PITTSBURGH \u2014 Students across Pittsburgh Public Schools welcomed fathers and father figures into classrooms Friday as the district hosted its annual \u201cTake a Father to School Day\u201d event at schools throughout the city.<\/p>\n
This year\u2019s theme, \u201cN.F.L. Needs for Learning: Fathers Scoring Big for Student Success,\u201d highlighted the role fathers, mentors and other positive male role models play in supporting student achievement, confidence and success.<\/p>\n
At Pittsburgh Phillips K-5 on the South Side, families lined up outside the school Friday morning for a day of activities designed to bring students and families together. Schools across the district hosted classroom visits, student engagement activities, and community-building events throughout the day.<\/p>\n
For Shawn Johnson, the event was about spending time with his son and showing support.<\/p>\n
\u201cI didn\u2019t grow up with one, so that\u2019s why it\u2019s really important for me to make it here to show him that I care,\u201d Johnson said.<\/p>\n
District leaders said the event has become a long-standing tradition focused on strengthening family involvement in education. This year marks the 28th year the district has hosted the program.<\/p>\n
Gene Citrone, another father attending the event, said fathers play an important role in motivating children and helping them succeed.<\/p>\n
\u201cHow can I, as a dad, who isn\u2019t always around him, be able to fill him up, fortify him with education, motivation, and get him that traction to move forward,\u201d Citrone said.<\/p>\n
According to the district, about 6,000 fathers or guardians participated in last year\u2019s event, setting a record turnout. Officials said participation continues to grow each year.<\/p>\n
Superintendent Dr. Wayne N. Walters visited several schools throughout the day, including Pittsburgh Phillips, Pittsburgh Faison, Pittsburgh Linden and Pittsburgh Perry High School.<\/p>\n
At Pittsburgh Perry, organizers planned a Student vs. Dad All-Star Basketball Game in the school gymnasium featuring honorary coach Dwayne Barker. <\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Pittsburgh Langley K-8 scheduled an evening dance aimed at bringing families and the school community together.<\/p>\n
Walters said the district hopes the event encourages positive male involvement in children\u2019s lives beyond a single day.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve talked a lot about the presence of males in the lives of children and education, and this is just one day to invite them into the space and to actually hope that they come back and remain a positive presence in the lives of our children,\u201d Walters said.<\/p>\n
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