Watch D.O.G.S - Fairview Elementary
State Principals Conference, Lincoln, Nebraska
Introduction - Watch D.O.G.S.
1. To provide a positive male role models for students, demonstrating by their presence that education is important.
2. To provide an extra set of eyes and ears to enhance school security and reduce bullying.
Fathers, stepdads, grandfathers, and uncles rare asked to spend one 1/2 day (a.m. or p.m.) on Tuesdays and Thursdays at Fairview Elementary.
They support the school by monitoring the school property working one-on-one or in small groups, reading, using flashcards, helping with assignments or homework, refereeing games, listening ears, or whatever else needs to be done to PLANT THE SEEDS OF SUCCESS in the lives of students (Watch D.O.G.S., 7).
Start Up for 2014-2015 = $365.00 + 5 adult shirts and 3 kid shirts (+$250.00 for Pizza Night)
Start Up for 2015-2016 = $170.00 + 3 shirts ($300.00 for Pizza Night)
School Representative - Top Dog
The Top Dogs main responsibilities include -
1. Assist in the Pizza Night Launch Event at the beginning of the year.
2. Input information on the "Volunteer Spot" for fathers to sign-up to serve as a Watch D.O.G.
3. Determine funding of the program and working with PTA.
4. Assist building principal with developing the school year schedule.
Pizza Night Launch
Determine how you will be able to purchase pizzas.
Pre-Planning for Pizza Launch Night:
1. We send out "Pizza Night Invites" home (2 weeks in advance and 3 times within that 2 week period) with students to gain an understanding of how many individuals will be at our event.
2. Little Caesers partners with us, and provides us with pizzas for $5.00. PTA donates the soda. Total pizza cost - $260.00
3. Set-up tables with pens and sign-up stickers (provided in our Watch D.O.G. kit). Hang the year long calendar in the gym. Mark off specific dates that a WD will not be in the building. We only have WD's on Tuesdays and Thursdays - A.M. and P.M. (total of 4 WD per week).
4. Focus on the "Pizza Night Presentation Outline" provided by the WD program. This keeps us on track and focused on the facts of what the program entails.
During Pizza Launch -
1. All documents and outline are provided by the Watch D.O.G. program.
2. We cater the evening to reflect what is already outlined.
3. KEEP IN MIND - THE PIZZA LAUNCH IS FOR 1 HOUR ONLY! FROM START TO FINISH :)
4. FOLLOW THE SCRIPT/OUTLINE TO STAY ON TRACK - Have a schedule available for fathers to follow along.
5. Drawings for free WD shirts can be given out. Order forms are available on the tables for the fathers if they are interested. My secretary orders the shirts to reduce the cost of S&H.
6 Most important - GET THOSE DADS TO THE CALENDAR AFTER THE PRESENTATION!
Scheduling - It's so much FUN!
Here's a snap-shot of the scheduling piece -
1. Top Dog coordinator inputs all of the fathers/father figure information from the Pizza Night into a web-based program - Volunteer Spot. This is free!
2. A Google Document is created - a list of dates, dads, and times are on the google document. Teachers have the opportunity to sign themselves up for when a WD will be in the building OR I will automatically sign teachers up. Any and all teachers who have a WD in the building that day WILL have a WD in their room.
3. Watch Dogs are scheduled for a total of 20 minutes per classroom with 10 minute transitions between each room. There are a total of 5 classrooms in the a.m. and p.m.
5. At the end of the WD day, the fathers will take a survey for us to gain feedback on the day.
Make Them Feel Great!
Our goal is to have our fathers/grandfathers come back more than once, as well as, volunteer at other school events/functions.
The moment the WD comes into our building we hit the road running!
Let's review the A.M. and P.M. Schedule!!
Feedback is IMPORTANT - "End of the Day" Survey helps us to adjust what we do going forward with our WD volunteers!
Watch DOG enjoys PE class!
Students enjoy having the Watch DOG take part!!
Watch Dog helping students during a Math Game!
Feedback from our Watch Dogs so far.....
Reading stories to the class
My daughter loved me being that and that's why I loved it
The children were extremely happy and I was very well received by all of them, as well as, their teachers.
The kids recognizing me in the hallways after seeing them in the classroom, and my child and his friends proudly showing me off.
Learning what my children do and what students are learning.
All of it! These children and educators are amazing!
Getting to see my daughter in the school environment and playing math games with the students.
Participating in PE with the students. I realize this is personality dependent, but for me it was excellent.
A day in the life of school staff - WOW!
AREAS TO CONSIDER....
I would help to improve my schools Watch D.O.G.S. program by volunteering and recommending the program to other father figures.
Emailing orientation/schedule ahead of time to save some time at the school. A brief overview of the safety (fire drill, lock-down/out) just in case.
Spending more time with the students. 20 minutes is not enough class time. Maybe less classes per day would allow more time with students.
Encouraging more volunteer times.