Dr Mike Robinson at Western Kentucky University Panel Discussion on Fathers

Men Make a Difference Day

Men Make a Difference Day

Posted on October 10, 2011

By: Martina Bex

This has nothing to do with World Languages, but I want to share it with you because it is fantastic!!

Today, our school celebrated Men Make A Difference Day. This is a day created by Dr. Michael A. Robinson, CEO of Forest of the Rain Productions. According to Dr. Robinson, the goal of the day is to create parental engagement among men. There is some good information about this event on this page on EventBrite. Our school is always looking for new ways to engage our students’ families, so we are so thankful for this excellent idea!

Our students were encouraged to invite their fathers (or another important male figure–grandfather, uncle, neighbor, etc.) to school with them for the morning. Any man that wanted to participate had to sign a contract that said that he would be at school for the morning of 10/10/11, would attend one parent/teacher conference, and several other things that I have forgotten (one might have been helping with homework or attending a sporting/music event with his child). I’m not sure what our final participation was, but it was so many that we ran out of room in the breakfast room that we had prepared!

The men were served breakfast (a delicious breakfast with bacon that smelled up the entire school, torturing my pregnant nose!) during first period, and then attended their child’s second period class with their son or daughter. They also had a photo taken together during the breakfast which they were able to pick up before they left for the morning. I had 10 dads in my second period class of 32 students!! How awesome is that! It was so much fun to watch the kids watch their dads try to follow along and participate, and it was great exposure for World Languages–I made sure to plan today as a storytelling day What an excellent way for dads to have insight into the challenges that their children face at school, and for their children to see how much they mean to their dads that they would spend a morning with them and commit to spending more time investing in their education in the future.

I would encourage you to organize some celebration of Men Make a Difference Day for your school next year! It works well for our school because we have class on Columbus Day, but if you are among the lucky ones to have a day off, perhaps you can celebrate it at another time.

Men Make A Difference Day...What A Great Day!

Greetings and Thank You To All,

I am writing to give a RESOUNDING THANK YOU to every father, uncle, brother, nephew, cousin, and significant male role model who participated in the 2011 Men Make A Difference Day (MMDD) held all across America on October 10, 2011. A special THANK YOU goes out to members of PTA’s, PTO’s, Community Organizations, Boards of Education, Superintendents, Central Office staff, Principals, Counselors, Teachers, and School Based Personnel for opening their doors and welcoming fathers and other significant male role models into schools. Also, I would be remiss if I did not thank the thousands of mothers, sisters, wives, aunts and other significant female role models for their support of Men Make A Difference Day, without their unyielding belief and planning expertise there would be no Men Make A Difference Day.

Because of all of the support and commitment to increase parental engagement generated because of MMDD, we saw thousands of fathers and significant male role models visit schools, observe classrooms volunteer, and join their local PTA and other formal parent organizations. We know from years of research when fathers or a significant male role model is involved in the academic lives of children, there is increase academic achievement and improved social behavior. The presence of male role models who are taking an active role in the educational process in their community are by their mere support suggesting our public schools are the hub the community and must be fully funded. I want to ensure all who participated and supported this national event that is just the start of our national movement to increase parental engagement as a means to create high performing schools nationwide.

Please join me in thanking the thousands of men for their pledge to make a difference and stay engaged in the academic lives of their children. Below, you will find a few follow up points of information. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at 301.776.2384 or via email at forestoftherain@gmail.com

Pictures: We are looking to capture this remarkable day with pictures, if you or your organization, please forward pictures to forestoftherain@gmail.com

Survey (October 12, 2011-November 14, 2011): We are looking to capture the voices of men and school officials regarding their views of the 2011 Men Make A Difference Day. If you or your organization participated in the Men Make A Difference Day is 10.10.11 please respond to a short survey at …..http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/XX2SGXN

DAD’s Pledge of Engagement: I pledge to remain engaged in the academic life of my child. As an engaged father, dedicated dad, or significant male role I pledge to…….Please have dad’s and significant male role models to sign the DAD’s Pledge of Engagement at http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/pledgeofengagement/



Regards,

The Important Role Men Have In The Academic Success of Students Both In and Out of The Classroom

Living Education eMagazine Presents Men In The Classroom from Forest Of The Rain Productions on Vimeo.

Men Make A Difference Day: 10.10.11

Twenty Thousand Fathers in Prince George’s County Maryland Asked to Lead the Nation Back to School this Fall and Stay Engaged. The Prince George’s County Male Initiative Presents:

The Million Father March 2011 on August 22, 2011
Men Make A Difference Day 2011 on October 10, 2011


“Children with involved fathers, on average, do better in school, have a greater motivation to succeed, have higher self-esteem and more confidence in unfamiliar settings, and are less like to be delinquent or abuse substances like drugs and alcohol” (Battaglia, 2006, p.2).

On October 10, 2010 fathers and significant male role models in the lives of children will be called to visit their child's school. We are asking fathers and all father figures to observe classroom instruction, to meet school officials and to volunteer at least seven hours of your time over the school year.“Children whose fathers are involved in their education have greater academic achievement than their peers, even when taking into account their mothers’ involvement. Father's involvement in their children's education was associated with greater academic achievement, even when controlling for mothers' involvement" (McBride, Brent A. 2005).For more information please click on: http://www.familyfacts.org/findingdetail.cfm?finding=9373.

Fathers/significant male role models: Have a major impact on student success.Data shows that when fathers and significant male role models are involved students:• Make As and Bs • Have greater motivation to succeed • Have higher self-esteem • Have less health and emotional problems • More confidence • Are less likely to use drugs • Girls are less likely to engage in pre-marital sex • Are less likely to become teenage parents

Men Make A Difference Day

Men Make A Difference Day

On October 11, 2010 Fathers and significant male role models in the lives of children are being called to visit their child's school. We are asking fathers and all father figures to observe classroom instruction, to meet school officials and to volunteer at least seven hours of your time over the school year.
“Children whose fathers are involved in their education have greater academic achievement than their peers, even when taking into account their mothers’ involvement. Father's involvement in their children's education was associated with greater academic achievement, even when controlling for mothers' involvement" (McBride, Brent A. 2005).For more information please click on: http://www.familyfacts.org/findingdetail.cfm?finding=9373.

Fathers/significant male role models:

Have a major impact on student success. Data shows that when fathers and significant male role models are involved students: • Make As and Bs • Have greater motivation to succeed • Have higher self-esteem • Have less health and emotional problems • More confidence • Are less likely to use drugs • Girls are less likely to engage in pre-marital sex • Are less likely to become teenage parents