MOUNT VERNON, NY — A troop of “superheroes” invaded Mount Vernon schools and students had every reason to celebrate their triumph.
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From the Mount Vernon City School District.
Students from various elementary schools in the Mount Vernon City School District strolled into their respective schools holding the hand of their father, grandfather or father figure on Thursday, September 19, 2024. There were many smiles as everyone looked forward to the district’s annual “Dad Takes Your Kid to School” day.
“Thank you to all the fathers and father figures who are committed to their children’s education. I encourage all of you to continue to play an active role in their education by attending events like this one, getting involved in the parent council, helping with homework, and engaging in meaningful conversations about school. Your support and encouragement inspire students to strive for excellence while you help them reach their full potential. Together, we can make a positive impact on our children.”
At many of the participating schools, fathers and father figures not only came to pick up their children from school, but also invited them into the classrooms to observe and work with their children.
The men were able to participate in a variety of educational activities, including i-Ready classes, music, art, reading, math, writing and more. The role models also had the opportunity to meet teachers and principals at their children’s schools.
Many schools participating in Dad Brings Your Child to School Day decorated their buildings to make visitors feel welcome and warm. Pennington School, for example, had an area set up outside the school where families could take photos with their children.
“We are excited to welcome fathers and father figures here at Pennington School this morning,” said Melissa White, Pennington School Principal. “We trust they will enjoy dropping off their child today, and we are excited for them to be a part of their child’s educational journey. We look forward to continuing to work with fathers, mothers and families throughout our community.”
At Lincoln School, the front of the building was decorated with cartoon backdrops and colorful balloons bearing the motto “Dads are our superheroes.” Fathers went to the auditorium for breakfast and received certificates to commemorate their participation in Dads Bring Their Child to School Day.
“Research tells us that fathers who are involved in their children’s lives perform better emotionally, socially and academically,” said Rebecca Jones, principal of Lincoln School. “We didn’t need research today to know how happy and delighted and excited our children were when their fathers dropped them off at school. It’s clear they make a huge difference and we were blessed to have them here today.”
Seventy male role models showed up at Mount Vernon Leadership Academy ready to participate in the countless activities the staff and parent council had planned for the morning. The school cafeteria featured various craft stations for fathers and children to participate in, such as decorating a paper mache pumpkin, assembling a light-up circuit board, and making bracelets. Physical activities took place outside, including basketball, a bucket stacking competition, relay races, and a heated tug-of-war. The school book fair was held in the school’s lobby, where many fathers encouraged their children’s love of reading by purchasing books and other materials for them.
“I love my dad so much. My dad is the best dad ever!” said Noah Eversley, a first-grader who was thrilled to celebrate his second Dads Take Your Child to School Day with his father. “I love playing football and baseball with him!” The father-son duo was most excited to play tug-of-war outside with the other kids.
At Edward Williams School, small boxes of cider and chocolate doughnuts, chocolates and refreshments were set up in a large display in front of a large banner that read, “We Donuts Know What We’d Do Without You!” Dads and their little ones crowded around the lunch tables, playing fun games like Uno and Connect Four, while other children excitedly showed their father figures the pictures they had drawn of them on coloring pages. The morning was filled with excited laughter and hugs, and the dads got to know one another while their children buzzed around the cafeteria with friends.
“We are so excited to be doing this with the district. We love these types of district-wide events. It shows the unity of the entire district and how we can all come together,” said Mr. Casey, the school’s assistant principal. “As a new father myself, this is really heartwarming to me to see all the fathers and male role models come out and support the children of Edward Williams.”
At the Mount Vernon Honor Academy, the father figures were welcomed with breakfast and small refreshments and then spent the rest of the morning with their children in class.
“I’m pretty impressed with the structure,” said Gershon Peterson, father of a second-grader at MVHA. “It’s really good because when I see him come home, he already knows how to use technology, and I don’t necessarily get the chance to do that with him every day because I’m at work. So now I get the chance to see him mastering the laptop and the tablet. It’s really good to see him reading, adding and subtracting in real time at school. I’m glad the environment is very conducive to being able to learn.”
At the Denzel Washington School of the Arts, students invited their loved ones to a day of music and art. Everyone filed through the jazz-filled hallways decorated with blue streamers to the continental breakfast, where fathers shared their experiences with the group and talked about their professions. They also offered advice and words of encouragement to the 11th and 12th grade boys in attendance.
Fathers at Cecil H. Parker School dropped their children off at school and picked up doughnuts and coffee outside the building before going into the school to attend their children’s classes.
“I think education is the most important thing, especially to prepare them for the world,” said Vivian Richards, father of Cecil H. Parker School preschool student Zaria Richards. “Fathers need to be involved in every aspect of their children’s lives, and education is no exception. It’s actually very important that fathers are involved in their children’s education. Fathers are known for having fun and taking their children to the park, but I think it’s very important for children to have their fathers help them with their homework and take an interest in their academic performance.”
This press release was prepared by the Mount Vernon City School District. The views expressed here are those of the author.
