Ashley Hunter
ECB Publishing, Inc.
When it comes to involvement at school, it would be hard to deny that mothers and women tend to take the lead.
At Jefferson Somerset, school staff and administration are trying to find ways to change the climate of school by involving fathers, grandfathers and male role models in as many aspects of school as possible.
One way is through the school's
Watch DOGS (Dads Of Great Students) program, which meets regularly and involves putting the men in their child's classrooms to read, help with homework or assist the teacher.
Another father-focused event took place on Wednesday, Sept. 26 in the form of a 'Donuts For Dads' breakfast with the students.
Inspired by the Florida Department of Education's “Dads Take Your Child 
to School Day” (which was also September 26), Jefferson Somerset provided coffee and donuts in the media center and invited fathers to stop by with their student at the beginning of
the day.
The response was astounding. There was hardly a place to sit as father-figures and students shared coffee, juice boxes and donuts while dads conversed with other fathers and students showed off their dads to their friends.
After finishing breakfast, the groups were invited to settle into a quiet corner and read books together.
The event began at 7:30 a.m., and lasted until around 8:30 a.m., with all the father-figures encouraged to walk their student to their classrooms after the doughnut and coffee (or juice box) breakfast.
“The beautiful thing is your children see you interacting in this beautiful atmosphere,” said Vice-Principal Andre Gainey at the beginning of the 
Donuts For Dads breakfast. “It is a beautiful thing to know your children love you and they love their school and want to show you their environment.”
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