WHO:

Students and fathers and father-figures of Vaughan Elementary students.

WHAT:

WATCH D.O.G.S.® (Dads Of Great Students) is the fathering initiative of the National Center for Fathering (www.fathers.com/watchdogs). The program began in a single school in 1998 and has since grown to a national program with WATCH D.O.G.S. ® schools in almost every state in the nation.  Vaughan started the Watchdog program at our school during the 2010-2011 school year.  On your duty day at Vaughan, you may rotate through classes, patrol our hallways, have lunch with your child(ren), join in the fun at recess, help in library and PE classes and assist in the cafeteria. Not only will it be a great day for you....you will be a Hero for the day in your child's eyes and in many others as well. You and your child will have an official picture taken and displayed on our D.O.G.S. Wall of Fame.

WHY:

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. 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 avoiding potentially devastating choices that result in a criminal record or a teen pregnancy. 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.

Program benefits

1. 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.

2. Schools gain an extra set of eyes and ears. The presence of WatchDOGS (Dads Of Great Students) can increase a sense of security at the building for students and staff, and it helps create an environment conducive to learning.

3. 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’.

4. When WatchDOGS invest a day at school, they can learn how better to partner with the school to meet educational goals of students.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

• For Vaughan Elementary Watch D.O.G.S. or Watch DOGS Launch Party information, contact Melissa Dreher melissa.dreher@allenisd.org 

• WATCH D.O.G.S.® national program information can be found at: www.fathers.com/watchdogs.

• To sign up, follow the steps below:

  • Go fill out your volunteer background check through Allen ISD here: https://www.allenisd.org/page/register-volunteer

  • Then, go to https://vaughanpta.membershiptoolkit.com/watchdogs and sign up for an available day of your choice.

  • If something comes up and you are unable to volunteer, please go back into the sign up and change it, then email Mrs. Dreher to let her know. Her email is melissa.dreher@allenisd.org.