One of the hottest ‘tickets’ in town today had nothing to do with sports, music or theater; it was one that allowed dads and other caregivers to join their child in school. Based on the smiles and energy seen and felt throughout the buildings, it’s a ticket they wouldn’t trade.
September 19th is Dads Take Your Child to School Day. The fatherhood engagement event began in 2007 as an outreach initiative to encourage involvement of fathers and father figures in their children’s schools. The program has since evolved to include any parental figure in a student’s life.
Woodlands Middle High School parents had the special opportunity to spend an extended period of time with their child, and get to know WMHS teachers and administrators. For the younger Greenburgh students in grades Pre K - 6, parents and caregivers took their children into ECP, LF Jackson, Highview, and RJ Bailey buildings and walked their students to their classroom where they met the teachers, helped to get settled in, and spent some time together. Some students were excited to introduce their dad or caregiver to their friends, while others were content keeping their special guests to themselves. Students were also eager to show their guests around their new space, giving them a glimpse into where and how they spend their days this year.
At Highview, for example, each classroom had a different activity or lesson planned. Parents and their children cozied up with books and flashlights and read together, engaged in engineering games, made compasses, and wrote stories about creating new inventions. At 10am, Principal Mastrangelo spent time with parents in the cafeteria and conveyed the sentiment held by all administrators. “We appreciate the spirit of community in our schools,” he told the parents. “The importance of parent involvement can not be understated. Thank you for taking an interest and for your support.”