Valentine’s Day came early at Panther Valley Middle School.

Last week students were treated to “breakfast with the one you love,” allowing them to enjoy a morning meal at school with their parents or guardians.

The event was sponsored by the Panther Valley Middle School PTO.

Beth Shreffler, president of the PTO, said it was held three days for fourth, fifth and sixth grade students, respectively.

In that three-day span - Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday - about 375 students and parents dined in the school cafeteria, and were treated to bagels, eclairs, muffins, coffee, milk and other food options.

Every table was decorated with large, varied color, paper roses as centerpieces. Large screen wall TVs had pink and with hearts floating on a red background.

“This is nice,” said Andrew Lynn, who attended with his wife, Heather, and their fifth-grade son, Cooper. “It’s a nice morning.”

Cooper enjoyed having his parents eating with him but was mum on whether they were his favorite valentines.

Shreffler said the Valentine’s Day breakfast was held for a number of years at the school before the pandemic hit. Then there was a two-year hiatus before it was revived this year.

Shreffler said a $5 per parent fee was charged which also covered the student’s breakfast. “It’s a fundraiser but not really a fundraiser,” she said. “We did it to make the kids and their parents feel like they are part of the school.”

Laurie Mount, cafeteria manager, said she liked hosting the “breakfast with the one you love.” She said the largest group of attendees was the fourth graders, with 150 students and parents attending.

Parent Sarah Yusella was happy that the PTO staged the breakfast. “They do a lot of nice stuff for the kids,” she said of the PTO.

Her daughter, Sage, when asked if Sarah was her favorite valentine, turned to her mom, gave her a hug, and responded with an assertive “yes.”

Cristyn Jones attended with her son Conner. “I’m glad they did it and I’m glad my mom could come,” he said.

Assisting were members of the school’s student council including Michael Demyanovich, Corrigan Crampsie, Keyley Breiner and Ashley Williams.

Shreffler said this is one of three major events hosted by the PTO. The others are a “trunk-or-treat” at Halloween and a basket raffle which will be held at the Hilltop Community Center in Summit Hill on March 25.