A new initiative is challenging fathers and father figures to get involved in their students' education.
Gov. Rick Scott has proclaimed Wednesday, Sept. 30, as "Dads Take Your Child to School Day."
Leaders at Seminole Springs Elementary School, in Eustis, planned a "Donuts with Dad" breakfast for Wednesday morning.
It's just one of many schools statewide that are participating in the initiative. The purpose is to encourage fathers, stepfathers, uncles and other men who play the role of a father to bring their children to school because parental involvement is a proven factor in student success.
"We already have great involvement with our moms, and we want to keep that," said Stephanie Mayuski, the principal at Pine Ridge Elementary School in Clermont. "But, we also want to expand that and invite our dads and all our other male father figures to be involved in their child's education — whether that's volunteering or helping in the classroom or just helping their child at night with homework."
Mayuski said the school places calls to students' homes in an effort to urge dads to drop off their kids and sit down with them for breakfast in the cafeteria.
Parents are also being asked to share their photos and stories from today online.
Use the hashtag #FLDadsAtSchoolDay for pictures on social media.