H-F invites students’ dads to campus

On Monday, March 30, 2023, H-F hosted a dad-based event where students’ fathers come into the school and experience their children’s school life. The (Homewood-Flossmoor Parent Association) HFPA believed that the Dads of H-F students needed to be more involved in the H-F community. 

Just over 50 dads came to the school and were accompanied by counselors and administrators.

The HFPA thought of implementing more events involving dads to show the importance of male role models. 

The dads stopped by classes and roamed the hallways of both buildings, North and South, throughout the day. Multiple teachers volunteered to have the dads come in and listen to lessons, participate in class, and talk to students about the “high school dream”. 

Just like the students and teachers the dads were given a lunch break, but instead of it being lunch it was called “halftime”. Just like the NFL’s halftime, the dads were presented with performances by students that included The Six of Spades and Jazmin Rhodes who performed her 3 place oratory performance. While eating their lunch the school administrators got the dads all caught up with what the school year has looked like so far and expectations for the rest of the year. 

The HFPA has been talking of more dad-based events being planned like dances and recurring events in the works that help include dads into the H-F routine.

Erick Adkins from the dad squad felt that events like these help implement dads more and give them a sense of acceptance from the H-F community. 

Carla Erdey believes that giving parents a chance to come in and see what their student’s daily school life is like helps them feel more comfortable leaving their children in a school they know cares about them. 

Carla states “parents want their children in a safe space that provides a good education and adequate mentors that they can confide in with keeping their children safe and on track with their education.”