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Dads at SFDS
When we think of school volunteers, we often think of the moms of the SFDS community. However, a growing number of dads have been stepping up to the plate to take on leadership roles at the School.
Dads are involved in chairing the Annual Fund, Staff Treats, the Fall Picnic, Concert For Community, and more. This year CultureFest is being chaired by a dad for the first time, Farzam Moustoufi. The Parents Association secretary is a dad, Rich Lew, and last year’s PA president, Danny Wong, is currently helping to revamp the school’s IT system. Dads are involved in many behind-the-scene roles at the School as well.
Danny Wong didn’t start out intending to be an active dad. It just happened as more people noticed his enthusiasm and asked if he would help out. The time spent has been greater than expected, but Danny views it as an “investment” in his children’s education. His job is more flexible than that of many parents, and he takes advantage of that flexibility.
“Plain and simple, I do it for my daughters,” said Danny. When he was young, Danny’s parents were unable to attend any of his school activities, because they couldn’t take the time off from work. Danny said he is determined to make it different for his daughters, fifth grader Jackie and kindergartner Samantha.
Alex Calhoun, who this year volunteered to be a fourth-grade roomparent, said roomparenting doesn’t take a huge commitment in time “if you can control the email information flow.” His involvement gives him a chance to spend time with his child and his child’s friends.
”It's a great way to spend time with [your child] and a bunch of goofy kids. You learn a lot driving to Año Nuevo if you just shut up and let the kids ramble. It’s like being a spy without even hiding!”
Rob Hurlbut, who heads the Annual Fund Committee with Clay Corbus and Rob Gorlin, said he likes being involved in “great causes” and his children’s school qualifies. “The time commitment is rarely as great as the task may appear,” he said.
Bradley Solomon has been secretary of the Parents Association, head of admissions tours and a second-grade roomparent. He said a flexible job allows him to be more involved at the school. “The kids are only going to be at this stage one time,” he said. “It seems pretty rewarding. It’s more enjoyable and beneficial to be involved.”
Recently he went on a trip to the symphony with the kindergarten class. “There were 10 parents -- nine moms and me.” He said he’d like to see more dads become more involved.
In this day and age, where both parents often need to work and have less time to give, it is important for the whole family to participate in the life of the School in any way they can. The time, energy and resources of our SFDS volunteers, both moms and dads, are vital to maintaining an engaged, inclusive, and vibrant School community.
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