Fathers Get Involved in Local Elementary School

On February 27th, the U.S. Grant Elementary School Multipurpose center flooded with excitement as the first kick-off event for the WATCH D.O.G.S. (Dads Of Great Students) program was held. WATCH D.O.G.S.® is the father involvement initiative of the National Center For Fathering. Inspired by one father’s desire to increase male involvement in his children’s school and with the help of the schools teachers and administration, WATCH D.O.G.S was created in 1998 at George Elementary in Springdale, AR. By implementing strong male figures into the schools, the program hopes to constructively impact the success of the children, both in personal growth and in education. Studies by the U.S. Department of Education have demonstrated that a positive adult male role model will have a uniquely positive impact on the development and educational success of a child. The U.S. Department of Education has identified the WATCH D.O.G.S. ® program as an effective way to increase male involvement in our nation’s schools. Each school year thousands of men volunteer to work at least one day in their child’s school through the WATCH D.O.G.S. ® program. These men work along side the educators to help as crossing guards, car/bus rider facilitators, hallway monitors, library assistants, lunchroom helpers, classroom and homework tutors and playground/gymnasium coaches. The possibilities are endless. Every school year these men have a positive impact on the lives of hundreds of thousands of kids. According to the official website, www.fathers.com/watchdogs, since the establishment of the program it has spread to more than 3,793 schools in 46 states. Thursday night marked the introduction of the program into the school as more than 280 confirmed guests watched a video presentation on the benefits of getting involved. Alyssa Lara, mother of three, and wife to one of the D.O.G.S. shared, "here you see familiar faces and feel calmed." The close-knit relationships in the community between administrators, parents, and teachers adds to the effectiveness of the program. Principal Kathy Jackson shares, "If a child is struggling, sometimes all they need is a male teacher to read to them." The program seems to emit an overall sense of family in regards to comfort. For those children who have limited, or no time to spend with a father at home, are still able to experience exposure to a number of positive male role models in the classroom. Some of the top D.O.G.S. (pictured), Jon Doole, Ray Magallanez, and Maurice Paniagua express their enthusiasm for the program. This kick-off event salutes to the first school in the Colton Joint Unified School District to participate in that the program, and the beginning of a program the school hopes to keep alive for years to come.