This bulletin board is packed with WatchDOGS and their students.
The Watch D.O.G.S program is a national program designed to
get male role models into schools that historically have been dominated
primarily by women. The founders of the program know the value and importance
that male role models play in the development of all children. Watch DOGS are fathers,
grandfathers, step-fathers, uncles, and other father figures who volunteer to
serve at least one day a year in a variety of school activities as assigned by
the school. The D.O.G.S in Watch DOGS stands for Dads of Great Students - but you
don’t have to be a Dad to be a father figure to students!
The Watch D.O.G.S program was started at TWE three years ago
when we opened. Adjustments and improvements have been made each year to make
the experience more enjoyable for dads and more meaningful for all the students
in our school. The goal of our Watch DOG program is for dads to get involved in
the education process, be visible in our school for safety purposes, and to
interact with as many students as possible during the day.
If you have participated in our Watch DOG program then you
know that it is not a day with your child, but instead a day with many
children. Dads assist with science labs, do sight words and other activities
with students in Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grade, help
out in specials (Art, Music and PE), interact with students in our ESL (English
as a Second Language) and GT (Gifted and Talented) programs, and last but
certainly not least have lunch with their student(s).
Being a Watch DOG is your opportunity as a Dad to serve our
school in a variety of ways. We strive to make the experience meaningful for
each dad who volunteers by making them an individualized schedule for the day.
At the end of the day, each Watch DOG takes a survey, is able to give
suggestions on how we can improve the program, and rates different aspects of
the experience. We use the results of that survey to be reflective about our
practices and discuss possible changes with our staff members.
Watch DOGS is something I am passionate about and invite all
dads to participate. It may be one day a year, but it can make a huge impact on
the students at our school. I would like to give a BIG THANK YOU to Ben
Simiskey and Laura Barrientos for all of their help with the Watch DOG program.
They are both instrumental in making the program the success that it is. Thank
you to our teachers for preparing activities that allow Watch DOGS to get
involved in the classroom and feel welcomed into our school. And finally, thank
you to the many Watch DOGS who have volunteered this year. We enjoy having you
on our campus! If you have not signed up to be a Watch DOG this year, I
encourage you to find the time and make it happen.
To find our more information about the Watch DOG program
visit the official Watch DOG website by clicking on the link below.
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