This morning, just less than 300 fathers (mostly dads attended which was the intent of the event) and mothers showed up early at Samuel W. Houston Elementary School where I work as the counselor to eat a donut, slurp down orange juice and/or coffee, and get to visit their child's classroom. To top it off, they had a dad/mom meeting wit standing room only in our cafeteria where they tossed around balls and got motivated and slung a few rubber chickens as well. Yes. Chickens. You had to be there to appreciate the scene taking place, for sure.
The truly amazing part was seeing the expressions on the faces of the young students as they walked their dads/moms to class with them. Most classrooms were as quiet as they'd ever been with all those dads in the rooms. Makes me want every day to be dad's day at school and even more motivated as volunteer coordinator for my school to make sure all parents, especially the dads, feel comfortable and welcomed to volunteer and visit any time, not just on a special day designed for this purpose.
Two dads in particular made me proud as punch. Clayton Colley and Tedrick Winfrey were fifth grade students of mine, and they were there being Great Dads to their own children. I consider their children my "grand students". Hats off to you, fellas! You make this seasoned educator proud.
Almost 20 volunteers showed up from our local Church of Christ who were on hand to be extra "dads" or "moms" to fill that need for our busy parents. Just having any special guest in the classrooms to give a smile or nod is fun anytime. My own precious husband, Jerry Phillips, was stand in dad for a student and he had a ball just watching him peek around at him as the teacher taught the lesson. This young boy had only just shared time over a school breakfast, yet there was an instant bond. I'm certain Jerry will check on him again.
Volunteer. Read to a child. Play catch. Bait a hook and go fishing. It doesn't matter what you do; just get involved in the next generation.
Stay JOYful and Write On!
