Apex Hosts Father’s Walk Event to Build Bonds

Pinnacle Academy and Apex Academy hosted hundreds of visitors at arrival recently, as the schools celebrated the annual Father’s Walk.

Both schools invited fathers, grandfathers, uncles, brothers, and other caretakers to walk their student to school on Sept. 19 and offered a few minutes for everyone to bond before the school day. Apex said they welcomed over 145 family members and Pinnacle counted over 300 participants for their event.

The action for father’s was simple: walk your student into school and enjoy breakfast before the day begins. Apex offered a light breakfast and Pinnacle had free toaster pastries to enjoy while students and their role models spoke about the day ahead. Pinnacle’s Dean of Lower Elementary Erin Raymont said she enjoys seeing families get involved.


“The dads are always really invested and want to participate with their kids,” Raymont said. “It doesn’t take a whole lot of time or a whole lot of energy, so it’s a great way to show their kids that they support them in their education, and they are showing up.”

Apex Dean of Intervention Michele Iams said another aspect of the morning was the Father’s Walk Pledge. Father figures read this pledge to their students:

• I am responsible for the education of my child.
• I will encourage all children to do their best every day at school.
• I will speak to my child about the value of learning and the importance of reaching your potential.
• I will help with schoolwork and review assignments for completion.
• I will praise my child when he/she does well in school.
• I will speak with my child’s teachers and support them in educating my child.
• I will teach my child the value of education and the value of family.
• I will work with my child’s mother or guardian to achieve the best academic and social outcomes for my child even if I do not live with my child.

“It’s exciting to see so many of our Apex families taking the time to invest in our scholars,” Iams said, adding that the event is sponsored throughout Cuyahoga County, where Pinnacle and Apex both reside.

While the event is quick, its impact is felt for students and their family members. When fathers participate, it’s helping build the relationship with their student and contributes to the positive parent partnerships each school strives to foster.

Keep up the great work, Pinnacle and Apex!
About Apex Academy
Apex Academy is a tuition-free, public charter school in East Cleveland, Ohio, serving students in kindergarten through eighth grade. It is part of the National Heritage Academies (NHA^®) network, which includes more than 100 tuition-free, public charter schools serving more than 65,000 students in kindergarten through high school across nine states. For more information, visit nhaschools.com.

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