LA PLATA, Md. – Before the start of the school day on Friday, Arthur Middleton Elementary School held a special event to honor important men in the lives of students. The “Main Man” event was the first of its kind for the Middleton community in several years.
Students invited a main man in their lives – their father, guardian, uncle, grandfather, brother or friend – to have breakfast with them at school. Participants feasted on donuts, juice, coffee and other breakfast pastries while playing tic-tac-toe, taking photos with donuts at a selfie station or just spending quality time with each other.
Scott family
Middleton parent Wayne Scott attended and had breakfast with his children, Emmanuel and Eliana. He said he was excited to spend the extra time at school with his kids. “I came today to show support for my kids. I love them with all of my heart and support them however possible. Why not attend?,” Scott said.
Geoffrey and Colin Dingle
Geoffrey Dingle attended to spend time with his two kids, Middleton third grader Colin and kindergartner Elana. “Today is awesome. This is the first time my Dad has come to my school for breakfast,” Colin Dingle said.
Middleton Principal Benjamin Harrington is new to the school this year. In addition to school community-building events, such as learning nights and open houses, Harrington wanted to hold something special for men who make an impact.
“The impact men have on kids is powerful. This is the first time in a long time that we have done something special for our Dads and other male role models. It is amazing to see the impact a man has on a child,” Harrington said. Middleton will also host a Muffins with Mom event in May.
Michael Black and Nathaniel Ball
Michael Black has a nephew who attends Middleton, first grader Nathaniel Ball. Black said his sister told him about the event so he surprised his nephew and took him to school Friday. Nathaniel was glad to spend the extra time with his uncle. “He surprised me today when he woke me up for school and told me he was coming here. We talked and spent time together. We also play football outside,” Ball said.
During the event, students also decorated a sprinkle made of construction paper and posted it on a life-sized donut in the school cafeteria. The sprinkles included important notes written by the students about the main man who accompanied them for breakfast. More than 300 main men and students attended the event. Harrington said he hopes to make this an annual event for the Middleton community.