Post by title1parent on Aug 25, 2009 5:25:45 GMT -5
www.suburbanchicagonews.com/beaconnews/news/1732904,2_1_AU25_SCHOOLDADS_S1-090825.article
Fathers get a lesson in parenting
August 25, 2009
By ROWENA VERGARA rvergara@scn1.com
A new school year calls for fresh beginnings and changed attitudes, not just for students but for parents as well.
On Monday, as East Aurora School District students attended their first day of classes, many of their fathers vowed to become better parents and role models for their children.
About 35 fathers of East Aurora children met at the high school for a discussion about what it takes to be an exceptional father. They gathered after accompanying their sons and daughters on their first day of classes.
"For you to be here, shatters all stereotypes of East Aurora fathers not caring about our children," Superintendent Jerome Roberts said. "No one can say the fathers of the East Side don't care. You're part of history. You've started a movement."
The breakfast and discussion were held in conjunction with the nationwide Million Father March, which has been held at schools across the country for the past six years. This is East Aurora's first year participating.
The host of the seminar, East Aurora spokesman Clayton Muhammad, reminded them that sons remember their fathers in one of two ways: a good father whom they would aspire to be like, or a father they'd never want to be like, and would work hard not to repeat their mistakes.
Dads were also reminded of the fact that when children have a positive father figure, they are less likely to get involved with crime, drugs or smoking.
Antonio Contreras attended the forum because he's the only father figure in his nephew's life. He told the crowd of men that he wanted to make sure his nephew excelled at East Aurora High School, his alma mater.
Luis Carmona, 24, is not a father. But he learned that he has a lot of work to do to become a positive influence in his younger brother's life. Both of Carmona's parents could not attend the seminar because of work. Often because of their jobs, they can't be there for their 16-year-old son's events and activities.
"Younger children can easily get involved with the wrong crowds," Carmona said. "I want to learn the good ways of becoming a role model."
Samuel Nunez, another dad, committed himself to becoming a better father after he heard dads speak about their missteps. Nunez is a father of six, with two students in East Aurora schools.
"I have been a bad father, I think," Nunez said, in a stern voice. "I spend too much time working and I have a business on top of that. I spent four months once without having a day off, even Sundays. That takes all that time away from your children. ... Starting today, I'm going to have to sacrifice. I'm going to change my ways." Fathers applauded him.
Benjamin Thompson, who has a daughter in the sixth grade at Waldo Middle School, had the privilege of taking his daughter to class on her first day. It was a first for him, too. He used to live in Downers Grove, but finally moved closer to his daughter this summer.
"It was really exciting, and I enjoyed it," he said. "Any way I can step up, I will. Now that I'm close, I'm able to be more involved with her. It felt really good." east aurora dads go to class
Fathers get a lesson in parenting
August 25, 2009
By ROWENA VERGARA rvergara@scn1.com
A new school year calls for fresh beginnings and changed attitudes, not just for students but for parents as well.
On Monday, as East Aurora School District students attended their first day of classes, many of their fathers vowed to become better parents and role models for their children.
About 35 fathers of East Aurora children met at the high school for a discussion about what it takes to be an exceptional father. They gathered after accompanying their sons and daughters on their first day of classes.
"For you to be here, shatters all stereotypes of East Aurora fathers not caring about our children," Superintendent Jerome Roberts said. "No one can say the fathers of the East Side don't care. You're part of history. You've started a movement."
The breakfast and discussion were held in conjunction with the nationwide Million Father March, which has been held at schools across the country for the past six years. This is East Aurora's first year participating.
The host of the seminar, East Aurora spokesman Clayton Muhammad, reminded them that sons remember their fathers in one of two ways: a good father whom they would aspire to be like, or a father they'd never want to be like, and would work hard not to repeat their mistakes.
Dads were also reminded of the fact that when children have a positive father figure, they are less likely to get involved with crime, drugs or smoking.
Antonio Contreras attended the forum because he's the only father figure in his nephew's life. He told the crowd of men that he wanted to make sure his nephew excelled at East Aurora High School, his alma mater.
Luis Carmona, 24, is not a father. But he learned that he has a lot of work to do to become a positive influence in his younger brother's life. Both of Carmona's parents could not attend the seminar because of work. Often because of their jobs, they can't be there for their 16-year-old son's events and activities.
"Younger children can easily get involved with the wrong crowds," Carmona said. "I want to learn the good ways of becoming a role model."
Samuel Nunez, another dad, committed himself to becoming a better father after he heard dads speak about their missteps. Nunez is a father of six, with two students in East Aurora schools.
"I have been a bad father, I think," Nunez said, in a stern voice. "I spend too much time working and I have a business on top of that. I spent four months once without having a day off, even Sundays. That takes all that time away from your children. ... Starting today, I'm going to have to sacrifice. I'm going to change my ways." Fathers applauded him.
Benjamin Thompson, who has a daughter in the sixth grade at Waldo Middle School, had the privilege of taking his daughter to class on her first day. It was a first for him, too. He used to live in Downers Grove, but finally moved closer to his daughter this summer.
"It was really exciting, and I enjoyed it," he said. "Any way I can step up, I will. Now that I'm close, I'm able to be more involved with her. It felt really good." east aurora dads go to class