Family Day gets families together for dinner

A group of local students have an opportunity to jump to the front of the lunch line. However, these students can not seize this opportunity without the help of their families.

In observance of the eighth annual Family Day, which is on Monday, Fort Scott Middle School is conducting a promotion aimed at getting families together for dinner. According to FSMS principal Barbara Albright, any middle school student who eats a meal with his or her family on Monday needs to give the school a copy of the menu that was served during the dinner. In addition, each family member should sign the menu, as proof that each was present for the meal.

Students who produce the signed menu will be rewarded with five front-of-the-line lunch passes, Albright said.

According to a Family Day brochure, the day is part of a national movement to remind parents about the importance of being involved in their children's lives. Family Day encourages parents to have frequent family dinners with their children, stating eating together as a family helps reduce the number of children who develop substance abuse habits.

Children who do not have supper with their families very often, are more likely to suffer from drug and alcohol abuse than those who consistently eat dinner with their families, the Family Day brochure said.

Also, children who frequent the family dinner table statistically will develop friendships with others who are not involved with substance abuse. In addition, these students have been shown to earn better grades in school.

According to Family Day, the part of a family dinner that children enjoy most is spending time with their parents.

"... Whether you are cooking a gourmet meal or ordering from your favorite take-out place, rest assured that what your kids really want at the dinner table is you," Family Day's Web site said. "The conversations that go hand-in-hand with dinner help you learn more about your children's lives and help you better understand the challenges they face ..."

Parents who want more information about Family Day, can visit www.CASAFamilyDay.org. Families can also access the Web site's free Family Dinner Kit, which includes conversation starters, menu cards and colorable placemats for the children.

Family Day also encourages parents to take the Family Day STAR pledge.

"Spend time with your kids by having dinner together," the pledge said. "Talk to them about their friends, interests and the dangers of drugs and alcohol. Answer their questions and listen to what they say. Recognize that you have the power to keep your kids substance-free."