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Moms welcomed with muffins
By Denise Dick
YOUNGSTOWN
Discovery at Kirkmere students started the week enjoying breakfast with their mothers.
Nearly 90 mothers, grandmothers or other significant women in children’s lives attended Muffins for Moms at the West Side school Monday.
“The goal is to bring parents in and allow them to get familiar with the building” and some of the programs and resources available to them, said Principal Misha Scott.
Besides the pastries, coffee and orange juice, the moms learned about the school’s math and literacy programs and some tips to address bullying.
“It doesn’t have to be mothers,” Scott said. “It’s any woman who is important to them: grandmothers, aunties, stepmothers, foster mothers.”
A similar event, Doughnuts for Dads, is set for Oct. 5.
Danielle Poe was one of the mothers, eating muffins with her daughters, Niah Poe, 9, and in fourth grade, and Averie Latimer, 8, a third-grader. The girls ate chocolate while Poe opted for banana.
“It was good,” Niah said.
Both girls said they liked having their mom at school.
“It was very nice,” Poe said.
She’s no stranger to the school, though. The family lives nearby and she walks them to Kirkmere daily.
Etta Dixon attended Monday’s event with her grandson, Jakaree Dixon, 9, a fourth-grader.
“I like to be at all of his events because he’s the youngest one that’s left,” Dixon said. “The others are teenagers.”
She came in her daughter’s stead.
Dixon’s daughter, who is Jakaree’s mother, cares for Dixon’s mom, who suffers from Alzheimer’s disease.
Dixon believes her grandson appreciated the morning, too.
“He called this morning to make sure I was coming,” she said.
Scott kept Muffins for Moms to an hour, allowing attendees to return to work or home to care for younger children.
“We want you to know we respect your time,” she said.
Muffins for Moms and Doughnuts for Dads are two of the events for Kirkmere families throughout the school year. A barbershop night brings in area barbers who cut students’ hair at no charge, for example.
“I really want parents to know they’re part of a partnership,” Scott said. “We can’t do it without them.”