WATCH D.O.G.S.^®is the father involvement initiative of the National Center for Fathering that was founded by Jim Moore, a concerned father who chose to take action in response to a 1998 middle-school shooting in Jonesboro, AR. Moore wanted to help prevent violence from occurring at his children’s school or at any school. The first program was launched at George Elementary in Springdale, AR, the school of Moore’s oldest child. Today, more than 1,659 programs in 38 states and New Zealand participate in WATCH D.O.G.S.^®

How WATCH D.O.G.S.^® Works

WATCH D.O.G.S.^®, a K-12 program, invites fathers, grandfathers, uncles, or other father figures to volunteer at least one day all day at their child’s/student's school during the school year. Individuals sign up at a kick-off event such as a “Dads and Kids Pizza Night” or “Donuts with Dad” or in the office at any time throughout the school year. The program is overseen by a “Top Dog” volunteer who partners with the school administrator to coordinate scheduling and identify opportunities for WatchDOGS to provide assistance at the school. WatchDOG volunteers perform a variety of tasks during their volunteer day including monitoring the school entrance, assisting with unloading and loading of buses and cars, monitoring the lunch room, or helping in the classroom with a teacher's guidance by working with small groups of students on homework, flashcards, or spelling.

How Watch D.O.G.S. Work at BSE!

All you need to do to sign up is contact Mendy Brents either at 441-1777 or through her email at brentsm@usd204.net. You can stay the day or as long as you are available. You will be able to work in your child's classroom or help out in various classrooms in the school. We have WATCH D.O.G.S walk through the school and on school grounds to look to make sure everything is safe and if anything needs to be addressed. This program has been a success in getting Dads to voluteer in the classroom and do get involved at BSE.

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