New from the National Responsible Fatherhood Clearinghouse!
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Each year as summer draws to a close, teachers, parents, and students start thinking about and preparing for school. August is Back to School Month. Celebrated since the 1960s, Back to School Month signals the end of summer and the start of a new school year. Getting ready for school means more than just shopping for school supplies. It requires getting back into a routine that may have been relaxed during the summer months. It also means coordinating schedules, which can be extra challenging for blended families where kids spend time in different households. The 2021 school year has its own unique challenges due to lingering concerns related to the “new normal.”
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One of the first steps to take toward getting kids mentally and physically ready for school is to schedule a primary care doctor’s visit for your child, have their eyesight checked, and make sure they are up to date on all vaccines.
Summer break is often treated as a “break” in routine with relaxed rules and less structure. Getting back on track with healthy habits related to nutrition, rest, and exercise should start a couple of weeks before the first day of school so both you and your children have time to adjust. Here are some other things to consider:
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School Options/Requirements. Many schools are opening for in-person classes. Some schools are still offering virtual or even hybrid versions of school. You’ll want to know your options so you can make an informed decision based on your child’s age and circumstances. If your child will be attending school in person, you’ll need to know about mask and distancing requirements so you can prepare your child.
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School Health. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is a great resource for Adolescent and School Health. In addition to updates related to COVID guidelines for schools, the CDC also provides information regarding mental health and protective and risk factors for youth. You can also find great statistics on the correlation between good health and good grades.
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Lunch and Snacks. We know healthy meals and snacks are important for kids. Schools offer nutritionally balanced meals. The challenge is being sure your child is making healthy choices when you aren’t there. School lunches are often listed on the school website. Review the menu online to see if it includes food your child will eat. Talk about it with your child. Consider packing your child’s lunch or sending a healthy snack for days you don’t think the school lunch option will work. Also plan to keep healthy snack options at home for afterschool.
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Parental Cooperation. Whether it’s scheduling afterschool activities, coordinating lunches, or reinforcing academic expectations, parental cooperation and support are key elements to a successful school year. This can be extra challenging when you’re managing multiple children or separate households. Take time to check in each week to make sure everyone is on the same page.
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Additional Educational Resources. The U.S. Department of Education offers lots of other resources for parents, students, and teachers. Whether you’re sending your little one off to pre-k for the first time or dropping them off at college, your involvement can make this a great year!
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NRFC 2021 Virtual Event: Plenary Videos
If you were not able to join us during the NRFC 2021 Virtual Event, you can view the recordings of our two dynamic plenaries! Plenary I, Understanding the Mindset and Needs of Low-Income Fathers, featured a panel of fathers, and Plenary II, Uplifting Low-Income Fathers: The Context for Changing Hearts, Minds, Behaviors, and Outcomes, was delivered by the amazing and “delightfully different” Dr. Adolph Brown. The feedback we received during these two sessions was amazing! Don’t miss these incredible plenaries!
Click the images to view the plenaries.
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We are available by phone.
If you need resources or support, give us a call on our
Parent Help Line at 1-877-4-DAD-411 (1-877-432-3411).
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Practitioners working with fathers can support fathers and families through access to information and resources. First and foremost, encouraging dads to get involved in their child’s education is a great place to start. Dads don’t have to know the answers to homework--just knowing their child is doing homework is important. Here are some specific ideas for practitioners:
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School Supplies Drive. Collect school supplies and make them available to families in need. Backpacks, calculators, and even pencils and paper can be a huge help to struggling families.
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School Presentation. Invite a local principal or another educator to make a presentation to fathers in your program. They can share ideas on how dads can support their kids education and inform them about homework help available through the school.
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Volunteer Event. Coordinate a father-friendly volunteer event at a local school. Projects like painting the cafeteria, landscaping a courtyard, or planting a garden can give dads an opportunity to get involved in a non-academic way. Volunteering can reduce the intimidation factor for dads who may not have had positive academic experiences.
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Take Part in the Million Fathers March (MFM). The Million Fathers March is an opportunity for men to show their commitment to the educational lives of their children throughout the school year. Since the march began in 2004, fathers and other significant male caregivers across the United States have gathered to accompany their children to school on a designated day (this year, September 17, 2021). Each annual MFM marks the beginning of a year-long commitment by fathers to their children’s educational success.
MFM is a community-driven event inclusive of fathers and significant male caregivers, representatives from entities such as public and private schools, community-based organizations, government agencies, local businesses, father-serving programs, and faith-based institutions, along with elected officials who register to support the march. Be sure to register and encourage fathers to register as well.
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Disclaimer: Reference to specific products, services, or companies does not constitute endorsement or recommendation by the U.S. Government, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), or the National Responsible Fatherhood Clearinghouse. ACF is not responsible for the contents of “off-site” web page references or for any private, third-party, pop-up, or browser-integrated software or applications.
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Upcoming Events
NRFC is monitoring events and will update our website and in newsletters if events are canceled.
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Our Mission: The goals of the National Responsible Fatherhood Clearinghouse are to provide, facilitate, and disseminate current research and proven and innovative strategies that will encourage and strengthen fathers and families and providers of services.
Our Resources: Visit the NRFC website for fatherhood topics and tools, news, and new publications, which can be found through the NRFC online library search.
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