Continuing its tradition of integrating fathers, the family unit, and friends as an essential component of success in school, CHSD170's Washington-McKinley School hosted its third annual 'Dads' 30-Day Celebration' on Friday, September 28th.
The event began with the dads, family members, and community representatives lining up to applaud and "high-five" the children at the start of the school day in celebration of the students embracing the importance of learning and completing the first thirty days of the academic year.
"We invited the dads, family members, and community representatives to join us on the playground to cheer on our students, to encourage them to keep working hard, and to reinforce the idea of the importance of education," said Washington-McKinley Principal Dr. Gretchen Sutherland.
"The event was a wonderful success," Sutherland added, "with three times as many dads, family and community members as we've had in the past."
"And even though it took only a brief part of their day, the commitment by the parents and the others made it clear to our students that their families and friends were exceptionally proud of them and proud of their commitment to success at school."
Helena Greenfield, a Social Worker at the school and member of the Washington-McKinley Partnership Building Committee, discussed the success of the activity and the impact of the event.
"We here at Washington-McKinley school are pleased to present events like this one that sends a strong and clear message of unity concerning the futures of our students," Greenfield said.
"As we empower our students, our parents, and our educators we set an unshakable foundation that increases student self-esteem, advances student self-actualization, and nurtures consistent and sustainable academic growth and development."
"In creating and sustaining an atmosphere of empowerment, teamwork, and daily success, we become more convinced that, as educators and as a school, we are achieving our goal of impacting our students' lives and successes in a positive way, successes that will benefit our communities and our world," Greenfield concluded.