School brings dads to table

Lunchtime had arrived at Sand Pine Elementary and James Rebel was right there in the cafeteria line, grabbing a tray just like his three children.

The school, which serves 710 students, was holding its annual Dads' Day Lunch and Rebel, the father of 9-year-old triplets Jimmy, Justine and Julia, didn't want to miss it.

"It's just quality time with the kids," Rebel said. "If you don't get involved, they don't think you care."

Traditionally, mothers have been more involved in school activities than fathers, so schools throughout Pasco County make a special effort to draw in fathers by organizing events aimed specifically for them, such as the Dads' Day Lunch.

"It's strategic," Sand Pine Assistant Principal Todd Cluff said.

Many schools also have created a Dads' Club and the members often tackle projects to help improve the campuses. Cluff said the Sand Pine club isn't as active as it once was, and one of the goals this year is to change that.

The school held its Dads' Day Lunch over two days at the end of last week. A year ago, the annual event drew about 300 fathers, said Nicole LaRocca, the school's guidance secretary. In some cases, grandparents or other family members came in place of fathers.

Rebel said he enjoys playing an integral role in his children's lives. He and his wife, Kathy, both work, so they do a lot of tag-team parenting during the week. On some evenings, Rebel picks up the triplets, prepares their dinner and helps with their homework.

On other days, he might drop them off at school in the morning.

"We have to split the work 50-50," he said.

Jose Forgas, also the father of three Sand Pine students, said a dad's participation in school events helps set a foundation for children's lives.

"You have to support them in school, in sports, in church," Forgas said.

He has visited the school for movie night, bingo, the book fair and other events.

"He's awesome," said daughter Taylor, 10, as she gave Forgas a hug.

She and her twin brother, T.J., are in fifth grade. Forgas' other daughter, Katie, is a 5-year-old kindergarten student.

Father involvement and school success data were analyzed by Brent McBride of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, along with several colleagues.

They found that if fathers were involved early in their child's life, the dads are more likely to be involved in their school years.

The results of McBride's research were published in an article, "The Differential Impact of Early Father and Mother Involvement on Later Student Achievement," in the May issue of the Journal of Educational Psychology.

Scott Doyle said that he tries to make it to the Dads' Day Lunch every year.

Like the other fathers, he believes it's important to get involved in his children's lives.

"It shows the parents are interested in their kids' day-to-day activities and that you think school is important," he said.

Doyle has three children: Colin, 9, Molly, 8, and Patrick, 6.

Patrick perhaps was most excited about the Dads' lunch.

"He's been asking me about this every day this week," Doyle said.

Doyle was relieved Thursday to finally be able to tell Patrick the day had arrived.

At a nearby table, Charles Fleming just watched as his son, Marquise, 10, a fifth-grader, ate.

Fleming planned to join his daughters, Ibree, 7, and Aniya, 6, during their lunch periods as well, so he had to pace himself to avoid eating three times.

For Fleming, last week was a rare opportunity to spend time with those three and another son, Martell, 12, a sixth-grader at Long Middle School.

Fleming is a truck driver, so he's away from home more often than he would like.

"It's hard, but you've got to bring that food home," Fleming said.

Fleming said that for awhile he got away from truck driving and was with the children every day. When the economy soured, though, he found himself back on the roads.

"The last year and a half has been hectic," Fleming said. "It's been hard."

Although Sand Pine makes the Dads' Day Lunch an annual event, fathers don't have to wait for a special occasion to have lunch with their children, Cluff said.

They can do it any day and many take advantage of that opportunity, he said.

"On an average day, we will still have a dozen dads come in and have lunch," he said.