(ThyBlackMan.com) The Florida Department of Education initiative:
Dads Take Your Child to School Day! The Department of Family and Community Engagement is partnering on this initiative. This event is similar to the Million Father March that was held on the first day of school nationally.
As part of this initiative, fathers are asked to show their child that they value and support their education by bringing them to school on Wednesday, September 28th and that they commit to being involved in their learning throughout the year.
This is a great opportunity to increase parental engagement, especially among fathers, for the entire 2016-17 school year. Last year, fathers, grandfathers, foster fathers, stepfathers, uncles, cousins, big brothers, male caregivers, mentors and family friends all showed their support for students across the state through their participation. The excitement for many students is continuing to 
blossom and the work continues for academic growth and success.
Fathers are very important in the process of education, helping in laying a foundation for the importance of maturing academically and socially. Being a father requires continuous giving, generosity, kindness, compassion, empathy, love and dedication to another life besides their own. Education is a life-long process that is influenced by parental priorities and influence.
“Fathers can and do change the world one child at a time.” William Jackson, M.Edu.
These are suggestions from a father, educator, and community activist to encourage fathers to participate and be engaged in the educational process of their children from early childhood to higher education.
1. Fathers respect your child’s teacher(s)
One way to support education is to model respect for teachers and administrators. Fathers speak more by their actions than words, so visit schools and praise teachers and administrators.
2. Fathers spend time in the school
Even though it might be tough to visit schools at least once a month it makes a world of difference in a child’s behavior and academic success. Spending time means sacrificing a lunch time, overtime or buddy time. The rewards are great, just look in your child’s eyes and see.
3. Fathers listen to teachers not talk at them
sometimes it is more valuable to listen than to speak. Fathers must trust teachers to tell them the truth about their children even if the truth hurts or challenges making changes to discipline, doing homework, requiring tutors or not participating in sports or after school activities. The priority of school is education.
4. Fathers discipline with Love
Many of us have humorous stories of being disciplined when we were of youthful vigor and energy. We understood later we were wrong in some of our actions and choices and that discipline was done with love. So fathers must continue to have love in their hearts and minds and discipline fairly and with love.
5. Fathers are Role Models
Fathers are the first role models, even when we don’t think our kids are watching, they are and other kids do too. So our actions speak louder than words. We can’t say “do as I say and not do as I do” because we send the wrong messages and set our actions and words up to be hypocritical and without meaning.
6. Fathers are Teachers
When a father teaches it is by his actions not always by his words. The first teacher should be the child’s parents. They establish the foundation for future success. Even if not a great student in school fathers can teach their children from their mistakes to help their children to be better academically and socially.
7. Fathers should share meals
A great time to share is when eating together. This is a relaxing time to joke, share, encourage, engage in fun conversation. Sharing meals should not be serious times, but memorable ones starting with prayer.
Communication should be two ways that encourage the kids to ask questions too.
8. Fathers Read to their Children
When my children where toddlers until middle school their mother and I read to them at various times during the day and when it was bed time. This created an atmosphere where reading was fun. When they were able to we allowed them to read to us. Even though we divorced I still read to my children to keep the consistency and fun of it. Fathers that are not strong readers should read to their level and build as their children build. Learning together should not be an embarrassment it should be a cooperative effort to show comprehension and literacy are vital.
9. Fathers Show Affection
Fathers cannot afford to be “hard” and unemotional, this creates unstable emotional behaviors in children that cause confusion and conflicting emotions for stability and expression. Fathers have to model love, proper affection, sensitivity, common sense, compassion, tenderness. These are what children need to learn to function in society.
10. Fathers Job is Never Done
At the time of this writing 2016 both my children are in college, working, driving and in some capacity they are still dependent on me. Fathering is a lifelong responsibility even when children are maturing into adults themselves. Fathers are the cushions, the barriers that God has placed to make the world less scary, less threatening and less depressing when the challenges of life attack our children.
Children need to know that daddy will be there not just for money, but for encouragement, advice, praise, love, prayers and sometimes just a silent shoulder to listen and arms for reassuring hugs. Fathers you must decide what kind of father you want to be, it is a choice and personal decision. Don’t try to be like any other father but who you are. Don’t be fake, foolish or fraud, your children will see right through you. It is ok to be scared, nervous and apprehensive, no one has all the answers, you have more life experiences than your children so use that to build on as a foundation of support and love.
“The Talk” with your kids: http://www.npr.org/sections/codeswitch/2014/09/05/345891814/whats-your-take-on-nprthetalk how to make sure your child comes home.
Staff Writer; William D. Jackson
Find out more about this talented writer over at; OCS For Education.
