WHITE PLAINS, NY –As part of his ongoing fatherhood initiative, County Executive Robert P. Astorino will join with local and national education partners to promote “Dads Take Your Child to School Day” during a press conference on Monday, September 21, at Columbus Elementary School, 580 Columbus Ave., Thornwood.
Astorino will kick off the event at 8:15 a.m. by bringing his daughter Kiley, age 10, to school and then remarks will immediately follow. More than 12,000 dads or male caregivers are expected to participate in the statewide Dads Take Your Child to School Day, which takes place the following day, September 22.
“Dads Take Your Child to School Day is a great way for dads and kids to get the school year started off right,” Astorino said. “It’s simple. Kids with involved fathers do better in school.”
This summer, Astorino called on fathers and schools to participate in a countywide Dads Take Your Child to School Day. Educators from White Plains, Yonkers, Mount Vernon, Lakeland, North Salem and Peekskill are among those who signed up, but all dads are encouraged to join.
“The City of Mount Vernon Youth Bureau wishes to thank the County Executive, the Department of Social Services, the schools and the community stakeholders for ensuring a Westchester County effort to encourage participation in the Dads Take Your Child to School Day event,” said DaMia Harris, executive director of the Mount Vernon Youth Bureau. “[This] is one of many opportunities used to increase parental involvement and social supports for dads, which then enables caregivers to be positively involved in their children’s learning and social development.”
Research shows that students with involved fathers receive more A’s, enjoy school more and stay in school longer, according to the National Responsible Fatherhood Clearinghouse (NRFC), a resource of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Joyce A. Thomas, regional administrator of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, said: “Dads Take Your Child to School Day is a wonderful opportunity for fathers and father-figures to get involved with their child’s education – not just for one day, but for a lifetime. This is a great way for schools and Head Start programs to connect with dads and work together to support the growth and development of their children because the research shows that when fathers are involved in the lives of their kids, especially with their education, children learn more, perform better in school, and exhibit healthier behavior.”
Astorino’s fatherhood initiative is an ongoing effort to support the full spectrum of fathers – from those who are active in the home to those who are absent. Announced during his State of the County in April, programs range from career counseling and job placement assistance to simply creating more opportunities for dads and families to spend time together. All dads and families are encouraged to share their fathering moments on social media using the hashtag #DadBeThere.
