West Chicago program encourages dads to read to their kids

Each night, 4-year-old Damian Aviles goes to bed with a book because he knows what's going to happen next: Dad is going to read to him.

Damian and his father, Andres Aviles, have been bonding over books ever since their family participated in Fathers Reading Every Day, a new program offered through West Chicago Elementary District 33.

The district teamed with West Chicago Public Library to enroll preschool students and their dads in the four-week program that encourages language development and reading skills. Participating fathers read to their child at least 15 minutes a day for the first two weeks, and at least 30 minutes a day for the last two weeks.

Last week, the DuPage County Board honored the Aviles family and 10 others that completed the program.

"This Sunday we celebrate Father's Day," county board Chairman Dan Cronin said. "This seemed a perfect opportunity to shine a bright light on a very innovative community schools program."

District 33 Superintendent Charles Johns said it was great to see the dads receive recognition.

"These fathers are functioning as role models to other dads who might just need a little bit of a reminder to say, 'I can give up 15 minutes a night to read with my child,'" Johns said.

District 33 officials say the program, developed by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, strengthens the quality of time fathers spend with their children and improves the level of parent involvement in their child's education. It also can help improve children's success in school.

Tony Abasolo said he learned from his wife that West Chicago was going to offer the program.

He said he immediately thought it would be a wonderful way to introduce his 3-year-old son, Sven Axel Abasolo Holm, to reading.

"It was a great idea just to get into the habit of reading to him," Abasolo said.

At the end of the four-week program, many fathers reported improvements in their children's vocabulary, officials said. It also helped improve their relationships.

"We have dads who are still reading to their kids," Johns said. "It wasn't a one and done for them. They feel it provides more quality family time."

Abasolo said his son reminds him when it's time for them to read together.

Fathers Reading Every Day is part of a wider effort in District 33 to foster connections between home and school.

West Chicago Mayor Ruben Pineda said it makes a difference for children when their parents take an active role in their education.

"I'm living proof that it works because my mom made sure we could read and write in both Spanish and English before we started kindergarten," Pineda said.

Johns said District 33 plans to continue the program during the 2016-2017 school year.