It was the father of all school parties!
Dozens of dad’s got their moment in the spotlight during “Dads Take Your Child to School Day” at Mary Queen of Heaven Catholic School on Sept. 20. The event encouraged patriarchs to drop their little ones off at the campus — a task moms usually complete — to get them more involved in their kids’ education. It’s something that should happen more than once a year, one pop said.
“The frequency of this event should higher — once a month there should be a celebration,” said Shawn Bennett, who brings his two young sons to school every day. “Mom’s are always going to bring kids to school. This should be more frequent so fathers can see that it’s not hard to bring their kids to school, and to show the kids that it’s cool when fathers do it too.”
Some pupils were so excited their dads brought them to school that they did not want the party to end — proof men would do well taking a greater role in their progeny’s learning, one school representative said.
“There was a boy who kept saying, ‘Daddy don’t go,’ ” said Steven Kaufman, the school’s treasurer. “I saw about five kids that did not want their dads to go. Some dads don’t get to take their kids to school because of work — and that’s why it’s important for dads to be involved on this day.”
School leaders presented certificates of appreciation to the various paters familias — and to other relatives that came to support kids whose papas could not make it. Some said the recognition was a long time coming, but it caught others off guard, a member of the school’s parent association said.
“A very proud grandad came and said he needed two certificates because he dropped off two of his grand kids,” said Tania Beaubrun, one of the group’s vice presidents. “I also saw a big brother — who was a teen — and he didn’t expect this and was really surprised.”
School officials plan to repeat the event next year — and are hoping for a bigger turnout, Beaubrun said.
“This is just the start of it — we want to engage with the parents more” she said. “This was to let them know that everyone is here for you.”
