Strong Dads

The Abby Movie

Mikehall@strongfathers.com (JMichaelHall) — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 02:53:55 GMT

An Abby-Dabby Movie

Celebrating the Educational Opportunities for Hispanic Students-San Jose, California

Mikehall@strongfathers.com (JMichaelHall) — Mon, 19 May 2008 23:00:09 GMT

Thanks to all that attended our session at the San Jose conference.

Please Contact Us if we can help in any way.

The following are the resources that we talked about in our session.

Resources about the value of involving fathers:

Strong Father Programs and Partners
Strong Father Facts
Promoting Father Events

Getting Dads Through the Door Handouts for training

Strengthening Father Involvement Slides

We took a sample of 1000 evaluations out of the 6000+ that we gathered last year, here is the basic data:

1000 Fathers Said………………

Handouts for Fathers (given out in our programs)

These handouts are in black and white to save districts money and to allow them to copy them for program participants and all other parents in other programs or meetings.

Handout in English

Handout in Spanish

Evaluation (English and Spanish)

Strong Father Pledge Sheet (filled out by dads after classroom visits)

Dad’s Playbook (This book is free from the National Institute on Family Literacy, we have handed out several thousands)

Good News about Strong Fathers-Strong Families:
Newspaper Story
Television News Story
Additional News Story

READ THIS BOOK! ( Chapter 21 of Why Fathers Count ) www.whyfatherscount.com

Our website about our partners in Africa www.hallsforhope.info, www.thevillageofhope.com

National Head Start Association Annual Conference-Father Involvement Track

Mikehall@strongfathers.com (JMichaelHall) — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 11:06:20 GMT

Thanks to all of the great folks that toughed it out and trained with us in Nashville for almost two days!

I had a great time and all of you were very gracious and a fun bunch to be with. I look forward to seeing you in future conferences and make sure you send some folks our way at the Atlanta conference this December.

Here are some resources from our discussions. If you have any questions you can always contact me. My information is on the cover of your manual or you can CONTACT ME through the website.

Instructions for the name toss game
Father Involvement Handout
Head Start Father Involvement Model

Here are some of the flip charts from our Sunday session

Other Strong Father Articles

Working with Fathers
Fathers Reading Program
Why Fathers Count, Chapter 21

Let me know if I can help in any way!

Colorado Head Start Conference, Broomfield, CO

Mikehall@strongfathers.com (JMichaelHall) — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 13:40:42 GMT

Thanks to so many of you that attended our sessions this past weekend at the Colorado Head Start Conference.

The following is some of the information that was discussed in both sessions:

Here are the resources and materials that we discussed in the workshop:

Name Toss Instructions-Steal This Game!

If you want to know more about Strong Fathers-Strong Families you can check out the following links:

Our website www.strongfathers.com

Our Conference website www.strongdads.com

Our website about our partners in Africa www.hallsforhope.info, www.thevillageofhope.com

Handouts and Documents:

Fathers Handout Pages-English
Fathers Handout Pages-Spanish
Promoting Father Events
Strong Father Facts-English and Spanish
Sample Flier
Sample HS flier
Pledge Sheet-English and Spanish
Dad's Playbook - NIFL Website
Evaluation Data
National Head Start Fatherhood Pre-Conference
Contextual Program Model

Resources about the value of involving fathers:

Strong Father Programs
The Meaning of Father Involvement
What Fathers Contribute
Fathers Role in Literacy

Good News about Strong Fathers-Strong Families:
Newspaper Story
Television News Story
Additional News Story

Published Works:
Texas PTA Article

THE book-Why Fathers Count - Chapter 21

SEDL Reading Article

For all of our programs we provide the promotional materials and stickers as well as all of the forms and handouts. We will also post pictures from your event on our website in the Strong Pictures section.

You can CLICK HERE for an event request form and you will need to return this form with your choice of dates. If we can match you with other schools in your area, we will try to do so to save your travel costs and us travel time!

Region III Fatherhood Conference-Philadelphia

Mikehall@strongfathers.com (JMichaelHall) — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 01:31:04 GMT

Thanks to all of you who attended our recent session at the Region III Fatherhood/Healthy Marriage Conference in Philadelphia.

Here are the resources and materials that we discussed in the workshop:

Handouts and Documents:

Fathers Handout Pages-English
Fathers Handout Pages-Spanish
Promoting Father Events
Strong Father Facts-English and Spanish
Sample Flier
Sample HS flier
Pledge Sheet-English and Spanish
Dad's Playbook - NIFL Website
Evaluation Data
National Head Start Fatherhood Pre-Conference
Contextual Program Model

"Getting Dads Through the Door" Flip Charts

What do you want to know? Game Observations

Question 1                                   Question 2                             Question 3                             Question 4


"Next Steps for Fatherhood Programs" Flip Charts

Name Toss Instructions-Steal This Game!

