Emotions run high on the first day of school, but it wasn't as bad for many students, since many of the kids were accompanied by their fathers.
At 8:10 a.m., first-year Arts High School Principal Devonne Gorman ushered in 146 first-year students into the Central Ward to began the traditional one-week bridge program that allows 9th graders to get an earlier glance at the inner workings of the high school concept.
During the transition into high school, incoming 9th-grade students encounter a bewildering array of new emotions, faces, responsibilities, distractions, social situations and intellectual challenges.
Although "Dad’s Take Your Children to School Day" is traditionally celebrated on September 25, many of the Arts High School fathers took the special opportunity to be with their daughters to offer much-needed moral support and strength.
According to The Fathers Project, research shows that when fathers/father-figures (resident and non-resident alike) are actively involved in the school community beyond just attending sporting events, children:
- Perform better in school
- Go further with their education
- Exhibit healthier behavior
- Have fewer discipline problems
- Are more likely to participate in extracurricular activities
- Enjoy school more
The Father's Project said involvement includes: volunteering, attending class, grade and whole school events, participating in conferences, being involved in the parent association, and attending sports events.
While most summer bridge programs in NJ reflect a wide variety of operational configurations, instructional philosophies and learning goals, the most effective and high-impact programs—those designed to eliminate skill gaps, accelerate learning and prepare all participating students for success in high school.
Arts High School staff also reserved the final two days of the program for students to spend with their major teachers.
For students who enter high school unprepared academically, emotionally, or socially, the stakes are incredibly high.
As part of a nationwide movement to get fathers involved, a couple of the dads today said they felt early engagement from dads contributes to student achievement.
“Our kids will see that their dads really value education and learn to take this seriously as a business,” an Arts High School parent told RLS Media.