'Guy stuff' on the reading agenda
for new dad, son club

Pinball Clemons helps launch
Calderstone Middle School
reading program

When pre-teen boys hang out with their dads and other guys, what they most want to do is—read. That's the hope behind a new father and son reading club that Calderstone Middle School in Brampton will launch on April 5, with the help of Michael "Pinball" Clemons.

The program brings literacy and character education together, says principal Patrika Daws. "Boys tend to score lower on literacy tests, and it's harder to get them excited about reading. With this program, we're trying to promote a love of reading," Daws says. "But it's also about giving them a chance to spend time with a man who's important in their lives—that could be their dad, but it could also be an uncle, older brother, grandfather, or one of the male teachers who are volunteering to be part of the program."

Positive role models are especially important to adolescent boys. That's the reason the school invited Clemons to introduce the new father and son program. As a surprise guest speaker for the 900-plus Calderstone students, Clemons will talk about making positive decisions, as well as discussing the importance of reading and sharing his own enjoyment of reading.

When the program starts, fathers and sons will meet in the school library on alternate Wednesday evenings. Boys have chosen all the reading materials for the program. "We have an incredible assortment of graphic novels, sports magazines and books, and nonfiction books like Guinness World Records—all 'guy-friendly' material that boys have expressed an overwhelming interest in," explains Harjit Aujla, teacher-librarian at Calderstone and organizer of the program.

"The club will be structured to give fathers and sons a fun, informal atmosphere that encourages them to share the enjoyment of reading. We want them to talk while they're reading."

Nadeem Yousuf is one of the first dads to sign up for the new program—even before it's been launched. "I really want to be part of this program because it will give me the opportunity to spend time with my son and at the same time to be involved with his school."

Yousuf's son, 13 year-old Muiz, agrees. "The reading program will be a fun way to spend time with my dad and some of my friends. And I like to read sports books, magazines and graphic novels."  

The father and son reading program is supported by research, including a survey done by the Peel District School Board in 2004. The board asked 60,000 students in grades 4 to 10 about their attitudes towards reading. The study found that more than 90 per cent of students want to choose their own reading material, but boys and girls reported distinct differences in what they prefer to read. The study also showed the need for families to continue to support reading.  Only half of students report that their families enjoy reading. Less than 10 per cent of students in grade 4 to 10 are read to by parents.

"If we want boys to grow up to love reading, it's vital for them to see that reading is something men do—and that they enjoy it," Aujla says.

The launch of the father and son reading program will take place at Calderstone Middle School at 12:30 p.m. on April 5. Calderstone is located at 160 Calderstone Rd., Brampton. The school opened in 2006 and serves more than 900 students in grades 6 to 8 in the community of Brampton.

The Peel board serves more than 147,000 students in kindergarten to the end of secondary school. Operating 226 schools in the municipalities of Brampton, Caledon and Mississauga, the Peel board is one of the largest employers in Peel.