time with my son!”

Evan beamed. 

Ray Gallagher, father of Connor and Daniel, agreed.

“We love being active in the schools,” he said. “It’s a great thing to do. We were here last year, too.”

Mr Gallagher feels fortunate to be self-employed; his wife and he run their own landscaping business.

“Seeing the rising number of men involved [with Middle Gate] is truly encouraging,” said Ms Beers. “I’ve also been seeing more fathers at PTA meetings. It’s fantastic!”