By Jim Melwert

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – Philadelphia was one of more than 800 cities taking part the Million Father March, as dads – and moms – were encouraged to walk their children to school today.

Among the community leaders taking part in the march was new Philadelphia schools Superintendent William Hite.

“It shows that we care, we understand, we want our young people to be successful and we want to model that for all our young people here,” said Hite.

Mayor Michael Nutter addressing a crowd of students and parents outside Universal Bluford Charter School, had some advice for moms and dads: “Parents, please do not fall for the oldest trick in the book: ‘I don’t have any homework.’ It wasn’t true when we were kids, and it’s not true now.”

Dad Joseph Hubbard says watching his children these first few days of the year, brought back memories of his childhood, of making new friends and meeting new teachers.

“I live through them, they live through me. Feel the enjoyment of them going to school, should be a pretty good year for them.”