If you want to know more about Strong Fathers-Strong Families you can check out the following links:

Our website www.strongfathers.com

Our Conference website www.strongdads.com

Our website about our partners in Africa www.hallsforhope.info, www.thevillageofhope.com

Resources about the value of involving fathers:

Strong Father Programs
The Meaning of Father Involvement
What Fathers Contribute
Fathers Role in Literacy

Good News about Strong Fathers-Strong Families:
Newspaper Story
Television News Story
Additional News Story

Published Works:

Texas PTA Article

THE book-Why Fathers Count - Chapter 21

SEDL Reading Article

I look forward to hearing from you.

A BUNCH of Dads and Kids at Lovejoy Elementary

Mikehall@strongfathers.com (JMichaelHall) — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 14:33:02 GMT

We had a capacity-plus crowd at Lovejoy Elementary on Tuesday Night.

We will have more pictures posted at www.strongfathers.com later this week but we thought we would share a few images with you in the video below.

Let us know what you think.

Lovejoy Elementary Math Night

http://strongdads.com/2008/01/30/a-bunch-of-dads-and-kids-at-lovejoy-elementary.aspx

TAPE Conference-January 27th-Getting Dads Through the Door

Mikehall@strongfathers.com (JMichaelHall) — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 17:17:30 GMT

Thanks to all that attended our session at the Texas Association of Partners in Education conference.

Please Contact Us if we can help in any way.

The following are the resources that we talked about in our session.

Resources about the value of involving fathers:

Strong Father Programs and Partners
Strong Father Facts
Promoting Father Events

Getting Dads Through the Door Handouts for training

Strengthening Father Involvement Slides

We took a sample of 1000 evaluations out of the 6000+ that we gathered last year, here is the basic data:

1000 Fathers Said………………

Handouts for Fathers (given out in our programs)

These handouts are in black and white to save districts money and to allow them to copy them for program participants and all other parents in other programs or meetings.

Handout in English

Handout in Spanish

Evaluation (English and Spanish)

Strong Father Pledge Sheet (filled out by dads after classroom visits)

Dad’s Playbook (This book is free from the National Institute on Family Literacy, we have handed out several thousands)

Good News about Strong Fathers-Strong Families:
Newspaper Story
Television News Story
Additional News Story

READ THIS BOOK! ( Chapter 21 of Why Fathers Count ) www.whyfatherscount.com

Our website about our partners in Africa www.hallsforhope.info, www.thevillageofhope.com

Dads Belong in Early Childhood Programs

Mikehall@strongfathers.com (JMichaelHall) — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 22:55:35 GMT

If you did not think dads could hang in early childhood environments, then you need to check out the following videos:

TooTeeTah 1
http://strongdads.com/2008/01/25/dads-belong-in-early-childhood-programs.aspx

TooTeeTah 2

Dads and Kids working together in math.

Mikehall@strongfathers.com (JMichaelHall) — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 12:25:09 GMT

We have had these videos posted on our website before but so many people have asked about them, I thought we would use the new video capability of our blogsite to put them out there again.

Enjoy. If you have any questions, you can CONTACT US

HERE are the Math Games that Tristan and his dad are playing.

Tristan likes to win at math games

http://strongdads.com/2008/01/11/dads-and-kids-working-together-in-math.aspx

If Tristan doesn't win, he can still talk smack to his dad.

NCLB Fatherhood and Family Involvement Pre-Conference-McAllen, TX

Mikehall@strongfathers.com (JMichaelHall) — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 04:03:23 GMT

Thanks to all of you who attended our recent session at the NCLB Pre-Conference.

Here are the resources and materials that we discussed in the workshop:

Handouts and Documents:

Pre-Conference Handout
Fathers Handout Pages-English
Fathers Handout Pages-Spanish
Promoting Father Events
Strong Father Facts-English and Spanish
Sample Flier
Pledge Sheet-English and Spanish
Dad's Playbook - NIFL Website
Evaluation Data

Name Toss Instructions-Steal This Game!

If you want to know more about Strong Fathers-Strong Families you can check out the following links:

Our website www.strongfathers.com

Our Conference website www.strongdads.com

Our website about our partners in Africa www.hallsforhope.info, www.thevillageofhope.com

Resources about the value of involving fathers:

Strong Father Programs
The Meaning of Father Involvement
What Fathers Contribute
Fathers Role in Literacy

Good News about Strong Fathers-Strong Families:
Newspaper Story
Television News Story
Additional News Story

Published Works:

Texas PTA Article

THE book-Why Fathers Count - Chapter 21

SEDL Reading Article

I look forward to hearing from you.

