Parental Rights to End at the School Door?

In a recent article of the Fairfax (VA) Times [1], a school board candidate wrote,

“some members of the School Board argued the school’s duty in loco parentis – to stand in the parent’s place – essentially means that parents’ rights over their children end at the school door. No parent in Fairfax County would agree.”

You probably wouldn’t agree, either. Unfortunately, the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals already has. In its 2005 case Fields v. Palmdale [2], the court held that the parents’ fundamental right 

“does not exist beyond the threshold of the school door.”

In Palmdale, the issue was a graphic sex-ed curriculum. In Fairfax, it was interrogating students without notifying parents. But whatever the issue,

“once parents make the choice as to which school their children will attend, their fundamental right to control the education of their children is, at the least, substantially diminished. (Fields v. Palmdale)

This should not be the case. Please act now to reverse this assault by big government courts against parental rights.

Then, pass this on! Every parent of a public school student needs to know the extent to which the courts have robbed them of their rights. Add the message to your Facebook page, or use the button to add it to any social network.

Every child has the right to be raised and represented by parents who love them, and not by disconnected government bureaucrats. Help us to preserve that right today!

“Dads Take Your Child to School Day” is super important!

“Dads Take Your Child to School Day” is important because it highlights—and helps normalize—the active, everyday involvement of fathers in their children’s lives. Its value goes far beyond a symbolic gesture.

1. Strengthens the Father–Child Bond

When dads participate in routine activities like the school drop-off, children experience:

• A sense of security and belonging

• Greater emotional connection with their father

• Reinforcement that their dad is a reliable, present caregiver—not just a “weekend” or secondary parent

For many children, especially those in separated or divorced families, these small, consistent moments matter deeply.

2. Counters Harmful Stereotypes

The day challenges long-standing assumptions that:

• Mothers are the primary caregivers

• Fathers are optional or secondary parents

Public visibility of dads at school helps shift cultural and institutional thinking toward parental equality, which is especially important in education systems and family courts.

3. Supports Children’s Academic and Social Outcomes

Research consistently shows that positive father involvement is linked to:

• Better school performance

• Improved behavior

• Higher self-esteem

• Lower rates of absenteeism and discipline problems

Seeing their father involved in school sends children a powerful message: “My education matters, and I matter.”

4. Promotes Father Engagement in Schools

When fathers feel welcome at schools, they are more likely to:

• Attend parent-teacher meetings

• Volunteer

• Communicate with teachers

• Stay engaged long-term

This improves school–family partnerships and benefits all children—not just those of participating dads.

5. Reinforces a Child’s Right to Both Parents

In the context of family law and custody concerns, this day carries special importance:

• It affirms that fathers are essential, not optional

• It helps protect and normalize father-child relationships

• It reminds institutions that children benefit from meaningful involvement of both parents

For fathers who feel marginalized by divorce or custody arrangements, this day is a public acknowledgment of their role and value.

6. Positive Male Role Modeling

Children—especially boys—benefit from seeing men:

• Show up

• Be nurturing

• Participate in education

• Take responsibility

Girls also benefit by learning what healthy, engaged fatherhood looks like.

7. Sends a Cultural and Policy Message

At a broader level, “Dads Take Your Child to School Day”:

• Signals that fatherhood matters

• Supports movements toward shared parenting

• Challenges systems that minimize paternal involvement

It quietly but effectively pushes back against practices that sideline dads in education and family systems.

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In Short

“Dads Take Your Child to School Day” matters because it:

• Strengthens families

• Benefits children

• Normalizes involved fatherhood

• Challenges bias

• Supports a child’s right to both parents

Sometimes cultural change begins with something as simple—and powerful—as walking your child to school and being seen doing it.

Florida Department of Education

The plan is for schools to provide refreshments for dads as well as a place where they can grab some information about...
Posted by Children's Rights on Tuesday, August 25, 2015

Kids do better academically with involved fathers, so state to host a Dads Take Your Child to School Day

In 2009, the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), and the annual “Dads Take Your Child to School Day” became the exclusive event that welcomed all ethnicities. A new logo was instituted from a drawing on a napkin by Kenneth Braswell, from the NYS OTDA. A website was created which allowed state-wide registration and guidance for anyone interested. It was also decided that the first day of school is a hectic time for principles and school staff and it may be difficult to coordinate the event. The date was moved back a couple of weeks to allow better planning and cohesion with the number of participating partners. A number of city agencies also joined including the Administration for Children Services (ACS), Department for Youth and Community Development (DYCD), and the Office of Child Support Enforcement (NYC OCSE).

#StandUpForZoraya #ILoveAndNeedMyDaughter #EndParentalAlienation