Fathers at Esperanza

Fathers' Day seemed to be an appropriate day to write about how we can involve fathers (biological, stepfather, adopted father, grandfather, and/or other male role model or father figure) at Esperanza.

I recently finished reading the book Principals Matter by Mavis G. Sanders and Steven B. Sheldon. There is a chapter in the book focused primarily on how to involve fathers and why it is important to do so. Research studies have shown that fathers have a unique influence on children and therefore, ignoring their place in the school and with their children would be a loss of a tremendous resource. For this reason, as we develop our School, Family, Community Partnership plan father involvement goals need to be part of the plan taking into consideration the different educational and ethnic/cultural backgrounds of the fathers.

Based on the determined vision and specific goal(s) for father involvement some of the following goals might be appropriate:

• "Donuts for Dads" biweekly or monthly held in the parent center where fathers can mingle together


• Implement FatherRead


• Implement the Hispanic Father/Son Program patterned after the program Dr. Josie Tinajero developed in Texas


• Arrange to have a night at a place such as Lowe's were fathers and children can do some project together


• Invite fathers to share their "funds of knowledge"


• Specifically ask to speak to the father when making friendly calls to the home


• Have a "fun night" at the school specifically for fathers and their children

It might take up to three years to develop a high quality program that involves fathers but the effort will be well worth it for the impact it will have on our Esperanza scholars and their families.