These Dads Formed a ‘Dad Squad’ to Show Up, Support and Spread Joy at Their Kids’ High School

“Look,” Percy Scott said to his wife, Joni, pointing to a table at the open house for the high school where his son, Zavier, would be attending in Flossmoor, Illinois. Volunteers were recruiting members for the school’s parents’ association. “How many dads are members?” Percy asked.

“Just me,” said Hubert Stalling. “If you sign up, there will be two of us.”

“That’s not right,” Percy said. “These kids need more male influences in their lives.”

Hubert agreed that many kids needed father figures, and the duo soon discovered the school’s new principal, Dr. Clinton Alexander, was also on their side. It was his first year at the high school, and he’d already noticed students’ mothers were doing more than their share. “We need to get more dads involved,” Principal Alexander said at the next parents’ association meeting, and told the parents about a program he’d heard about in another state called Dads on Patrol. 

“The students’ fathers come to school to help with discipline,” he explained. “We don’t need that, but what we do need are dads on campus showing the kids they care about our school and our students.”

“We can call it The Dad Squad,” one mom suggested, and Percy and Hubert ­happily signed up to spearhead the effort. 

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Spreading smiles to students

The school sent emails to all the parents, then 50 fathers and a few grandfathers signed up immediately and gathered on Zoom calls to plan and organize. 

“We want the kids to know they have a community that values and supports them,” Hubert said, explaining the mission.

In March of 2022, the men divided into two shifts, one for the morning and one for the afternoon. While the kids were in class, the dads toured the school’s two campuses. 

Percy was amazed to learn the school had nearly 3,000 students and two buildings offering college-­level courses in aeronautics, radio and TV, and an auto shop to train non–college–bound students.

The facilities are so vast, students need 11 minutes to switch classes. And on Dad Squad Day, as they checked their lockers and hurried down hallways, they encountered groups of smiling dads, fist-bumping students, telling “dad jokes” and passing out candy.

Dad Squad Day was a rousing success for the dads and students alike. At first, Zavier was embarrassed his dad was there meeting all his friends. But they told him, “I really like your dad,” and that evening, he told Percy, “I’m glad you came, Dad!” 

As for Hubert’s daughter, Mary-Kathleen, she would have been shocked if her dad wasn’t there since he’s always been deeply involved in all of her schools ever since ­kindergarten. And now, he was helping even more kids feel special. 

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The lasting impact of dads showing up for kids

The men decided Dad Squad Day should be more than a one-time thing for the students. So that summer, they arranged a big barbecue and basketball game—dads vs. students. 

Last year, they held another summer barbecue and two other events throughout the year, where they love on students during the school day. 

During the most recent Dad Squad Day, the dads were congregating in the hallway when they saw a student in tears. The dads stopped what they were doing and spent time giving hugs and encouragement to ensure that he felt seen and understood.

“If you need anything, we got you,” the men told the boy as he went on to class with a smile on his face.

“That is what it’s all about,” the squad agreed, realizing how much of an impact they made simply by showing up. 

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In October of 2024, nearly 100 dads met up at the school to plan even bigger events. And it’s not just the students who benefit. “Many of us dads have now become great friends,” notes Percy.

“We know each other’s kids and stop to say hello when we see one another around town,” adds Hubert with a smile.

“The kids look forward to it, and most of the teachers tell me Dad Squad Day is their favorite day of the school year,” says Principal Alexander. “But I think the ones who enjoy and get the most out of The Dad Squad are the dads themselves.”