HAYWARD (KRON) — A million men across the nation participated in the Million Father March on Thursday morning.

Dads brought their kids to their first day of school to provide safety, support and encouragement.

KRON4’s Will Tran spent the morning talking with kids and fathers at Longwood Elementary School in Hayward.

“It makes me feel like I have someone that cares about me,” a young boy said.

600 cities across the nation participated in the event.

“You have to show the fathers that don’t know any better,” said one father.

Research shows that children whose fathers take an active role in their educational lives earn better grades, score higher on tests, enjoy school more and are more likely to graduate from high school and attend college, according to organizers.