A Maryville father wanting to be more involved in his children’s lives initiated a local chapter of a national organization at Foothills Elementary School.
By Eric Rice 
Watch D.O.G.S. (Dads of Great Students) is a “Father Involvement Initiative of the National Center for Fathering.” Jim Moore created the program in 1998 in response to a tragic school shooting in Jonesboro, AR. Noting the relative absence of fathers in his own son’s school, Moore began recruiting men and challenging them to become more involved in the school. Today, 1,500 schools and 65,000 men are reconnecting with their kids, keeping schools safe, and supporting the work of school teachers and administrators through Watch D.O.G.S.
After researching the program for some time as a way to be more involved with my own kids, I introduced the program to Principal Amy Vagnier at Foothills Elementary School. She, along with school administrators Tammy Hooper and Kara Buckner, began putting the plans in place to launch Watch D.O.G.S. at Foothills. On Jan. 12, 2010, the school hosted its first annual Dads and Kids Pizza Night, to kick off the program. More than 500 people, including 200 dads, were in attendance to hear about Watch D.O.G.S. Fathers and father figures were challenged to take an active role in the lives of their kids, specifically in their education. Dads were asked to commit to spending at least one full day in the school per school year and more than 100 dads have done so already.
Dads show up for their “Dog Day” at 7:15 a.m. wearing their Watch D.O.G.S. “uniform” t-shirt. They receive a specific schedule and spend time, not only in their own kids’ classroom, but in other areas needing assistance, such as playground duty, the lunchroom, “specials” (Music, Art, P.E., Library), and small reading groups. They also help with arrival and dismissal, patrol the hallways and periodically walk the perimeter of the school. Dads have thoroughly enjoyed their experience, and the faculty and students have also responded positively to the new Watch D.O.G.S. presence.
Since implementing Watch D.O.G.S., 89% of schools have found the program to be a valuable component of the schools effort to promote a safe and positive learning environment, and 79% have noted an increase of father involvement in the school in other areas such as parent/teacher conferences, volunteerism, and PTA/PTO involvement, according to information on the National Center for Fathering’s web site. Visit the NCF website to learn more about the Watch D.O.G.S., as well as the effects an involved father can have on his kids, and ideas about how to become more involved in your kids’ lives. Go to NCF’s web site for more information.
Dan Kline responded on 11 Feb 2010 at 3:41 pm #
This is a much needed element not only in schools but in every aspect of a family’s life. It’s exciting to see Fathers stepping up to the plate and being present, answering the call to show young boys what fatherhood is really about. Hats off to Eric Rice and all the men who are following their God-given call to “be the man!”