Dads, father figures help Wicomico Co. students start school year with best foot forward
WICOMICO COUNTY, Md. – A group of dads and father figures in Wicomico County is ensuring that students are getting a positive start to the school year.
Starting With Smiles
It’s the first Monday of the 2024-25 school year for those students. And, it’s the first time many students have ever attended class.
To get them feeling confident, fathers and other male role models from Fathers Forward were out in force at Beaver Run Elementary School. The guys had plenty of fist bumps, smiles, and encouragement to offer.
“We’ve got all kinds of dads out to welcome these young people, make them feel safe, feel welcome, and get them excited about school,” said President of Fathers Forward, Eugene Schneeberg.
Setting Examples, Encouraging Growth
Schneeberg says setting students up for success starts with showing them that the adults in their lives support them. That can be especially encouraging when the support is coming from a positive male figure, says Schneeberg.
“We want these kids to have a great school year, and we want them to feel excited about their education,” Schneeberg said. “Fathers are really important in their children’s lives just like moms are really important.”
Making a Difference
Fathers Forward is working with the Wicomico County Judy Center to spread that positivity throughout the district’s schools.
“The Judy Center’s model is to make sure you include the whole family,” said Judy Center on-site coordinator, Trina Tilghman-Dix. “We know here that a lot of times our fathers are left out. So, with the program, we want to make sure that men are involved in education, and not only that but also in the social-emotional part of their children’s lives.”
Tilghman-Dix says in working with Fathers Forward, she’s seen a big impact on both the dads and the kids.
“A lot of the men say they just feel like they have become better fathers and better mentors to not only their children but to others,” Tilghman-Dix said. “It reduces bullying in our schools, it reduces tardiness because kids want to come to school and feel like they are a part of someone else’s life. The men feel it, too. If they can help or be encouraging to one student, that’s all it takes.”
“Have a great year, have fun, learn, grow, and be a kid.”
For Schneeberg, the message to students is simple: “Have a great year, have fun, learn, grow, and be a kid.”
Fathers Forward is also starting up the Watch DOGS (Dads of Great Students) program. The goal is to get the dads and father figures into the classrooms on a regular basis. They would assist with reading to the students, mentoring, or just being a helping hand to the teachers.
Tilghman-Dix encourages men to get involved, even if they don’t have children of their own in the school system. “We would love to have you, and we know that you can make a difference.”
