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Dads Take Your Child to School Day celebrated with donuts, engagement

By Wesley LeBlanc Staff Writer
Posted 9/25/19

OAKLEAF – It was the day of dads at Oakleaf Village Elementary last Wednesday as it joined thousands of schools across the state celebrating a statewide initiative that allows fathers to spend time …

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Dads Take Your Child to School Day celebrated with donuts, engagement


Posted

OAKLEAF – It was the day of dads at Oakleaf Village Elementary last Wednesday as it joined thousands of schools across the state celebrating a statewide initiative that allows fathers to spend time at school with their children.

Dads Take Your Child to School Day is celebrated annually to highlight and support the fatherly engagement in a student’s education. The entire Clay County School District participated in the day, but dads and their children were treated to donuts and a book fair at Oakleaf.

“We’re celebrating Dads Take Your Child to School Day and Dads for Donuts today just to give fathers an opportunity to come in with their students and enjoy donuts and treats and spend some quality time with them before their day begins,” OVE Media Specialist Courtney Andersen said. “It’s just an all-around, feel-good day and you can see it in everyone's faces.”

Andersen has been the media specialist at OVE for three years and said dads’ day is one of her favorites. The day was more hectic than usual this year as the school was also hosting a book fair, but Andersen said it works out great because the fathers can buy their child a book, which is a meaningful purchase.

“There are kids so excited to get a book that they’ll go sit down right after and start reading it to their dad,” Andersen said.

Clay County School District Chief of Staff Terri Dennis said the day is recognized by its Florida Department of Education acronym, DADS: Dedicated Achievement Demonstrates Success.

“It doesn’t necessarily have to be a dad, though,” Dennis said. “It can be an uncle, a grandpa or whoever – somebody that is a male role model that takes part in that child’s education and shows that they are dedicated to supporting them.”

Dads aren’t the only parental figure celebrated during the school year. Mothers will do the same near Mother’s Day.

Jose Banuelos said that Dads Take Your Child to School Day was the first event he had been able to take part in. His daughter started pre-K this year so Banuelos felt good about taking part in the first event he could.

“Every father should want to support their kid in every way possible and these kind of days are important for your children,” Banuelos said.

Dads Take Your Child to School Day was just another day for Michael Owens because he takes his 7-year-old son, Sebastian Owens, who’s in second grade, to school every day. He appreciated being able to eat donuts and get some new books at the book fair with his son on this specific day though. Owens said he had the easy job on Sept. 25 as the teachers, not the parents, will be the ones dealing with all of the students hopped up on sugar from the donuts that day.

Sugar and books aside, Owens said it’s a great celebration for everyone involved.

“I think it’s a really good idea,” Owens said. “Showing the kids that we’re here and we care is important and I’m happy to be here for that.”