Imani School Dad’s Superhero Day

COMMUNITY Imani School Dad’s Superhero Day

By d-mars.com News Provider

or the third consecutive year, The Imani School held its Dad’s Superhero Day. This was their biggest year yet, with over 30 dads participating. Fathers of students at The Imani School dressed up as various superheroes and spent the day spreading positivity and excitement throughout each class at the school. Pre-K through first grade students were visited by the superheroes and read stories while third through eighth graders had open discussions with the superheroes about mantras. These mantras are comprised of encouraging messages based on lessons the teachers wanted their students to hear. “With the older students,” Teeba Rose, president of The Imani S chool’s Dads Club, said. “The superheroes get the chance to tell students how they accomplished their goals and encourage them i n how they can accomplish theirs too.”

Following the classroom visits, the students lined the hallways for a parade led by the Marshall High School band. They brought in a 31-piece band along with the drum majors to march through the hallways with the superhero dads following behind, handing out smiles and high fives. The parade ended with the entire school gathering in the ballroom to watch the band perform. F

“We were very fortunate to have the Marshall High School band join us this year,” Rose said. “It was incredible. Most of these students have only witnessed performances like this on television or at parades downtown but never up close in their own environment like this.”

While this event has doubled in the number of participating dads since its first year, it has also exponentially influenced participation in other events at the school. More d ads than ever are signing up to participate in not only the Superhero Day, but also other events put on by The Imani School Dad’s Club such as their annual camping trip and daddy-daughter dance.

“Too see all of these African American fathers taking off time from work to join in on experiences with their children is a great implication of showing our kids versus telling them,” Rose said. “The kids were able to see what is possible, that family members can show up and be a part of things, that fathers can be strong participants and support systems.” Th e Imani School has made it a point for the school to be a place of cultural and emotional enrichment, in addition to educational enrichment. The Dad’s Club is a way to help the students learn beyond what is taught in the classroom by giving them experiences and interactions to gain knowledge from such as Dad’s Superhero Day.

“We believe that our school is Wakanda and our students are the Vibranium,” — Rose said