Engaging Father. Enriching lifes.
SHARE. CARE. REPEAT.
Monday to Fridays (depending on Bentley Elementary Schedule)
Richmond, TX
Hurry up, Only few seats are available
Monday to Fridays (depending on Bentley Elementary Schedule)
Richmond, TX
Hurry up, Only few seats are available
Watch D.O.G.S was created in part as a response to School violence in the late part of the 1990’s, so that the Dad’s would serve as ” A 2nd set of eye’s” for both the kids safety and to help combat bullying. It has grown into something much more, and you are about to help with this ever changing program!
WATCH D.O.G.S., a K-12 program, invites fathers, grandfathers, uncles, or other father figures to volunteer at least one full day at their child’s/student’s school during the school year. Individuals sign up at a ‘Launch 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. WatchDOGS 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.
Program Effectiveness
Program Benefits
1) To provide positive male role models for the students, demonstrating by their presence that education is important.
2) To provide extra sets of eyes and ears to enhance school security and reduce bullying.
WATCH D.O.G.S. began in 1998 in a single school in Springdale, Arkansas and has since grown into a national recognized program that has brought hundreds of thousands of fathers and father figures into the school classrooms and hallways across the country, creating millions of hours of “in school” volunteer time and having a tremendously positive impact on the educational process. Today more than 5,348 schools in 47 states plus DC participate in WATCH D.O.G.S. Currently, there are WATCH D.O.G.S. programs in China, Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Barbados.
WatchDOGS 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 own students, but other students as well. Many school principals have reported that the mere presence of a WatchDOG dramatically reduces reports of bullying. On the day of their participation, WatchDOGS 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 WATCHDOGS.
Bentley Elementary
9910 FM Rd 359, Richmond, TX 77406
Time: 7:00 AM to 2:30 PM
Watch our team and collaborators work in action
Watch DOGS was originally designed for the dad to be able to take a full day off and spend the whole day in the classroom. However, as the job market has changed and evolved, so do we, and we are happy to set up half days with proper notice. The idea is for all dads/father figures to be able to get into the class and experience the program!
We know that many of our dads have reasons that their schedule is hectic and it is very hard to pin down what day’s they may have off in advance. Some dads are deployed. Some dads work offshore. We know these schedule change rapidly, and again, we want ALL dads to have the opportunity to serve as a Watch DOG, and we are able to set those dates with as little as 24 hours notice. Possibly shorter under extreme circumstances. Email or call as soon as possible when you find out you will be free and would like to serve!
6:50 AM to be checked in at the front office. Please bring your state/federal issue ID.
Watch DOGS has a line of t-shirts that we ask the dads to purchase their day of service. Those T-shirts are available at fathers.com under Watch DOGS. If a dad does not have a t-shirt, he will NOT be turned away, however, so that the staff and kids recognize you when they see you, we ask that you wear an official Watch DOGS t-shirt
Any male figure in a child’s life is eligible to serve as their Watch DOG for the day. Uncle’s, Grand father’s, Step-Dad’s, and of course, Dad’s!
Hosting the Watch DOGS program on our campus is a dream come true for me because it is a unique way to bridge the gap between homes and schools on the local school campus. Having father figures on campus provides encouragement to students and enables dads to be actively involved in their children’s education and school campus, instead of what we stereotypically consider being the “mom’s job.” Plus, it also allows for extra sets of eyes and ears, in addition to teachers and staff, who all promote the safety and well-being of our precious kids. My kids are so proud of their dad and to be the “Watch DOG’s” kids on the days when he is able to volunteer. Speaking of their dad…his regular job is pretty stressful and demanding on a daily basis, but he never comes home and naps. Every time he has come home from his day serving as a Watch DOG, he’s had to take a nap to recover from working so hard! We are so thankful for the Watch DOGS program at Bentley Elementary and look forward to seeing more dads and father figures on campus!
Courtney Wilcox