MT. MORRIS, MI -- More than 30 Dailey Elementary fathers, stepfathers, grandparents and male role models all took a pledge Thursday morning.
They pledged to support their child, their teacher and the school to provide high-quality education, make education a priority in the household, set high expectation for their child, stay informed and encourage them to do their best each and every day.
It was “Dads Take Your Kid To School Day” Thursday, Sept. 23 at Beecher’s Dailey Elementary.
Fathers were greeted by Principal Diona Clingman as they walked in. Families had their picture taken, got to attend the book fair and received information about different resources the district and county offers before taking the pledge.
Stéphan Harris, a stepfather of two and father of one, brought his stepdaughters Kimora and Kamia Fields to school today.
He said he wanted to show them that education is important and they can count on his support.
“I had a mother and father that were really on me about my education,” Harris said. “It’s very important to me to continue that tradition that they passed on to me.”
Harris’ son is still too young for kindergarten, but the relationship he’s built with his stepdaughters has helped prepare him to raise his own, he said.
“Being involved in their education has made me more involved in my son’s education,” Harris said.
Mt. Morris resident Quantrell Hall brought his six-year-old daughter Aubrye Hall to school Thursday.
Hall’s father went to prison when he was just 6 years old, but one thing he learned from that experience was to always be there for your child.
Despite being away, Hall still found a way to build a relationship with his dad.
He talked to him often and remembered always feeling supported. Hall’s father sent his family money for new school clothes every year.
“I just want to show her that I’m supporting her every step of the way,” Hall, 26, said. “... Before the pandemic, I used to come in the school in the morning and sit in class to see how she was doing.”
Clingman, who hosted the event with Parent Facilitator Debbie Harris, said events like this help educate the “whole child.”
Parents are a crucial part of an elementary student’s learning and development, Clingman said.
“One of my goals was to break that stigma -- when I first started I heard that we had low father involvement at Dailey and I said ‘that’s not true’ because I am seeing them dropped off,” she said. “We do have dads in the Beecher community that are doing amazing things with their children.”
Parenting took a whole new role last year with virtual learning, Clingman said.
Teachers started working with parents more than ever to make sure their child was participating with online learning.
Clingman wants to continue that momentum, she said.
“I think so many times it is kind of intimidating to come into the school (for parents),” Clingman said. “They think they are supposed to know it all. We are growing together. ... They are able to come in and know that the school is a safe space for everybody.
“Beecher is a community school, not just a school.”
This is the third time the school has held an event like this, Clingman said. The school plans to do more in the future with guest speakers and classroom visits, but it was restricted by COVID-19 protocols in place.
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