The
Mountain View School District (MVSD) recently held an educational workshop for
fathers and male figures of students in the District. The soccer themed workshop titled “Score a
Goal on Education” drew a large crowd of fathers eager to learn about the
important role they have in their child's academic career.
Kicking off the workshop was Roberto
Lopez, MVSD’s Director of Student Support Services and Special Education who
shared his personal story with the audience and why a father’s influence is
vital to children.
“I grew up in a large family and my
father worked two jobs to support us,” said Lopez. “He worked extremely hard to ensure that all
of my siblings and I could go to college. My father didn’t have a college education but he taught us about how to
be responsible and the importance of having a strong work ethic. He modeled that for us each day and you can
be that example for your children too. Through your guidance and support they can achieve their goals and get
to college.”
Taking the field next was Oscar
Marquez, the Board Treasurer of the
El Monte Promise Foundation who encouraged the fathers to teach their kids
about saving for college and preparing for the future.
The
workshop included three sessions providing those in attendance the opportunity
to learn about setting family goals, the District’s Positive Behavior
Interventions and Supports (PBIS) program and how to implement a similar system
in the home, and participate in a mini soccer clinic.
Gil Zepeda, an MVSD parent led the goal
setting session and shared strategies for setting personal goals and goals for
families.
“The moment we set a goal we have
something to go after,” said Zepeda. “It’s important to set goals for our children and support them to reach
those goals. I did that with my son and
now he’s in the habit of setting his own goals and striving for them. Three years ago I went through a very
challenging time financially but I worked hard and kept going after my goals
and dreams and everything worked out. Dreams are possible and dreams for our
children are definitely possible,” he said.
Participants were given a Goal Setting
worksheet to take home and fill out that included listing a personal goal and
family goal, as well as the things that might limit them from achieving their
goals. They also had to fill in what
actions they need to take to accomplish their goals.
“Take the sheet of paper home and sit
down with your kids and each of you write out your goals,” said Zepeda. “Once you’ve done that exchange the paper so
you know each other’s goals and put them in a visible place like on your
refrigerator so you see them every day and can work hard toward achieving them
together.”
The PBIS session equipped participants
with strategies for setting positive behavioral expectations for children and
the importance of modeling positive behaviors.
“You can implement a system in your home
similar to the PBIS system we use in our schools,” said George Schonborn,
MVSD’s Director of Pupil Personnel Services. “It’s important to teach positive behavior expectations to your children
and also to model, practice and reinforce them. Behavior change is a family affair and everyone should strive to be
respectful, responsible and safe,” he added.
The final session brought the kids and
their dads together for a mini soccer clinic led by Voorhis School teacher, Al
Donoso. The group learned a few
dribbling, kicking and stretching moves to improve their game. Everyone had fun working up a sweat as they
completed the drills. Donoso encouraged
the dads to play sports and have fun with their kids, while also encouraging
sports for potential college scholarships.
Following the soccer theme, each family in
attendance received a free soccer ball and goodie bag, and the first 40 to sign
up and attend the entire workshop received a family 4-pack of tickets to the
Rancho Cucamonga Quakes baseball game on May 1st.
“Thank you to all the dads and
important male figures who came out for our workshop tonight,” said Christian
Diaz, MVSD Board of Education member. “It’s wonderful to see so many of you here and it shows your commitment
to your children and their education.
My father had great influence on my career and I encourage you all to
stay involved and engaged in your child’s education.”
Concluding the event, Angelica Sifuentes
Donoso, MVSD’s Director of Family Engagement expressed her appreciation to
those who attended and commended them for their commitment to their children.
“It is imperative to guide our children to
have goals and be there to support them,” said Sifuentes-Donoso. “In Mountain View we are happy to provide
opportunities to empower our families to learn strategies to reach those
goals. Seeing all of our dads, guardians
and children enjoying their time together is wonderful.”