According to officials, last week, hundreds of fathers and male mentors throughout Newark walked their children to school, as part of KIPP New Jersey’s annual “Male Mentors Walk Your Child to School Day.”
Officials say each year, this special day is celebrated and fathers and father figures are encouraged to show solidarity and support for their children and the community by escorting their children to school.
Once at school, male mentors spend time in their child’s classroom and share in their belief in the value of education.
The male mentors showed solidarity and support to all students. At KIPP BOLD Academy, a school located on 18th Avenue serving students in grades 5-8, one student bravely shared that he didn’t have a father in his life.
Without hesitation, another student’s dad responded, “I’m your dad.” And one by one around the room each dad echoed, “And I’m your dad.” Standing together were men in suits, some in uniforms, some in street clothes, all with the common knowledge that they can be models for these students and the Newark community.
Acording to officials, KIPP New Jersey has eight public charter schools in Newark educating more than 4,300 students in grades K-12. KIPP NJ’s high school sends more African-American students to four-year colleges than any other high school in Newark and alumni earn college degrees at 3.5X the national average for students from low-income families.