Volunteer
Get involved and volunteer! Become a Coronado Elementary School Watch DOG Dad.
What is the Watch DOGS Volunteer Program?
WATCH D.O.G.S. ® (Dads of Great Students) is an innovative father-involvement educational initiative of the National Center for Fathering with two primary goals:
- Provide positive male role models for the students
- Demonstrated by their presence that education is important
- Enhance school security and reduce bullying with extra sets of eyes and ears
Began with one school
WATCH D.O.G.S.® began in 1998 in a single school in Springdale, Arkansas and has grown into one of the largest most respected school-based, family, and community organizations in the country.
This nationally recognized program has brought hundreds of thousands of fathers and father figures into the school classrooms and hallways across the country. Every year participants have logged millions of hours of “in-school” volunteer time, significantly impacting the educational process.
Today more than 4,049 schools in 46 states plus DC participate in WATCH D.O.G.S.®.
Benefits
How Watch DOGS are transforming schools and strengthening families:
- Students gain a positive male role model.
- Many students do not have a father figure at home and benefit from a positive male role model’s presence.
- Schools gain an extra set of eyes and ears.
- The presence of a father or father figure enhances a sense of security at the building for students and staff
- Helps create an environment conducive to learning for students and staff.
- Fathers get a glimpse of their students’ everyday world.
- Learn about the complex challenges and decisions facing today’s youth
- Relate better and deepen the connection with their student
- Fathers gain greater awareness of the positive impact they can have on their student’s life in three critical areas:
- academic performance
- self-esteem
- social behavior
Recognition and results
The WATCH D.O.G.S.® (Dads of Great Students) program has been recognized by the United States Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and has been involved in the U.S. Department of Education’s Partnership for Family Involvement In Education (PFIE) . and the department’s Safe School Summit.
The program developed by a founding member of the National PTA® MORE Alliance (Men Organized to Raise Engagement) has been featured on ABC World News Tonight with Charlie Gibson in their “Spirit of America” segment on November 17, 2008 and a February 2009 article in the New York Times. WATCH D.O.G.S.® has been endorsed by the President’s Advisory Council and included in the March 2010 report to the president of the United States.
Moreover, it has been recognized on the floor of the US Congress as a program that “can be a great tool in our efforts to prevent school violence and improve student performance because it can increase parental initiative and involvement in their children’s education.” (Congressional Record, February 7, 2000 page S392)
Who are the Watch DOG Volunteers?
Watch DOGS are fathers, grandfathers, uncles, and other father figures who volunteer for at least one day each year at an official WATCH D.O.G.S. ® school.
During the day, WatchDOGS may read and work on flash cards with students, play at recess, eat lunch with students, watch the school entrances and hallways, assist with traffic flow and any other assigned activities where they actively engage with not only their students but also other students as well.
Many school principals have reported that the mere presence of a Watch DOG dramatically reduces reports of bullying. On the day of their participation, they are given a brief review of their involvement and they wear an official WATCH D.O.G.S. ® t-shirt with a disposable “dog tag” identifying them as Watch DOGS.
Why You Should Volunteer
Discover what role models can do for your school, community and home:
- Join the movement to raise the banner of positive fathering through schools across America and the world.
- Awaken fathers to the values and benefits of committed fathering.
- Change culture by helping to connect every student with a positive father-figure role model at school.
- Positively impact your student’s life and school by volunteering to become a Watch DOG.
Want to be a Coronado Watch DOGS dad?
Interested participants will be sent an application, a confidentiality agreement and a background check form. Once the paperwork is complete a time slot can be scheduled once a week or once a month, in the morning or afternoon.
For more information about the national WATCH D.O.G.S. ® program, you can visit the website.
Contact Us
Ready to volunteer at Coronado Elementary and want to learn more?