Cool dance moves from decades past were resurrected when Nansemond Parkway Elementary School held its first Father-Daughter Valentine’s Day Dance on Tuesday.

More than 100 dads and father figures attended with their students, and all the participants were dressed to impress, according to Nansemond Parkway principal Chanel Bryant.

“The purpose of the dance was not just to give parents and students the opportunity to have a great time, but to also promote the school’s Watch D.O.G.S. program,” Bryant stated.

D.O.G.S. stands for Dads of Great Students, and the program’s idea is to get more dads volunteering at the school and involved in the education of their children.

“Our first annual Father-Daughter Dance provided an opportunity for fathers and grandfathers to get out and spend quality time with their daughters and granddaughters,” according to Garrick Rhoads, Nansemond Parkway’s assistant principal, who spearheaded the dance with Kevin Blount, the school’s Watch D.O.G.S. chairperson.

Rhoads stated they are “looking for ways to get positive male role models in the building, both during and after school hours. This event was definitely a step in the right direction as we now have over 30 dads signed up to be volunteers at Nansemond Parkway.”

Many staff members at the school volunteered during the event, where dads and daughters danced the night away and also had the opportunity to have professional pictures taken as keepsakes.

Gift baskets were raffled, too, raising money toward new shelves so the school’s PE teacher can store more equipment.

Bryant applauded Rhoads and Blount, as well as all the staff members who helped make the night a success. “Everyone was dressed so nice and had a great time, and we look forward to more events in the future,” she stated.

The school is planning more activities to strengthen the Watch D.O.G.S. program, Bryant stated, adding that it’s all about bringing more male presence.