Class Dads

Prince George’s County Council Member At-Large Mel Franklin Launches The #FathersStandUp Pledge To Urge Fathers To Step Up Efforts To Improve Academic Achievement        

At Barack Obama Elementary School, Prince George's County Council Member (At-Large) Mel Franklin kicked off the 2019-20 school year with a new #FathersStandUp Pledge initiative to encourage fathers and father-figures in Prince George's County to pledge to play a stronger role in improving the academic achievement of their children. 

Over two hundred (200) fathers and father-figures have already signed the pledge and the goal is to reach over one thousand (1000) pledge signatories by the end of the school year.

The #FathersStandUp Pledge asks fathers and father-figures to walk with their children on the first day of school and do all of the following: (1) volunteer at least 10 hours at their child's school during the school year; (2) spend at least 30 minutes each day assisting their child with homework, reading, or school projects; (3) attend at least two parent-teacher conferences during the school year, one for each half of the year; (4) attend Back to School Nights and Men Make a Difference Day events at their child's school; (5) join and be active in the parent-teacher organization (PTO, PTA, or PTSA) at their child's school; and (6) be a positive role model for their child and help Prince George's County set an example for our nation. Today, Council Member Franklin released the following statement:

“When the fathers of our communities join our mothers as partners in improving the learning of our children, test scores and achievement go way up. The #FathersStandUp Pledge calls on Prince George's County fathers and father-figures to set an example for our region and our nation, especially in communities of color, to become engaged with our schools like never before and make a huge difference in the success of our most precious resource, our kids. We will take the #FathersStandUp Pledge boards to school events, churches, businesses, community meetings, and other venues throughout the year to connect and sign up fathers and families all across our county.”

Fathers and father-figures can sign the #FathersStandUp Pledge online here: https://tinyurl.com/fathers-stand-up. During the school year, Council Member Franklin and his staff will visit community events, businesses, and community meetings with the #FathersStandUp pledge boards to encourage fathers and father-figures to sign up in person. The forty-five (45) highest poverty public schools and the nearby communities will be a special focus of the #FathersStandUp Pledge. #FathersStandUp is an Advisory Neighborhood Community (ANC) Initiative of the Office of Council Member Mel Franklin (At-Large).