North Hills' Bigs in Blue program continues in 2025

It was the fall of 2017 when Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Pittsburgh teamed up with Ross Township and West View police officers to start their first Bigs in Blue program at West View Elementary School. At the time, the students chosen for the program were in third grade.

Fast forward nine years and today, they’re in eleventh grade at the high school and still meet with their bigs almost every week during the school year.

This past Wednesday, Dec. 10, they built gingerbread houses, a long standing tradition the boys may say they are too old for but cherish just the same.

Big Brothers Big Sisters has Bigs in Blue programs across the country. The nationwide initiative connects police officers with local youth through mentoring relationships to foster trust, understanding, and positive interactions within communities. It aims to bridge the gap between law enforcement and the community by building meaningful, supportive connections across the country.

In 2025, the program was expanded in North Hills to also include Highcliff Elementary School, where officers from the Ross Township Police Department now serve as mentors to students. The addition of the program at Highcliff reflects the district’s continued commitment to student well-being and community engagement.