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Nearly 600 volunteer to be absent father

Absent Father - Level 4

A school in the USA was surprised after getting many volunteers to be absent fathers. The school asked for 50 male volunteers to be substitute fathers at its "Breakfast with Dads" event. It was flooded with replies. Nearly 600 men turned up at the event. The school's very first "Breakfast with Dads" event was to help community spirit. Most of the children come from poorer families. Many of them did not have a father who could go to the breakfast.

The school said the breakfast event was part of plans to improve education. Community leaders and organizations worked on projects to increase test scores. Their efforts worked. A local pastor said: "When a young person sees someone other than their teacher take interest in them, it inspires them." A school liaison officer said: "The look of awe, even disbelief, in students' eyes as they made their way through the crowd of "Dads" was astonishing."

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Absent Father - Level 5

A school in the USA was surprised after being swamped by volunteers to be absent fathers. The school is in the city of Dallas. It asked for 50 male volunteers to be substitute fathers in an event called "Breakfast with Dads". Organizers were flooded with replies. They were shocked after nearly 600 men responded and turned up at the event. The school's very first "Breakfast with Dads" event was to improve community spirit. Most of the children come from low-income families. Many of them did not have a father who could go to the breakfast.

The school said the breakfast event was part of a plan to improve its academic position. Community leaders and local organizations combined in various projects to increase test scores. There has been some improvement at the school because of their efforts. A local pastor said: "When a young person sees someone other than their teacher take interest in them, it inspires them." A school liaison officer commented on the success of the event. She said: "The look of awe, even disbelief, in students' eyes as they made their way through the crowd of "Dads" was astonishing."

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11 online activities    |    8-page printable   (PDF)

Absent Father - Level 6

A junior high school in Texas, USA was pleasantly surprised after being swamped by volunteers to stand in for absent fathers. Billy Earl Dade Middle School, in the city of Dallas, posted on Facebook asking for 50 male volunteers to substitute for absent fathers in an event called "Breakfast with Dads". Event organizers were inundated with replies. They said they were astounded after nearly 600 men responded to the request and turned up at the event. The school's inaugural "Breakfast with Dads" event was to enhance community spirit. Around 90 per cent of the children come from low-income families. Many of the students did not have a father who was able to participate in the event.

The school said the "Breakfast with Dads" event was part of an overall plan to improve its academic position. Community leaders, mentors and local organizations have combined to implement various projects to increase test scores. There has been some academic improvement at the school as a result of their efforts. A local pastor, the Reverend Donald Parish Jr, said: "When a young person sees someone other than their teacher take interest in them, it inspires them." A school liaison officer, Ellyn Favors, commented on the success of the event. She said: "The look of awe, even disbelief, in students' eyes as they made their way through the crowd of "Dads" was astonishing."

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25 online activities    |    27-page printable    |    2-page mini-lesson