Center Elementary Kicks Off the Watch D.O.G.S. Program

October 17, 2016 - October 25th at 6pm in the CES Cafeteria, dads and kids of the CES will enjoy a Pizza Party to kick off a innovative father involvement program called Watch D.O.G.S. The Watch D.O.G.S (Dads Of Great Students) Program is open to students and fathers/father figures of Center Elementary 1st graders. 

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. With the help of school teachers and administration, the program was created in 1998. Since then, the program has spread to more than 4,049 schools in over 46 states and other countries abroad. 

Through this program, thousands of men volunteer to work at least one day in their child's school. These men work along side the educators to help as crossing guards, car/bus rider facilitators, hallway monitors, library assistants, lunch room helpers, classroom/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. 

Studies by the US Department of Education have demonstrated the a positive adult male role model will have a uniquely positive impact on the development and educational success of a child. Dramatically increasing the child's likelihood of graduating and getting mostly A's along the way, while at the same time dramatically decreasing the likelihood of that child living in poverty, getting involved with drugs and alcohol, and potentially devastating choices that result in a criminal record or a teen pregnancy. 

Other benefits include: 

  • Students gain a positive male role model. Some students do not have a father-figure present in their home and the number of male teachers has been steadily declining in recent years. More positive male role models are needed in the school setting. 
  • Schools gain an extra set of eyes and ears. The presence of Watch D.O.G.S can increase a sense of security at the building for students and staff. It helps create an environment conductive to learning. 
  • Fathers and father figures can spend meaningful time with their students in the school setting and gain a greater awareness of the positive impact they can have on their student's life, just by being a 'dad'.
  • When Watch D.O.G.S. invest a day at school, they can learn how better to partner with the school to meet educational goals of students. 

For more information on the Watch D.O.G.S. Program, please call 1-888-540-3647, email watchdogs@fathers.com or visit www.fathers.com/watchdogs. For more information in regards to the CES Watch D.O.G.S. Pizza Night, please contact assistant principal Rick Baker at 935-598-3625 ext. 2518.