Attendees viewed Pixar’s The Good Dinosaur on the big screen, while enjoying complimentary popcorn, hot dogs and hamburgers, snow cones with local flavors, and beverages.
The success of the first-time endeavor was the result of the dedication of 17 fathers who make up Muller’s F.A.R.M. chapter, which stems from a partnership between the Department of Education and the Department of Sports, Parks and Recreation. The program is founded on research that indicates students perform better when their fathers are involved in school-related activities. At movie night, six additional Muller Elementary fathers joined the organization and families from other schools participated in the fun.
Calvert White, Assistant Commissioner of Sports, Parks & Recreation, said, “The partnership between the Sports, Parks, and Recreation and Education will continue to grow because this is more than sports and education, it’s about life.”
Jerae Forde, Director of School and Community Affairs for the St. Thomas-St. John District, said, “This event has surpassed all expectations and with the amount of family-oriented fun and dedication of more fathers recruited to F.A.R.M’s mission, this chapter will not only enhance school improvement, but the community as a whole. This event was made by fathers, run by fathers and were for fathers; they did an amazing job.”
Future events for Muller’s F.A.R.M. chapter include game night, sporting events and fundraisers. F.A.R.M. chapters are expected to roll out in all public schools throughout the St. Thomas-St. John District.
