“The best way to raise positive children in a negative world is to have positive parents who love them unconditionally and serve as excellent role models.”        ~Zig Ziglar 
 
     On Saturday, February 27th, a group consisting of dads, granddads, uncles, and “pirans” and yes, moms, gathered at St. Martinville High to participate in DADS’ Day. This activity was implemented within the St. Martin Parish School System eighteen (18) years ago and continues to be a fun event for youngsters and their dads, and/or “surrogate fathers.” 
Dads’ Day could not occur without the support of many who make it happen.  I want to thank Mrs. Nicole Angelle, Early Childhood Supervisor, and the many volunteers who come from within the school system—teachers, support personnel, and administrators, and Board members for their support of this endeavor.  I also want to thank Sheriff Ronnie Theriot, St. Martin Parish Sheriff, and his staff for providing hot dogs and chips, Coca Cola for supplying coke products, and RyTeck for discounting tee-shirts.  Dell Computers is also deserving of accolades for its annual support shown through a tangible door prize—a Dell tablet.   The winner of this tablet was Mr. Alvin Robertson, the grandfather of a student who attends St. Martinville Primary. 
     We are certainly appreciative to all who have and continue to show support for Dads’ Day!  Dads’ Day is of critical importance when one considers the impact and long term implications for students who have a “father figure” in their lives.  Research indicates the significant role that fathers have on their child’s overall well-being and their educational experiences. Dads do have a significant impact on the educational outcomes of our students as evidenced in the following research: 

A noted sociologist, Dr. Davide Popenoe, stated, Involved fathers bring positive benefits to their children that no other person is as likely to bring.  Please see below:  

1. Children with involved, caring fathers have better educational outcomes.

• higher IQs
• better language and cognitive capacities

2. Toddlers with involved fathers experience

• higher levels of  academic readiness.
• more patient and can handle the stresses and frustrations.

3. The influence of a father's involvement on academic achievement extends into adolescence and young adulthood.

• better verbal skills
• impacts  intellectual functioning,
• academic achievement

4. highly involved biological fathers had children who were

• 43 percent more likely than other children to earn mostly As
• 33 percent less likely than other children to repeat a grade.

5. Even from birth, children who have an involved fathers are

• emotionally secure,
•  be confident to explore their surroundings,
• have better social connections with peers.
• These children also are less likely to get in trouble at home, school, or in the neighborhood.

6.  The way fathers play with their children also has an important impact on a child's emotional and social development.
7.  Generally speaking, fathers also tend to promote independence and an orientation to the outside world.
8. Fathers often push achievement while mothers stress nurturing, both of which are important to healthy development.
9. As a result, children who grow up with involved fathers are more comfortable exploring the world around them and more likely to exhibit self-control and pro-social behavior.
10.  This same study found that boys with involved fathers had fewer school behavior problems and that girls had stronger self-esteem.
11.  In addition, numerous studies have found that children who live with their fathers

• are more likely to have good physical and emotional health
• to achieve academically
• avoid drugs, violence, and delinquent behavior.

In short, fathers have a powerful and positive impact upon the development and health of children.  Dads’ Day has become a tradition within the St. Martin Parish School System.  Let’s continue to celebrate this day with an emphasis on the positive outcomes for students.   Dads—you rock!