Mark your calendars: “Dads Take Your Child to School Day” is taking place in schools across Westchester County on Tuesday, Sept. 20. To promote the importance of the day, County Executive Robert P. Astorino today joined with Legislator John G. Testa, Peekskill Schools Superintendent Dr. David Fine, and over two dozen fathers, educators and advocates for a kickoff at Oakside Elementary School.

“Dads Take Your Child to School Day is a great way to get the school year started off right – and to keep it going strong,” said Astorino, a father of three young children. “Please join us and show our children we care about their education and will be there for them all year long. We understand that not all families are the same, though, so by all means any father figure, mom or caregiver is encouraged to participate, too.”

School leaders
School leaders should visit the statewide campaign site, www.dadstakeyourchildtoschoolday.com, to register your school. You can also learn more by contacting Joseph D. Kenner of the Westchester County Department of Social Services by e-mail at  or by phone at (914) 995-3287.

Westchester’s Dads Take Your Child to School Day is part of a statewide campaign that encourages fathers, stepfathers, foster fathers, grandfathers, uncles, brothers, godfathers and other significant male caregivers to be involved in their child’s education and to be positive role models throughout the year.

All dads and families are encouraged to share their proud moments using the hashtags #DadBeThere and #DadsTakeYourChildtoSchoolDay.

In Peekskill, all dads who bring their children to school will be invited for a breakfast and a brief workshop, followed by opportunities to sign up to volunteer and learn more about the school’s key objectives for the year. After that, dads are invited to join their children in their classrooms to see what they are learning.

“Last year our father figures really embraced our Dads Take Your Child to School Day event,” said Dr. Fine. “We had over 400 male role models walk their students to school that morning and we hope even more will be encouraged to attend this year, as the day is a wonderful opportunity for bonding. We want to help foster a tighter relationship between our students and the men they look up to, and the way to do this is to involve these adults in student’s school lives as much as possible.”

Oakside Principal Staci Woodley added: “One of my favorite quotes from Frederick Douglas says, ‘It’s easier to build strong children than to repair broken men.’ Thank you, Mr. Astorino and Westchester County, for supporting us with this initiative. I believe last year was an amazing experience just to see the children’s faces as they were escorting their dads, big brothers, uncles, somebody from church, a neighbor – it just was a wonderful experience and each year it will just get better and better.”

Unfortunately in the United States, 24 million kids – or one in three – are growing up without their biological father in the home, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Research shows, however, that students with involved fathers do better academically, enjoy school more, and stay in school longer, according to the National Responsible Fatherhood Clearinghouse, a resource of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

“As a teacher for 33 years, I can tell you how important it is for parents to be involved,” said Legislator Testa, a father of two who taught technology and social studies at Peekskill High School. “The one group that can change education in schools are the parents. They’re the ones with the power.”

Peekskill resident Martin McDonald stood with his son Malachi in support of Dads Take Your Child to School Day, saying it’s important for black fathers in particular to break down the “stereotypical picture” that they are not involved in their children’s lives.

“Our children are watching. My son is watching,” Martin McDonald said. “I might not see it right now, but I know somewhere down the line my son is going to say I remember my dad participating and he was involved. And it’s going to pay dividends for generations.”

Malachi McDonald, a 9th grader at Peekskill High School, took the podium prepared with the facts.

“Children who feel a closeness to their father are twice as likely to enter college or find stable employment after high school; 75 percent less likely to have a teen birth; 80 percent less likely to spend time in jail; and half as likely to experience depression,” he said. “As you can see, this is how I think [Dads] Take Your Child to School Day is important.”

Dads Take Your Child to School Day is the latest in Astorino’s ongoing #DadBeThere fatherhood initiative, which focuses on supporting the full spectrum of fathers – from those who are active in the home to those who are absent. Programs range from career counseling, job placement assistance and child support arrears repayment programs to simply creating more opportunities for dads and families to spend time together. Visit www.westchestergov.com/dadbethere to learn more.

“Dads need to step up and be there for their kids and families,” Astorino said. “Too many children are growing up without a father in their lives because the dad chooses not to be there. God bless all the single moms, foster parents and others raising these kids, but we need to reverse that tide. And to be clear, our #DadBeThere events are fundamentally a recognition of moms, too, who too often are left holding up more than their fair share of responsibilities.”

Photo Caption: “Dads Take Your Child to School Day” is taking place in schools across Westchester County on Tuesday, September 20. To promote the importance of the day, County Executive Robert P. Astorino today joined with Legislator John G. Testa; Peekskill Schools Superintendent Dr. David Fine; and over two dozen fathers, educators and advocates for a kickoff at Oakside Elementary School. They were joined by Staci Woodley, Oakside Principal; Martin and Malachi McDonald, Peekskill father and son; Joseph D. Kenner, Westchester County Department of Social Services Deputy Commissioner; Dr. Iris Pagan, Westchester County Youth Bureau Executive Director; Frank Williams, White Plains Youth Bureau Executive Director; and Susan B. Wayne, Family Services of Westchester President and CEO.