Y2K Academy Hosts "Fathers As First Teachers on the First Day of School" Labor Day Rally & Picnic

Sept. 2, 2010 - PRLog -- (Suffolk, Virginia) – On Labor Day, during a region-wide back-to-school gathering, Suffolk-based Y2K Academy, asks Hampton Roads Dads to take their children to school on the first day of school, as a means to increase graduation rates and student performance in local schools. The “Fathers As First Teachers on the First Day of School” event kicks off on Labor Day, Monday, September 6th at 10 a.m. with a rally at Westminster Reformed Presbyterian Church, 3488 Godwin Boulevard, Suffolk and will be immediately followed at Noon, by a family festival and picnic at Lake Meade Park (Kid Zone) located directly behind Farm Fresh Supermarket, 1401 N. Main St., Suffolk, VA 23434.

Fathers, mothers, children and the community are all invited to participate in the event. The event is free, but registration is required. Attending individuals, groups and specifically families wishing to receive back to school supplies for their children must register online at http://y2kacademy.webs.com/eventregistration.htm

The drop-out prevention initiative is a component of its Y2K Dadz Responsible Fatherhood Initiative and partially funded by a US Department of Health & Human Services Office of Family Assistance National Responsible Fatherhood Capacity-Building Initiative federal grant the group received in January.

“We developed this initiative out of our growing concern over the region’s AYP failures and increasing school drop-out rates,” stated Dr. Princella Johnson, Y2K Academy Founder. “Department of Education research clearly shows that father involvement in the educational process increases students’ academic performance,” she said. “Students who drop out of the school system are at-risk for drug use, teen pregnancy and criminal activity,” states Y2K Dadz Director Maurice Johnson. “This initiative is designed to decrease “idle minds and hands” from gang involvement and any type of negative behavior. We believe our efforts will eventually lead to increased public safety, poverty reduction and create more tax-paying, productive citizens,” he said.

The event features father-child karaoke, relay races, mini golf course, bounce machine, Kool Smiles®, the Chic-Fil-A® cow, prizes, food, choirs, church groups, and entertainment. Suffolk Police and Fire Departments will support the event with child fingerprinting services, a fire engine and EMT team. Randstad Staffing will also be on hand for an employability workshop and to accept applications from unemployed Dads and Moms. Pop-up tents, blankets, strollers and lawn chairs welcomed. Suffolk City Council members have been invited to share remarks. Stringent safety measures will be in place to prevent children from being separated from their parents. Groups requiring transportation must call (757) 925-4545 x1003 NLT Saturday, September 4th, 5pm. Donations are accepted.

Rally & Picnic Speakers include:
Dr. Princella Johnson, Founder, Y2K Academy
Mr. Maurice Johnson, Director, Y2K Dadz
Dr. Michelle Belle, Superintendent, Franklin Public Schools
Mr. Kenneth Knapper, Author & CEO, Alliance for Business, LLC
Dr. Claudia Williams, Whitestone Prayer Ministries         
Mr. Wilfred Dillard, PREVENT Ministries, Inc.               
Pastor Sylvester Silver, Gates of Heaven COGIC            
Pastor Gerald Goodman, New Gospel Temple COGIC      
Ms. Seneca Bock, Obesity Project Coordinator, VA Interfaith Center for Public Policy
Ms. Jeanette Lewis, mother of slain Lakeland High School football player, TyQuan Lewis
Mr. Glen Ferebee, Coach, Lakeland High School Cavaliers         
Mrs. Regina Ferebee, Sr. Employment Specialist, Randstad Staffing   

US Department of Health & Human Services Office of Family Assistance National Responsible Fatherhood Capacity-Building Initiative Federal Grant administered by the National Fatherhood Initiative, Germantown, MD

Sponsors for the event include:
Y2K Academy, Suffolk
The Master’s House Church, Suffolk
In God We Trust Ministries, Suffolk
Fullness of God’s Ministries, Virginia Beach
Triple T Sports, Suffolk
Chic-Fil-A® Restaurant, Suffolk
Mike Duman Auto Sales, Inc., Suffolk
Community Capacity Builders, Inc., Suffolk
Kool Smiles®, Portsmouth
VA Department of Health Tidewater Child Development Center, Norfolk
Alliance for Business, LLC, Newport News
Prevent Ministries, Newport News
Stephanie’s Fashion Boutique, Suffolk
Vann Gerr Driving Improvement School, Courtland
Suffolk Christian Fellowship Church, Suffolk

Supporting Agencies Include:
Westminster Reformed Presbyterian Church
Tabernacle Christian Church
WATCH D.O.G.S.®
US Navy Regional Community Service Coordinator’s Office
Utopia Enterprises
Suffolk Public Schools
Suffolk Parks & Recreation
Franklin Public Schools
Franklin Parks & Recreation
Newport News Public Schools
WVEC TV Channel 13
Suffolk News-Herald Newspapers
New Journal & Guide Newspapers

To register online, visit http://y2kacademy.webs.com/registrationform.htm

To volunteer, sponsor this event or donate backpacks or school supplies, or for more information or interviews, please contact, Dr. Princella Johnson, (757) 925-4545 Ext. 1003.

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Y2K Academy is a Christ-centered youth and parental mentoring agency with the distinction of developing Virginia’s first-ever online mentoring program. Contact Dr. Princella Johnson, 757-925-4545 Ext.1003. Visit us: http://y2kacademy.webs.com