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September 18, 2018
Father involvement in schools is associated with improvements by students in academics, behavior, and social skills.
Academically students:
Father involvement in schools is associated with improvements by students in academics, behavior, and social skills.
To initiate and encourage father involvement in Schools and Head Start Programs. Through Dads Take Your Child to School Day, we hope this will be an inroad to engaging fathers and significant male caregivers becoming more involved in their children's education.
To participate in the Annual Dads Take Your Child to School Day Activities (DTYCTS), all you have to do is register your school/program, plan your event, host your event, and provide a brief report on the activities you held on that day. If you need assistance planning your event, we have an Organizational Guide that can help you determine what might work at your site. Remember, you are not limited to the activities in the guide.
If you still need assistance, feel free to contact a member of the DTYCTS Core Team who are ready and willing to assist you or send a request to inforequest@dadstakeyourchildtoschoolday.com.
"DTYCTS kicks off our year with high expectations for parent involvement and father/male figure involvement in particular. We see continued involvement throughout the year of men who participate in this event."
Lorenzo A. Chambers, Principal PS 279, 1070 E. 104th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11236
"It was amazing to look out my office window and see so many dads walking their kids to school. It's great to witness the commitment these fathers have to their children's education."
John Pegolowski, Social Worker, Silver Creek, NY (as quoted in the Dunkirk Observer)
"It’s really exciting, I couldn't wait for him to bring me."
Veronica, 8
"Fathers are so important to the family and a father's involvement in a child's life can make all the difference in the world. By bringing their children to school, fathers and father figures can demonstrate their commitment to the success of their children in school and in life."
Jennifer Hickman, Chautauqua Opportunities, Jamestown, NY (as quoted in the Dunkirk Observer)
"Ever since organizing the first DTYCTS at P.S. 242, dads have become more visible, involved, and engaged within our school community!"
Nancy Pereira , New York City, NY District 4 Family Advocate
"It’s important for other men to see that this is what being a dad is… taking your kid to school in the morning."
Kevin Barnes, Father, North Albany Academy (as quoted by WTEN Albany)
"Youth of today need positive role models in their lives to help them successfully navigate their transition into adolescence and young adulthood."
Gladys Carrión, Commissioner, New York State Office of Children and Family Services
"Taking your child to school isn't just a gesture, it’s a way to show your child that their education really matters. When a dad or father figure gets involved in a child’s education, that child succeeds, and we are able to build strong communities and a stronger city."
Jeanne B. Mullgrav, Commissioner, NYC Department of Youth and Community Development
"Actively involved fathers are a positive force in the lives of their children and their community. When fathers are involved in the lives of their children, especially their education, their children learn more, perform better in school, and exhibit healthier behavior."
Joyce Thomas, Regional
Dads Take Your Children to School provides a unique opportunity to capture the attention of fathers about the many services available for them and their families. The following appendices are examples of different themes to incorporate into the event.
Talk to fathers about the many services available to build stronger money management skills, access affordable banking products for themselves or their children, learn about tax refunds and free tax preparation services, as well as programs to assist in addressing credit /debt issues or receiving match funding for savings efforts.
Educational advancement and job skill development are keys to success and alleviating poverty. Low‐skill workers and families with low levels of education were especially hurt during the economic downturn. DTYCTS provides an opportunity for schools and Head Starts to provide information for fathers who would like to continue their education and/or obtain more job skills. In addition to alleviating financial stress, achieving educational and professional goals raises self‐confidence levels for dads.
When fathers are involved in the lives of their children, especially their education, children learn more, perform better in school, and exhibit healthier behavior. Even when fathers do not share a home with their children, their active involvement can have a lasting and positive impact. There are countless ways for fathers to be involved in their child’s education at all ages.
Nearly one in three children in America are overweight or obese. The numbers are even higher in African American and Hispanic communities, where nearly 40% of the children are overweight or obese. Obesity is avoidable with healthy eating and physical fitness. DTYCTS provides the opportunity to talk to fathers about how to incorporate healthy eating and physical fitness in their homes.
Fathers can provide assistance as hall monitors or school security. WATCH D.O.G.S. (Dads of Great Students) is an example of a national program that encourages fathers to volunteer within schools to promote anti‐bullying and school safety.
Immigrant fathers may not be as involved in their child’s academic life due to barrier such as: language, work schedule, lack of ID to access the school building, fear of bringing themselves to the attention of the school administration if they are undocumented, or misconception that the mother is ultimately in charge and responsible for school issues. Being able to engage immigrant fathers can be complex but with the right guidance it can be beneficial for establishing the father/child relationship.
Gleaning from the Black Star Project's Million Father March, Chicago hosted their first event in 2004 in which men showed their commitment to the educational lives of their children by marching with them to school on the first day of school.
The New York State Office of Children & Family Services (OCFS) utilized the idea to leverage their family engagement initiative which included the effort to "Locate and Engage Fathers and their Extended Family" for children in child welfare. Members of the NYC Regional Office partnered with PS 316 in Brooklyn.
New York State's Office of Temporary Disability Assistance (OTDA) joined OCFS to promote Dads Take Your Child To School Day. This included efforts to expand to schools from Albany. During this period there was at least one school in each borough in New York City participating in the event.
NYC's Administration for Children and Families (ACF) joined, and the newly coined annual "Dads Take Your Child to School Day" became an exclusive event that welcomed all ethnicities. This included promotional materials in various languages.
A new logo was instituted from a drawing on a napkin by Kenneth Braswell, from the NYS OTDA. A website was created which allowed state-wide registration and guidance for anyone interested. It was also decided that the first day of school is a hectic time for principles and school staff and it may be difficult to coordinate the event. The date was moved back a couple of weeks to allow better planning and cohesion with the number of participating partners. A number of city agencies also joined including the Administration for Children Services (ACS), Department for Youth and Community Development (DYCD), and the Office of Child Support Enforcement (NYC OCSE).
Dads Take Your Child To School Day is an event celebrated throughout New York State and the number of schools, Head Start and Child Care programs participating continues to grow rapidly. Each year, proclamations are presented by state and local officials.