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WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. White Plains fathers are invited to accompany their children to school Thursday, Sept. 20, for the White Plains Dad Take Your Child to School Day, which is part of the Youth Bureau's fatherhood initiative.
As the parent of two boys, I know firsthand how important it is for fathers to be actively engaged in their childrens lives," White Plains Mayor Thomas Roach said in a statement. "I also know that, at times, this can be hard, as we all face numerous daily personal and professional responsibilities. Thats why this day is so important and special."
Roach will be joined Thursday by Superintendent of White Plains schools Chris Clouet, Youth Bureau Director Frank Williams and other fathers, grandfathers, uncles and father figures at the school district's nine campuses.
There will be a brief program at the beginning of the school day. Afterward, fathers can join their children in the classroom.
The Youth Bureau's Fatherhood Initiative, which falls under the umbrella of President Barack Obama's Fatherhood and Mentoring Initiative, began in 2009 and encourages fathers to play an active role in their children's lives.
"I work with so many children in this community who don't have a father around," said Williams, a father of two daughters. "The spirit of this is to help fathers reclaim their purpose and play an active role in the positive development of their children. We know when fathers are involved we see higher outcomes, we see greater success, we see a healthier community."
Like the Fatherhood and Mentoring Initiative, the Dad Take Your Child to School Day also began in 2009.
"In White Plains, the community response to Dads take Your Children to School Day has been very positive, and that really says something about the strength of our community, Roach said in a statement.
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