Most educational experts know that one of the best ways to improve the academic performance of students is to get fathers and families to participate effectively in the educational and social-developmental lives of their children.  The Black Star Project is sponsoring the Million Father March 2013 on the first day of school in nearly 600 cities across America to get fathers and families more engaged with the education of their children.

 

“Education has become a matter of national security. If we cannot effectively educate our children, we cannot properly protect our country or our quality of life in America,” says Phillip Jackson, Executive Director of The Black Star Project, U.S.A.  The Million Father March is a special day when fathers and other men make a commitment to their children, their families, their communities and their country with their dynamic presence at a school.   Fathers are asked to make a year-long commitment by volunteering 10 hours during the coming school year at their child’s school.  This is the real Fathers Day!

 

Research shows that children whose fathers take an active role in their educational lives do better in school (earn better grades, score higher on tests, enjoy school more and are more likely to graduate from high school and attend college). Additionally, children whose fathers listen to and talk with them regularly, and are active in their lives, have fewer behavior problems.  Good fathers are part of a good parent team, which is critical to creating strong family structures. Strong family structures produce children who are more academically proficient, socially developed, and self-assured.  Such children become adults who are valuable assets to their communities. “Better parents produce better families, better communities, better schools, and better students with higher academic achievements,” says Jackson.

 

Participants in the Million Father March include fathers, grandfathers, foster fathers, stepfathers, uncles, cousins, big brothers, significant male caregivers, mentors and family friends.  Businesses are asked to give fathers and other men two hours off that morning, with pay, to take their children to school. Participating men will be encouraged to volunteer at schools throughout the year. A special effort will be made to coordinate Latino Fathers in La Marcha de Padres. Women and other family members and friends are also encouraged to be at schools on this day in support of fathers.

 

Since schools across America and the world start the new school year on different days and months, the March is a rolling event that occurs on the first day of the 2013 (between August 5, 2013, and September 17, 2013) in cities, villages, and towns nationwide.  Another opportunity, for fathers who miss the first-day event, is the National Fathers Take Your Children to School Day on Tuesday, September 10, 2013.

 

The 2013 Million Father March is managed by The Black Star Project, U.S.A. Please visit  www.blackstarproject.org to bring the Million Father March to your city. For complete information about the March, you may also call 773.285.9600 or email blackstar1000@ameritech.net.

372 Cities Have Signed  Up for the 2013 Million Father March!!! Click Here to See If Your City Has Signed Up. Every Father and Every Man in America Should Take A Child to School on the First Day of School for the Million Father March!!