Mancos Elementary is starting a new program that seeks to bring dads and other positive male role models in for a day to volunteer around the campus.
The program, called Watch D.O.G.S., is an initiative of the National Center on Fathering.
Cathy Epps, principal of Mancos Elementary said she’s wanted to roll out an initiative that engaged fathers, grandfathers and other male guardians of her students, and the Watch D.O.G.S. program sounded like the ideal solution.
The goal of the program is to provide positive male role models for students, demonstrating by their presence that education is important, and to provide an extra layer of enhance school security.
“It’s a national program, Dolores does it so I thought about trying it here ... I was hoping for five dads and to see this turnout is beyond any expectation I had,” she said.
To announce the program and recruit dads for this school year, Mancos Elementary held a Pizza night in the cafeteria on Oct. 14 which brought out over 100 students and dads.
Essentially, those who sign up choose a day that they are able to take off work and spend the whole day on the school campus.
After a brief orientation at the beginning of the school day, assigned activities for Watch D.O.G.S. run the gamut of assisting students with math and reading assignments in the classrooms, monitoring the halls, to helping out during recess and lunch. Participants are also given an official WATCH D.O.G.S. t-shirt with a disposable ‘Dog Tag’ identifying them as a Watch D.O.G.
“I guarantee it will be the most exhausting day of your life but will also be the most worthwhile,” said Epps.
Research shows that when kids have a positive male role model in life, that takes an active role in their education, risk for drop out is drastically reduced and productivity is increased.
Mancos Elementary is still recruting for Watch D.O.G.S. For more information, call 970-533-7744.