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For many children fathers serve as the protector, role model, provider and even super hero. At the same time, there are dads struggling to be part of their children's lives and others who are just absent. While a loving mother plays an integral part to the healthy development of a child, the balance of having a father's love is just as important. Not only can they provide stability and structure, numerous studies demonstrate that children with involved fathers or positive male role models are much more likely to do well in school; have healthy self-esteem, exhibit empathy and pro-social behavior; and avoid high-risk behaviors such as drug use, truancy, and delinquent activity.

For the past five years DCF's Family and Community Partnerships has been working with communities to help nurture that father-child relationship through the promotion of Dads Take Your Child To School day (DTYCTS), a national observation where fathers and/or father figures typically walk their children to school.  Throughout the state, schools invite fathers/father figures into their buildings. This initial introduction or reintroduction into their child's school is meant to encourage dads to be an active participant in their child's education; helping to lay a path of greater success in their child's academic future. But beyond the classroom, the father-child bond can be nurtured in many other ways. Please take a look at the links above for guidance on how you can help your father-child bond flourish.

 

Dad’s Take Your Child To School Day 2019

DCF is pleased to promote the initiative: Dads Take Your Child to School Day in an effort to engage fathers and/or father figures in their child's education. As such, we strongly encourage each of our partners across the state to plan and/or participate in a Dads Take Your Child to School Day event on Tuesday, September 17th, 2019. If for any reason this date does not work for you, we encourage you to identify another date and time that may be more suitable.

Click here for the Dads Take Your Child to School Day Planning Guide to help make the day a success and for more helpful tips, tools, and information to help fathers be more involved with their children's academic success visit Fatherhood.gov 

Your event can be an afternoon basketball game, fathers vs. students or, an afternoon meet and greet the choice is yours. This day can be as elaborate or as simple as you choose. In addition, while students in middle and high school may not be too keen to having their dad or father figure escort them to school, your event can be tailored to the families you serve. Here are some events that have taken place in the past:

Downe Township Elementary “Take Your Dad Fishing” event. This event was meant to facilitate interaction between students and their fathers to reinforce the importance of that relationship.

Dwight Morrow High School at Englewood - The ZONE SBYSP, in partnership with local service providers, civic and educational leaders hosted a three hour Father’s Day community workshop for young and adult men - fathers, sons, and male mentors.  The program focused on “defining manhood”, while seeking to engage fathers and sons in local efforts to eradicate violence against women and girls. 

Buena Regional Middle School sponsored "Bring Your Dad to Buena Day" Continental Breakfast and dads were given information about future events throughout the school year which they could attend. They also met with teachers and administrators.