New Haven Elementary, New Haven Community Schools, has been selected as a recipient of the Michigan Association of School Boards 2011 Michigan’s Best Award for its All Pro Dads Breakfast program.
The following post is written by guest blogger Aaron Sutherland, Principal, New Haven Community School.
It is truly an honor to be recognized for such a rewarding program in our building. It is absolutely wonderful to see the impact of All Pro Dads on the culture of our K-5 population. Last Friday we had 107 dads and students attend our kick-off breakfast for 2011-2012. Every single breakfast warms your heart as dads tell the whole group why they are proud of their child. It is amazing to see the pride and confidence that this activity instills in the students. Another positive consequence of this program is the relationship I now have with the fathers of our school. There are many communications handled in a positive manner because the father has had a great experience with our school and we have a pre-existing relationship with the dad. In a setting where moms are the primary contact, New Haven Elementary is seeing our dads feel more comfortable interacting with the school and staff. In the end, all of our students are benefitting from this cultural change.