Dads Take Your Child to School Day celebrated across multiple schools throughout the MVCSD

Scholars from various elementary schools across the Mount Vernon City School District strolled into their respective schools on Thursday, September 19, 2024, holding the hands of their father, grandfather, or father figure. There were plenty of smiles, as everyone was excited for the District’s annual Dads Take Your Child to School Day. Click here to view the photo gallery from the day!

"Thank you to all the fathers and father figures who are dedicated to their children's academics," said Acting Superintendent Dr. K. Veronica Smith. "I encourage you all to continue taking an active role in their education by attending events like this one, getting involved in the PTA, helping out with homework, and engaging in meaningful conversations about school. Your support and encouragement inspire scholars to strive for excellence as you help them reach their full potential. Together, we can make a positive impact on our children."

Many of the participating schools not only had father and father figures come to drop their children off at school but invited them into the classrooms to observe and collaborate with their children as well. 

The men were able to get involved in a number of educational activities such as i-Ready lessons, music, art, reading, arithmetic, writing, and more. The role models also had the opportunity to meet teachers and principals at their children’s schools. 

Many schools taking part in Dads Take Your Child to School Day decorated the building to make those visiting feel warm and welcomed. Pennington School, for example, had an area set up at the front of the school for families to take photos with their children. 

“We are excited this morning to welcome fathers, father figures here at Pennington School,” said Melissa White, Principal at Pennington. “We trust that they will enjoy dropping off their child today and we are excited that they are a part of their child's educational journey. We look forward to continuing partnerships with fathers, mothers and families in our community as a whole.” 

At Lincoln School, comic book backdrops and colorful balloons filled the front of the building with a “Dads Are Our Superheroes” theme. Fathers went into the auditorium for breakfast and received certificates commemorating their participation in Dads Take Your Child to School Day.

“The research tells us that dads who are involved in their children’s lives tend to do better emotionally, socially, and academically,” said Lincoln School Principal Rebecca Jones. “We did not need any research today to show us just how happy and pleased and excited our children were to see their dads bring them to school. It’s clear they make a huge difference, and we were blessed to have them here today.” 

70 male role models showed up to the Mount Vernon Leadership Academy, ready to take on the countless activities that staff and the PTA had planned for the morning. In the school’s cafeteria, there were various craft stations set up that fathers and the children could participate in, such as decorating a paper mache pumpkin, assembling a light-up circuit board, and bracelet making. Outside, physical activities took place, including basketball, a bucket stacking challenge, relay races, and a heated game of tug-o-war. Inside the entrance of the school was the scholastic book fair, where many fathers encouraged a passion for reading by purchasing books and other supplies for their child. 

“I love my dad so much. My dad is the best dad ever!” said Noah Eversley, a first grader who was ecstatic to celebrate his second Dads Take Your Child to School Day with his father. “I love to play football and baseball with him!” The father and son duo were most excited to play tug-o-war outside with the other kids. 

At the Edward Williams School, little boxes of apple cider and chocolate donuts, chocolate candies, and refreshments were set up in a grand display in front of a large banner that said, “We Donut know what we would do without you!” Dads and their little ones crowded around the lunch tables, playing fun games like Uno and Connect 4, as other kids 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 fathers got to know each other as their children buzzed around the cafeteria with friends. 

“We’re super excited to do this along with the District. We love these types of events where it’s District-wide. It shows the unity of the entire District and how we all can come together,” said Gregory Casey, Edward Williams School Assistant Principal. “Being a new father myself, this really holds a special place in my heart to see all the fathers and male figures come and support the children of Edward Williams.” 

At Mount Vernon Honor Academy, father figures were greeted with a breakfast and light refreshments, followed by joining their children in class for the remainder of the morning. 

“I’m pretty impressed by the structure,” said Gershon Peterson, father to a second grader at MVHA. “It’s really good because when I see him when he comes home, he already has a way to use technology, and I don’t get a chance to necessarily do that everyday with him because I’m at work. So, now I get the chance to see how he is getting the mastery at using the laptop, using the tablet. It’s really good to see him read, add, subtract, in real time in school. I’m glad that the environment is very nurturing when it comes to being able to learn.”

At Denzel Washington School of the Arts, scholars invited their loved ones to join them for a day filled with music and art. Everyone made their way through jazz-filled hallways lined with blue streamers, heading over to the continental breakfast, where fathers shared their experiences and discussed their professions with the group. They also offered advice and words of encouragement to the 11th and 12th grade boys who were in attendance. 

Dads at Cecil H. Parker School brought their children to school and got donuts and coffee outside the building before heading into the school to sit in their children’s classes.

“I think education is the paramount thing, especially getting them ready to face the world,” said Vivian Richards, father of Cecil H. Parker School pre-K student Zaria Richards. “Fathers need to be involved in every aspect of their child’s life, and education is no different. It’s actually very important for dads to be involved in their children’s education. Dads are known to be fun and take them to the park, but I think it’s very important for kids to see their fathers helping them with their schoolwork and being interested in their academics.”