In early February, the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) at Browns Point Elementary School had its first WatchDOGS walking the halls of its school. WatchDOGS—which stands for “Dads of Great Students”—is a national program from the National Center of Fathering. WatchDOGS are fathers, grandfathers, uncles and other father figures who volunteer at schools for at least one day each year.
PTA Co-President Kerri O’Farrell heard about the program from a fellow parent whose children attend Sherwood Forest Elementary school in Federal Way. The state PTA offered a workshop on the program at the state convention last May. Both O’Farrell and Executive Committee member Dana Peregrine attended the program, and both knew there was a place for WatchDOGS at Browns Point.
Parent Aaron Johansen volunteered to be the school’s ‘Top Dog’ and launch WatchDOGS. In early January, the PTA sponsored a “Dad and Me” pizza night. Johansen planned for 65 dads—more than 90 showed up with children in tow! During that first introduction to the program, more than half of the dads put their names down on the calendar to give one day this school year to Browns Point.
After that night, T-shirts were ordered and schedules were made. Now nearly every day, you will see a WatchDOG starting his day helping with drop-off, working in various classrooms, being a presence during lunch, and, of course, playing at recess. And, when you visit Browns Point Elementary School, you will see the school’s “Wall of Fame” where a picture of every WatchDOG and his child/children hangs proudly.
For more information, check the Web site at www.fathers.com/watchdogs.