The early September sun cut across the lawn outside an Albany elementary school as students and their fathers marched to the stone building as part of a nationwide effort to get men more involved in their children's education.

Girls and boys, holding fast to their dads' hands, were given bookbags, supplies and NYSUT brochures about testing, parent-teacher conferences, parents as reading partners, and the union's 24/7 Let's Go! family and school health program.

The Million Father March, managed by Black Star Project, U.S.A., with the National PTA and National Fatherhood initiative, is now in its fifth year.

It came to Arbor Hill Elementary School with the help of Stephon Frost, a home-school coordinator and member of the Albany Public School United Educators. He's the man who visits students' homes to discuss problems, absences and illness.

Fathers are integral to a child's success, said Frost, as he handed youngsters bookbags provided by NYSUT as part of its education partnership with Staples.

"We congratulate Albany's teachers and educators for encouraging fathers to show interest and become more involved in their children's education," said Alan Lubin, NYSUT executive vice president. "This effort helps strengthen the bond among parents, students and our members in the community and further demonstrates that NYSUT members and our friends at Staples care."

When Frost heard about the nationwide Black Star Project, he wanted to add Albany to the project's goal of 300 cities. He organized the local march with the state's Office of Children and Family Services and the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance.

Union support

"The union was here to support us, too," he said of the Albany Public School Teachers Association. TA President Cathy Corbo said the union donated school supplies and books.

"We do have a lot of fathers involved in their children's lives," Frost said. "But they may not know the importance it has on education." He points to NYSUT brochures that spell out how and why parents can get involved, and how it makes a difference.

He tells a story: "One of my dads, all of his kids came through Arbor Hill. He's a very involved and very busy parent. His youngest boy is very bright, and he's had problems.

He's a little tough guy. If I call (the dad), he's right here. That makes a big difference. He's a single dad. Without that support from him, it's difficult to keep that control over children here at school."

"Kids know," Frost says. "They know — 'Oh, my dad works. He won't show up.' And when they do, it's a real strong statement. We have a misconception: The men in our community do not care enough to get involved."

Says James Hector, father to Lyanna, who is wearing a crisp blue jumper: "I bring her to school every morning."

John Harris, an APSUE member and Albany High School home-school coordinator who helped bring the march to Albany, says there is a greater need than ever for male influence.

"We see the need to have fathers more involved in our children's lives," he said, "to show teachers, principals that men do care."

Nationally, a high ratio of male children, especially in the African-American community, are not graduating from high school, said Harris, who is also president of the local chapter of Black Child Development Institute.

Harris develops mentoring programs for students and motivates them to take Advanced Placement courses.

Next year, Harris says, they plan to host the march throughout the Capital District.

A state Fatherhood Conference (www.otda.state.ny.us) is coming to Albany Oct. 6-9.

— Liza Frenette