M-DCPS Holds 12th Annual Fathers in Education Day Kick-Off Event

Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) held a kick-off breakfast yesterday at Pinecrest Elementary for the 12th anniversary of Fathers in Education Day.  At the event, Dads and Doughnuts, district officials, board members, students and teachers acknowledged the important role many fathers play in their children’s academic success.

"The involvement of dads is about building confidence and being part of the education of our wonderful students," said Schools Superintendent Dr. Jose L. Dotres. "We are a great partner in this incredible movement and every year it gets larger and larger and we see more involvement from our students’ fathers."

Shawn Thomas, head of Watch D.O.G.S (Dads of Great Students) at Pinecrest Elementary, was honored with a proclamation thanking him for his efforts. Watch D.O.G.S, founded three years ago, are a group of fathers at Pinecrest Elementary who volunteer to provide additional support to staff and teachers by keeping students safe at drop-off and dismissal.

This group of volunteer dads also makes sure students behave and are respectful during lunch, in the halls during testing and at school dances. They also read to the little ones in class and help the older students with science projects.

"This day is super important because dads do offer a different perspective," said Thomas. "This is dads communicating with dads, getting them in and building out schedules that really lend themselves to dad's insights."

Research shows when fathers are involved in their child’s schooling, test scores and grades increase. Preschoolers also have stronger verbal skills and girls have stronger math skills. Conversely, when fathers are not engaged, children are two times more likely to repeat a grade or drop out of school.

Fathers in Education Day was founded by the Fatherhood Task Force in 2014. To celebrate this event, this Thursday more than 140 schools are inviting fathers and male mentors to share activities with students, such as Art with Dads, Dads and Dominos, and Poems with Pops. The effort is part of a broader campaign to encourage all fathers and male role models to be a part of their student’s academic journey.

Additionally, Fathers in Action & Advocacy Week highlights the vital and necessary role fathers have in influencing their child’s emotional and academic growth. More than 31 free workshops including Fathers in Focus, Fathers and Their Teens, Fathers be the Link and Dads Navigating College Enrollment are being hosted at 19 district elementary, middle and high schools.

For the most up-to-date information, please download the Dadeschools Mobile App to your iPhone or Android device. Follow us on X, @MDCPS and @SuptDotres, on Instagram @miamischools and @SuptDotres, and on Facebook at MiamiSchools.

TOP CAPTION: Participating fathers and father figures at Fathers in Education Week Kickoff Event at Pinecrest Elementary School