U.S. Virgin Islands – V.I. Attorney General Gordon C. Rhea, along with the Access and Visitation Program (AVP) within the Paternity and Child Support Division (PCSD) at the V.I. Department of Justice (DOJ), has issued a call to action for parents, guardians, fathers, male caregivers, and father figures to accompany their children on the first day of school in support of National DADS Take Your Child to School Day. Together, they aim to foster positive family involvement as the new school year begins.
Public schools in the U.S. Virgin Islands will open on Wednesday, August 13, 2025. This annual initiative is designed to highlight and strengthen father involvement in education, promoting a supportive bond between schools and fathers or father figures throughout the academic year.
The V.I. Department of Education is also actively promoting this important initiative. Although separate initiatives, they are united by a common message: encouraging families throughout the territory to support their children on the first day of school.
In the lead-up to the first day of school, the DOJ—through the AVP—partnered with the Department of Sports, Parks and Recreation to host three energetic and family-friendly Father’s Initiative Back-to-School Fun Day & School Supply Giveaway events. The celebrations kicked off on Saturday, July 19, 2025, at Emile Griffith Park in St. Thomas, continued on July 26, 2025, at the National Park Ballfield in St. John, and concluded with the third and final event on August 9, 2025, at Isaac Boynes Ballpark in St. Croix.
Fathers, father figures, and their families were encouraged to attend celebration of—and preparation for—National DADS Take Your Child to School Day, honoring the vital role they play in their children’s academic success and emotional development. The turnout was remarkable, with more than 100 fathers participating alongside their children and families. Attendees enjoyed a day filled with bonding, fun, and excitement, while children received backpacks stocked with school supplies to help them start the school year prepared and motivated.
Sharon Jackson-McDonald, Administrator of AVP, emphasized the significant impact of male role models in education. “Research indicates engaging dads, brothers, uncles, father figures, and other significant male role models in schools increases student success in numerous ways. Father figures enhance student success and support schools to create a nurturing environment for students.”
Attorney General Gordon Rhea expressed his strong support for the effort. “We know that when fathers and father figures are engaged in a child’s education from day one, it has a lasting, positive impact. This program is an excellent way to strengthen family bonds and set the tone for a successful school year.
PCSD Director Kathryn B. Jensen-DeLugo added: “This is a great opportunity for fathers to introduce themselves to their children’s teachers and establish a rapport with them. It demonstrates their interest and commitment to their children and their education.” She explained that AVP is funded by a separate grant awarded to child support agencies by the Office of Child Support Services (OCSS). The mission is to establish and administer programs that support and facilitate noncustodial parent’s access to, and visitation of their children as mandated by Congress. To achieve this, states are allowed to fund a range of services including mediation, development of parenting plans, education, counseling, visitation enforcement (including supervised visitation and neutral drop-off), and the development of alternative custody and visitation guidelines.
For more information, contact the Access and Visitation Program at the DOJ Paternity and Child Support Division on St. Thomas at 340-775-3070 or on St. Croix at 340-778-5958. You may also email viaccess@vi.gov.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 12, 2025
Sandra Goomansingh
Media Relations Director
(340)774-5666 ext. 10105
Email: sandra.goomansingh@doj.vi.gov