Kids at P.S. 186 take their dads to school

On September 20, students at P.S. 186 took their dads to school – literally.

The nationwide initiative, “Children Take Your Dad to School Day,” is also a project of the New York State Office of Children and Family Services as well as the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance.

“It promotes parental involvement and having positive role models in the children’s lives,” said Rita Horne, assistant principal of P.S. 186, located at 7601 19th Avenue in Bensonhurst.

“When children have positive male role models in their lives, they have a better chance of growing into confident and productive adults,” said New York City Schools Chancellor Dennis Walcott. “It’s important that we all support our students, and I look forward to the continued involvement of our fathers, grandfathers, and male caregivers.”

About 250 dads brought their kids to school on a crisp Thursday morning and stayed for an hour, doing assorted hands-on arts and crafts. All fathers walked away with refreshments and a certificate of participation signed by Principal Bayan Cadotte.

In one kindergarten class, dads helped their children cut out words and make them into an “apple core” for a fun art project.

Shawn Ponce was with his five-year-old son, Sam. “I was looking forward to coming to see him and the types of activities he is doing,” he said.

Lazaro Vulux agreed. “I want to spend more time with him and get to know his teacher,” he said of his son, Joseph.

Jeff Ramos said that his daughter, Leandra, told him about the special day. “Every time she hears [of any] daddy stuff, she wants me to be a part of it,” he said. “I can’t say no.”