The women of the Penn Hills middle school community came together over heart-shaped cookies and pastries for a “Muffins with Mom” event the week before Valentine's Day.

School leaders said the program, which invited mothers, grandmothers and other female mentors to Linton Middle School for breakfast with female students last week, is part of an ongoing effort to get more parental and community involvement.

“We definitely want to bridge any gaps between home, school and the community,” said Cyrene Bey, an associate principal at Linton. “It takes a village to raise a child. Parents need help, and so do schools.”

Fifth-, sixth-, seventh- and eighth-graders each had breakfast with their mothers, grandmothers or female mentors.

Students and family members reacted positively to the gathering.

“It's a really nice event. It makes the kids feel special,” said Natausha Carter, parent of a sixth-grader.

“Especially for moms who don't have a lot of time.”

Her daughter, also named Natausha, said it was good to have her mom in the school for the morning.

“All my friends get to meet my mom,” the daughter said.

Mother Oksana Beloshetsay said that parental participation is important.

“To come in and see what the kids are doing in school is important,” Beloshetsay said.

Her daughter Deanna said she liked getting to spend time with her mom and introducing her to her friends.

Bey said the program drew a large response from the community, and Linton officials hope to continue it.

She said the school held a similar program for boys called “Donuts with Dad” that drew an even larger crowd in November. Volunteers from MAD DADS and the Penn Hills YMCA helped with the November event.

“We had a great outpouring of support from the community,” Bey said. “We definitely want to do it again.”

Kelsey Shea is a staff writer for the Tribune-Review. She can be reached at 412-320-7845 or kshea@tribweb.com.

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