Hardin Elementary and Junior High Schools launched their WATCH D.O.G.S.® (Dads Of Great Students) program on Monday, Aug. 12, with an impressive turnout. The event, a Dads and Kids’ Pizza Night celebration, drew an incredible 424 attendees, marking a significant kickoff to the program.
The WATCH D.O.G.S.® program, established in 1998 by a group of parents and educators, has grown into one of the nation’s largest and most respected initiatives for increasing male involvement in schools. The program encourages fathers and father-figures to spend at least one full day volunteering at their child’s school, providing positive male role models and additional support for students and educators alike.
Hardin ISD Superintendent Scott Mackey expressed his satisfaction with the strong turnout at the informational meeting.
“I was very pleased with the turnout tonight and hope to see participation continue,” Mackey said. “We just want to find a way to bring great male role models and mentors in for the kids. Some of our students don’t have that on a daily basis. Teaching kids the little things—like the importance of a firm handshake, making eye contact when you are talking to someone, and saying ‘yes, ma’am’ and ‘no, sir’—will go a long way toward helping these kids avoid issues later in life.”
Mackey, who has seen the success of the WATCH D.O.G.S.® program in other school districts, emphasized the importance of safety within the initiative.
“Each volunteer will have to go through a background check. We definitely are not going to put our kids in harm’s way, so we will have everyone checked out first,” he said.
He also highlighted how the WATCH D.O.G.S. will be utilized in the district.
“The way the WATCH D.O.G.S. will be used in the district includes checking exterior doors, being on the lookout for suspicious behavior and people, assisting with car riders in the afternoon as they are picked up by parents, and helping with cafeteria duty, recess, and P.E.,” Mackey said.
Principal Ronald Scott and Dr. Chad Barrett expressed their gratitude to the Hardin High School Student Council, National Honor Society, Cheer Team, and Stingerettes, who played an essential role in the event’s success by distributing pizza, water, and helping supervise students throughout the evening.
Held in the Hardin Elementary School cafeteria, the event provided an opportunity for fathers and father-figures to learn more about the WATCH D.O.G.S.® program and the vital role they can play in their children’s education. The presence of these positive male figures in the school setting not only enhances security and creates a more conducive learning environment but also has a lasting impact on the students. Studies by the U.S. Department of Education have shown that children with positive adult male role models are more likely to excel academically, avoid substance abuse, and make better life choices.
The benefits of the WATCH D.O.G.S.® program extend to all involved. Students gain role models, schools benefit from an extra set of eyes and ears, and fathers and father-figures have the opportunity to spend meaningful time with their students in the school setting. These men work alongside educators as crossing guards, hallway monitors, lunchroom helpers, classroom tutors, and more, making a positive difference in the lives of hundreds of thousands of kids each year.
The WATCH D.O.G.S.® program at Hardin Elementary and Junior High is set to make a lasting impact on the school community, reinforcing the importance of male involvement in education and fostering a safe and supportive environment for all students.
For more information on the WATCH D.O.G.S.® program, interested parties can call 1-888-540-3647, email info@dadsofgreatstudents.com, or visit dadsofgreatstudents.com.