Over 50 fathers, grandfathers, uncles, and other positive male role models came to the Prendergast Library on Thursday, April 14th to join the newly formed Prendergast Dad’s Club.
The idea originated with Prendergast parent and coordinator of the Greater Bridgeport Area Prevention Program Teen Father Program, Saleh Hanaif.
Hanaif, a parent of a kindergarten student, found that there were many parents, particularly fathers, who wanted to become involved, but didn’t know how.
The interest of these parents and the research that shows that students of involved fathers have higher verbal skills and higher scores of assessments compelled Hanaif to start the club.
“I knew that there were guys like me out there, fathers that wanted to get involved in the school but didn’t know exactly how. This club gives them an opportunity to become involved.”
This was supported by the numerous fathers who came up to Hanaif and Principal Larry DiPalma after the meeting and thanked them for coming up with the idea.
The main goal of the club is to get more fathers into the school volunteering.
The club asks members to sign up for one day of volunteering in the school. The school has a large wall calendar hanging outside the main office where dads can sign up and photos of volunteers are posted.
The day of volunteering begins with a photo with their child and then the dad helps in his child’s class, has lunch with his child, and assists around the school.
Already the school has at least 3 fathers volunteering a week until the end of school.
Prendergast Assistant Principal Joe Apicella is very pleased with the program. “I am so excited about this program. It benefits us in two big ways. First, we are building a strong sense of community with these families by having them volunteer and secondly we are providing positive male role models to all students in the school,” said Apicella.
Based on a US Department of Education study, fathers no matter what their income or cultural background, can play a critical role in their children’s education. When fathers are involved, their children learn more, perform better in school and exhibit healthier behavior.
Although the research is extensive, one of the biggest proponents of this program was third grader Nyasia Rivera, whose father was one of the first to volunteer. “I liked having my dad in school, I got to show him my class and my school work.”
Beyond the volunteerism of the Dad’s Club, the group is looking to fund raise in order to purchase smartboards for the classrooms and build a new playground for the students.
The Club is planning of conducting a Dodgeball Tournament in early June to help raise funds. If you are interested in joining the Dad’s Club please contact Joe Apicella at japicella@ansonia.org.
