St. Lucie Public Schools (SLPS) invites fathers and male caregivers to come back to school! On September 30, a movement across the state of Florida will be put into motion whereby fathers and male caregivers are encouraged to bring their child to school, sign a pledge of involvement, and demonstrate the value of being involved in their child’s education — Dads Take Your Child to School Day.
The movement in SLPS began last year and grew out of recognition of the power of male involvement in the education of all students. A father who actively participates in the educational and social developmental life of a child is invaluable and irreplaceable. Statistics from the National Fatherhood Initiative support findings that show when fathers and men are regularly and substantially involved in the education and social development of children, those children have higher standardized test scores, higher grade point averages, higher attendance rates and higher graduation rates. Those children also have lower rates of suspension, expulsion and arrest. (As one goes up, the other goes down. When you accent and improve the positive, you decrease or eliminate the negative.)
While there is no magic solution to solve the concerns we face in education today, getting fathers highly engaged is a huge step in the right direction. Dads Take Your Child to School Day is an opportunity for all men to show their commitment to the educational lives of children. It also marks the beginning of a year-long commitment by men to children. For this reason, the movement is an influential and celebrated event.
Last year, approximately 3,000 fathers and male caregivers participated in activities in SLPS. This special event in honor of dads and their support of the educational process is implemented as a MOVEMENT, not just a MOMENT! Schools will continue to have a series of father centered activities throughout the school year.
