Rayma Silvers/Tribune Photo Eugene Ware Principal Billie Jo Drake presents, from left, Kevin Allen, Tom Robertson, Ben Cole and Jeff Michael with the Kansas Association of Elementary School Principals Friends of Education Award. [Click to enlarge]

The Fort Scott Tribune

The extraordinary efforts of local residents Jeff Michael, Tom Robertson, Ben Cole and Kevin Allen were honored in a recent presentation at Eugene Ware Elementary School.

In a special assembly conducted Tuesday, Nov. 18, at the school, Eugene Ware Principal Billie Jo Drake presented the Kansas Association of Elementary School Principals Friends of Education Award to Michael, Robertson, Cole and Allen for their exemplary service to the students who attend the local elementary school. During the presentation, Drake said that KAESP presented only six Friends of Education awards throughout the state. Four of the six awards were given to the four local fathers.

"There is no doubt they are very deserving of the award," Drake said.

A couple of years ago, the four men who had a growing concern about unsafe traffic conditions behind the school, put their heads together to come up with an easy solution which would ensure the safety of each student at the school. The men developed a way to organize the incoming and outgoing traffic which made it safer for students to exit their vehicles each morning.

The men would stand behind the school each morning to ensure the proper traffic procedures were being followed. While they stood outside the school building each morning, the men would offer greetings to the students as they arrived at school.

"We started high-fiving them and getting a smile," Allen said.

(Advertisement)

Allen said that on several occasions, there have been students who are feeling a little sad when they arrive at the school.

"We see kids get out of their cars bummed," Allen said. "All in all, it (the men's greetings) helps. By the time they enter the building, most of the time they are smiling."

Even though the four dads have created a rotating schedule so they do not have to come to the school every morning, all four admitted they don't follow the schedule. Each said most mornings even when it is not their turn, they find themselves behind the school giving high fives and smiles to the children as they arrive to school.

"It's our morning coffee," Robertson said.

Expanding on Robertson's words, Allen said, "A lot of men go to the coffee shop, we come here."

Spending his mornings greeting the elementary school children has such a special meaning for Cole that he said next year even though he will not have any children attending Eugene Ware, he plans to return to the school each morning to greet the other students each morning.

"I am just overly thrilled with it because of the positive effect it has on the kids," Cole said.

Michael said he is happy with the program because its effects influence more than just the students.

"It has a good affect on the parents as well," he said.

Teachers at Eugene Ware said the diligence of the men who greet the students each morning makes them worthy of the Friends of Education award.

Kelli Woodring, Eugene Ware kindergarten teacher, said, "They (students) are guaranteed at least one good smile, high five and even a hug before they enter the school. I can't think of a better way to start the morning, especially when mornings can be so hectic."

"Watching the Eugene Ware Dads greet the students in the mornings is always fun," Eugene Ware fifth grade teacher Brenda Hill said. "The students rush to get their high-fives as soon as they are let out of their cars. It is also fun to see the dads participate in our Fun First Fridays. They dress up just like the students and faculty. They are part of our Eugene Ware Family. They have become the bright spots of our mornings here at Eugene Ware, and they are very deserving of this award."

According to the students at the school, the four men have made a positive impact on the students.

"I like the high fives," Eugene Ware kindergarten student Victor Mutti said.

Fifth grade student Tristan Wilson said, "It's nice of them to give us a high-five to give us a good start to our day."

"I think it's nice of them to stay in the mornings in the freezing cold to keep the traffic moving," Keiara Meadow, fifth grade, said.

Kylie Lopp, fifth grade, said, "It's nice that they are there and they help us."

This year, the four men decided greeting the students each morning was not enough. They wanted to do more, so they visited with Drake about starting a new program which would involve more Eugene Ware dads. The new program, called Eugene Ware Dads, makes it possible for students to be positively affected by interactions with various fathers throughout the school day, according to Drake.

About 30 fathers and grandfathers have signed up to volunteer some of their time at the local elementary school so far this year. When the volunteers come to the school on their assigned day, Drake said they are given a schedule of classrooms to visit during the day.

"We let them spend time with their own children, and we try to get them in at least one class at each grade level," she said.

The Eugene Ware Dads program has had a positive influence on the students, according to second grade teacher Lynette Jackson.

"This has been a wonderful program for our students in our building," Jackson said. "These fathers greet students and spend time in classrooms to observe and support the teachers. Their presence in the hallways helps us monitor and encourage our students during the day. The goal of this program is to give our students examples of positive male role models and it has been very successful. The students welcome these visitors with open arms and look forward to the extra help in our classrooms. We appreciate all of their dedication to students and time from their busy schedules. We hope to see more Eugene Ware Dads sign up for this worth while program."