Texas PTA Summer Leadership Seminar-Finding the Strengths in Struggling Families

Mikehall@strongfathers.com (JMichaelHall) — Sun, 22 Jul 2007 23:11:00 GMT

Thanks to all of you that attended our session at TXPTA in Austin. I hope you are not having any bad dreams about flying farm animals but I do hope that you are dreaming of including more families on your campus and in your programs. The following are the resources that we talked about in this session:

Finding the Strengths of Struggling Families
Steal This Game
Million Dollar Murray
Parent Involvement for All Parents
Making Parent Involvement Work for Involved Parents
Building Meaningful Relationships with all Stakeholders
Sample Flier

Links to Resources:
Ruby Payne's Website
Why Fathers Count
No Child Left Behind

Texas PTA Summer Leadership Seminar-Hands On Math and Science events for Parent Involvement

Mikehall@strongfathers.com (JMichaelHall) — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 10:39:05 GMT

Thanks to so many of you who attended our workshop session at the Texas PTA Summer Leadership Seminar. Here are some of the many resources that we talked about. I hope that you are still having fun with your film canister rockets! I would love to hear any funny stories about what happened when you used the rockets at home. You can leave the comments below.

Handouts:

Strong Father Program Descriptions
Strong Father Math Cards
Promoting Strong Father Events
Organizational Strength Assessment

Sample Flier for Father-Child Event

Strong Fathers Involved in Education

WEB Resources:
Math Can Take You Places-PBS Website

Media Resources:

TV News Story 1
TV News Story 2

Newspaper Story 1
Newspaper Story 2

PTA Article

New England Fatherhood Conference-Day 1

Mikehall@strongfathers.com (JMichaelHall) — Wed, 21 Mar 2007 22:54:20 GMT

Day 1 Session-Why Fathers Count in the Education of Their Children

Here are some of the resources that I spoke about in our conference session today.

Strong Father Facts

Department of Education Report on Father Involvement

The Meaning of Father Involvement (Child Trends Report)

Tips for Promoting Father Events

Fathers Role in Literacy

Dad's Playbook -Coaching Kids to Read

Self-Regulation and School Readiness

Sample Reading Day Flyer

Steal This Game!

Newspaper Story

News Story 1 (Video)
News Story 2 (Video)

If You need anything else you can Contact Us. We will be glad to help in any way that we can.

Thanks to all of you who attended this session. Please DO NOT hesitate to call me if I can help in any way.

CONTACT US at our website.

My Kids' Other Father

Mikehall@strongfathers.com (JMichaelHall) — Thu, 18 Jan 2007 10:00:07 GMT

I have only been married one time and I am still married to the same great woman. Our kids look too much like me to not be mine and they act WAY too much like me to not be mine. However, my sons have another father. Actually, they have several fathers in their life. This particular father is not a step-father but is actually a man who also fathers my children. Particularly while they are in Ghana, but his influence has been carried all the way over the ocean.

Our good friend, Emmanuel Effah, is a house parent at the Village of Hope in Ghana, West Africa. He has several of his own children. His daughters are absolutely beautiful because he married so well and one is actually a model and has been featured on TV in Ghana. He and his wife Victoria have also adopted a young girl who was left for dead in the African bush. Christy has severe birth defects and they have taken her as their own and she is thriving within her sets of abilities and disabilities. They also have twenty other children in their home at the Chisholm House in the Village of Hope.

Effah is a great example to all of the children and shows great patience and wisdom with every child that he encounters. Having twenty children does not make that an easy job but he is always smiling and working with every kid he contacts. He has given me some great advice as well. On one of our visits he was teaching a Bible Class about baptism and how baptism is a burial like Christ was buried. He then asked me and the group from the states if it was true that we cremated people. We had to tell him it was in fact true that many people in the US are cremated. He told me to tell everyone in the US to stop because then we cannot tell the story of baptism if everyone is burned instead of buried. Good point but I haven't gotten everyone convinced of it yet.

He also told me that I should wash my clothes "Ghana style" since a washing machine does not know which parts of my shirts were dirty but if I wash them by hand then I would know where to apply the soap and the elbow grease. I am still working on that one but I think about it every time I put a shirt in the dirty clothes basket or in the washing machine. My wife's advice is more constant but I don't think about it as often as I do Effah's.

With my own children he has taken on their upbringing. Emmanuel and I know that even though we live far apart, we have an impact on each others children. I wish more of us who live closer together understood that. I know that if I was to falter here or if I was to let mey family fall apart, news would get to Ghana and it would be discouraging. the same would be true if Emmanuel was to drop the ball in Ghana. My oldest son Jake was blessed to have spent time with his Ghana father on his first trip to Ghana a couple of years ago. Then, before Jake left for home, he received a blessing of Biblical proportions from Emmanuel. It made an impact on him and Jake no more wants to disappoint his Ghana father than he does his actual father. On this last trip, Emmanuel made a shirt for both the boys. (He is an excellent tailor and I ONLY wear African shirts made by him.) He also gave them a blessing the night before we left. He told the boys to listen to their parents. He told them to be respectful and study hard. He also told them that he has seen news reports from the US about children getting guns and killing their parents. He told the boys to not get guns and kill their parents. (I was very glad that SOMEONE finally told them) and they took his advice very seriously. They think of him often as they recall the great things that he shared with them as friend, mentor, and Bible teacher. They also think of him every time they look in the closet and see one of his shirts.

I think of him every time I see one of the shirts he made for me and I actually think of him and a few others when I put on a Strong Father t-shirt. I am proud to be in the same company with such a great man and a strong father to so many children, including my own.