LOUISVILLE, Ky. — School started a little differently at Byck Elementary on Wednesday.
Flash Dads is a Jefferson County Public Schools program that brings men from the community into schools to welcome students with music, high fives and positive affirmations.
Deandre Simpson is proud to be part of the initiative.
“I came out here to support the kids to be a positive influence to help them have a brighter day and try to encourage them to do great things,” said Simpson.
It was a complete surprise to students and 5th grader Danyia Landrum.
“A normal morning, I just get my breakfast and just walk through the hallway and go to class, but this morning I had a lot of greetings and I heard ring bells,” said Landrum.
About 100 men, including parents, firefighters, fraternity brothers and community businessmen and leaders, including Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer, lined the hallways to cheer on students headed to class.
“Hopefully it brightens their day kind of makes them feel good about themselves so they can take on their learning responsibilities in a more positive manner and soak in what the teachers give them,” Fischer said.
Danyia said Flash Dads did just that.
“This morning it was getting me excited, and it made me feel good,” said Landrum.
School Principal Carla Kolodey said the school focuses on igniting good without expecting anything in return.
That rubbed off on Simpson during the few minutes he spent in the building.
“At first I came out here to do charity work. I found myself coming out here more for me because I get a lot from these kids’ energy so when they are happy to see us it just makes me feel good inside that I can contribute something so to the community,” said Simpson.
Flash Dads will surprise one school each month for the rest of the school year.
“I’ll be here as long as I have two legs and I wake up in the morning, I’m gonna be here,” said Simpson.
He’s getting involved to show students, they matter and their community cares for them.
Flash Dads will surprise another school on Nov. 2.