Dads go to school at artin Walker Elementary

By SEAN HANEY

Cove Leader-Press

Parents have all wondered once or twice, “What is my child learning today?” or “How is my child doing today?”

On Wednesday morning, Martin Walker held its first ever Bring Your Dad to School Day hosted by Strong Fathers. Approximately 150 dads and some moms attended this event from 7:30–9:30 a.m.

“I always believed that having the parents involved in the school and in children’s livelihood or education, is always important,” said Edson Florexil, who was visiting his first-grade daughter.

“Even the kids can see it themselves. They start seeing it’s important because the parents are in the school with them.”

Whenever the school has activities, Florexil said he tries to be there.

“I can actually see her brain clicking and learning.” Florexil said. “She’s a bright child…and children bring so many different little things to the table and you know, they manage to take one thing and make a whole story.”

Dana Hensley who is the school nurse experienced the first Bring Your Dad to School event through a different set of eyes.

“I think it’s a great program for our students in the area because it promotes a lot of strongness within the community for the students, and it motivates them to want to do better,” Hensley said. “I think the event turned out great. There’s a lot of fathers.”

There are approximately 300 students who attend Martin Walker Elementary School, so for about 150 fathers to attend this event it was a success.

“I think the children loved it today. I think it was a great experience for them. And it’ll probably set the tone for them all day long.” 

Bryan Brendon got the pleasure of participating in today’s event as well and for his son Eric’s first class, they were in the gymnasium.

“It gives the parents the chance to see class to class, day to day what their child is going through,” Brendon said. Parents like to have comfort knowing that their kids are doing good in school and making friends. “Today really gives a lot of parents a sense of comfort knowing what’s going on and it’s fun to hang out,” he said.

“It’s awesome that we didn’t have to wait for school to be done to see our dads again,” Eric Brendon, who is in fourth grade, said about Bring Your Dad to School Day.

Not every kid’s father was able to attend but that didn’t stop them for having fun.

Kegan Schaffer who is a fellow classmate to Brendon didn’t have her father at the event, but she kept her spirit up.

“I think it’s a great event that is going on today, even though my dad wasn’t able to be here. I’m still having a good time with my friends and their dads.” Schaffer said.