Pancakes And Dads For Students At Middle Gate

By Eliza Hallabeck

Bear- and Mickey Mouse-shaped pancakes waited for students and fathers to arrive at Middle Gate School early last Thursday and Friday, September 25 and 26, with other regular pancakes, faculty, staff, and volunteers. 

This was the sixth annual Pancake Breakfast sponsored by the Parent Teacher Association at the school, where fathers have come to school with their children to eat pancakes before school starts and get a tour of the school to see where their children spend their days. 

“It’s a very special day for the students,” said Middle Gate Principal Judith Liestman.

Studies show that when fathers are involved in their child’s education, that child will excel academically, according to Ms Liestman, and that is why the PTA at the school has been hosting Pancake Breakfasts for fathers for the last couple of years. She said the breakfast event started when the faculty learned of the positive connection between a father’s involvement and the student’s learning.

“After the parents come here the students give them a tour of the school,” said Ms Liestman.

More than 200 people arrived each day for the breakfasts, and PTA members along with Middle Gate faculty, staff, and other volunteers were ready by 8 am each day to serve them pancakes.

Ms Liestman said the PTA members cook the pancakes, and the teachers do the flipping of the pancakes. More 5,000 pancakes were served during the two days, and Lori Carriero, the organizer of the project, said she bought 24 bottles of syrup for the event.

Two teachers are known at the Pancake Breakfast for their skill of creating bear-shaped pancakes and Mickey Mouse pancakes for the event.

“I’ve been doing this for six years,” said Pam Fagan, the math/science specialist at Middle Gate, who specializes in the Mickey Mouse pancakes, “and I make these for my grandchildren and my own children, too.”

Ms Fagan said there is no scientific tip to making a perfect Mickey Mouse pancake. “Just make three circles,” she said.

Tony Sortino, the physical education teacher at the school, said the best way to make his bear- shaped pancakes is also to make three circles.

“The students line up for them,” said Mr Sortino, “and sometimes the adults like them too.”

Syrup, chocolate chips, and whipped cream waited for the students at the end of the pancake table line to decorate their pancakes in anyway they want.

Ms Carriero, who organized the event for the first time this year, said the day is primarily for the fathers, because mothers are typically more involved in school activities.

“Moms are in the background helping out today,” said Ms Carriero.

The science lab and the music room were opened for the students to show their fathers exactly what they get to experience during their day at school.

“Who wouldn’t love pancakes and chocolate chips?” Ms Carriero said in response to how the two separate Pancake Breakfasts were going.

Students were allowed to invite their mothers or a grandparent to come if their fathers could not make it there for the day, according to Ms Carriero.

Riley Smith, a fourth grade, said she has been to a couple Pancake Breakfast events before in her time at Middle Gate School.

“I like getting the pancakes,” said Riley.

Ray Ferro sat with his granddaughter, Claire Swanson, at the same table as Riley.

“I like being here with my grandpa,” Claire said. Mr Ferro said he and his wife were watching their grandchildren for the weekend, and it just happened to fall on the time of the Pancake Breakfast.

Riley’s father, Chris Smith, said he has been to a number of the breakfasts, but he would never miss one.