Dads aim to reverse school trend

By BRIAN WALKER

Staff Writer

POST FALLS — Sixth-grader Mykal Hernandez has entered Post Falls Middle School, but not without her father, Pablo, taking a firsthand interest in her life in the classroom.

Pablo was among nearly 100 dads, stepdads and guardians who, with their students, packed the school's library Monday morning for the kickoff of the middle school's new All Pro Dad program aimed at getting men more involved with kids' education experience.

"Mykal is starting middle school, so that's a huge step in her life," Pablo said. "I want to be a part of it. I want to know how to be a proactive and better dad. I want to be able to see what she she is doing. It's up to us as parents to be involved."

School staffers Ryan Heasty, Landon Anderson and Ron Simpson have been working on forming a local chapter of the national program for a few years. One of the program's most famous proponents is Tony Dungy, who regularly posts photos of his kids’ monthly meetings on Twitter.

"Over the past several years, we have noticed a lack of male involvement at Post Falls Middle School," Heasty said. "We want to provide these males with a group they can belong to so they feel welcomed on campus. The more parents we have involved on campus the stronger our school will be."

The goal, Heasty said, is to provide students, and the male role models in their lives, an opportunity to spend quality time together.

"Studies show that students who have a positive role model in their lives have a higher graduation rate and a lower incarceration rate," Heasty said. "This is a chance to help these role models instill value and worth into their student. This is primarily done through a monthly meeting where dads and students eat breakfast together and get a chance to talk about different life issues."

Hernandez said in an age when social media is vying for students' time — and oftentimes winning — now is more critical than ever for parents to be involved in their kids' lives at school.

With moms typically more involved with getting their children to school, on parent-teacher organizations and spearheading fundraisers, Pablo said dads should also do their part to step up to the plate.

Anderson said males, whether it was his father or youth volunteer coaches, played a pivotal role in his upbringing.

"They had a tremendous impact on my life," said Anderson, adding that he wants the same situation for students.

Eighth-grader Tyler Dean, who attended the meeting with his father, Kevin, said it was cool having his dad there.

"It's nice to have someone here who cares what's going on," Tyler said.

Kevin said the world has changed a lot since he was a student and he believes it's critical to be involved.

"There's no handbook for being a dad," Kevin said. "I want to be able to take a peek to see what he's doing."

Kevin said being involved in the program will complement the outdoor activities he enjoys with Tyler.

"Too many times by the time dad gets involved, it's too late," Kevin said.

Simpson said the intent of the group is to stimulate communication between the males and students.

"A lot of times all that is said is, 'You need to be more respectful,' and it's left at that," he said. "Let's take it a step further and have dialogue with open-ended questions."

Service projects involving All Pro Dad members, including constructing a climbing wall in the school's small gym, are in the works to incorporate involvement.

"We have the opportunity to have a powerful impact on campus," Heasty said.

The group at its first meeting focused on the word "responsibility," which rang home for Jason Marchioro, who attended with stepdaughter Kayleigh Dunlap. He said some dads "side-step" that trait.

"In many cases there's not a lot of parental support, so I think it's great so many dads are here," he said.

Kayleigh was thankful for the company.

"I'm really happy he was able to be here," she said.