By Azana Carr

Correspondent

To help promote fathers becoming an influence on their children’s education, Y2K Academy has planned its fifth annual Fathers as First Teachers on the First Day of School Gospel Family Fest.

The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 16 at Y2K Academy, 3537 Pruden Blvd., Suite A.

Organizers hope the event will encourage dads to take their children to school on the first day to help improve student performance and increase graduation rates.

Fathers, mothers and children are welcome at the free celebration, according to Princella F. Johnson, the principal and founder of the Y2K Academy.

Activities will include music performances, games, informational presentations, food and puppet shows. School supplies will also be given, but only to those families who registered and have a ticket. Applications can be completed at www.FAFT2014.EventBrite.com.

This is an outside event, and attendees are asked to bring their own lawn chairs.

The tradition was started five years ago by Johnson, who sometimes calls the event “LaRue’s Back-To-School Drive for Kids” in memory of her brother Clint LaRue Jackson, who died in 2010.

“I’ve been a mentor for many years, and he was always one of my biggest supporters,” she said.

Getting dads involved in their children’s learning experience gives kids a foundation to be successful in their education, Johnson said, noting that the event is also a way to help her church reach out to the community.

“I love kids,” she said. ” I love seeing them discover who they will be.”

Anyone willing to volunteer or donate backpacks and school supplies can call Karen Prater at 912-7014. Donations will also be accepted online at www.Y2KAcademy.Webs.com, at the Y2K Academy from 4 to 6 p.m., and Wet ‘n’ Wild Pools from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

For more information, contact Johnson at 925-4545.