Watch Dog Dads

A Father with his three children

In 2011, we brought the WatchDOG Dads program to Wildcat Mountain Elementary and the response has been amazing! Fathers report "feeling like rockstars" when students line up to give high-fives on the playground or in the lunchroom. Teachers enjoy the extra set of hands in the classroom. We all love the energy and enthusiasm our dads bring with them. These role models make a big difference.

The Watch D.O.G.S. program is affiliated with WatchDOGS (Dads Of Great Students) Across America. To read more, go to www.fathers.com. The purpose of the program is simple - to bring more male volunteers into our schools. WatchDOGS are fathers, step-fathers, uncles, grandfathers, or other father figures who volunteer to serve at least one day a year in our school.

What is the Watch D.O.G.S. program?

The Watch D.O.G.S. program is affiliated with WatchDOGS (Dads Of Great Students) Across America. To read more, go to Fathers.com. The purpose of the program is simple - to bring more male volunteers into our schools. WatchDOGS are fathers, step-fathers, uncles, grandfathers, or other father figures who volunteer to serve at least one day a year in our school.

A Typical Day

Our WatchDOGs arrive at 8:30 a.m. in the morning. WatchDOGS wear a vest so they are easily recognized in the building and their children wear a sticker telling everyone that their dad is today's WatchDOG. A dad's day begins greeting students as they arrive and assisting in the drop-off lane or by the bus loop. After a brief orientation, WatchDOGS receive a detailed schedule for the day. We keep dads busy in classrooms, working with small groups of students, helping teachers with specials projects and many other things. WatchDOGs hang out in the cafeteria with the students, enjoy lunch with their own children, and spend time at recess getting to know the kids. You may even find them joining in on a game of basketball or four square. The day ends around 3:15 p.m. with a program survey, a reminder call to the next WatchDOG dad, and saying goodbye to students. It is a busy, but very rewarding day.

A Watch Dog Dad with his two sons

Hear from Past WatchDOGs

Here's what our WatchDOG Dads report at the end of the day:

"The highlight of my WatchDOGS experience was spending time with the kids and helping with reading and math skills."

"...playing basketball and football with the students during recess. All the kids were so excited to have me here."

"Highlights were seeing how the school functions and being able to help students. And, the high fives!"

"A real bonus was being with my two daughters in class, lunch, and recess."

We love our WatchDOG Dads!

We love our WatchDOG Dads!