Watch D.O.G.S. Program Kickoff At John Tyler
Posted/updated on: March 21, 2011 at 4:52 pm
TYLER — John Tyler High School, Bank of America, and Parent Services Center have partnered to bring a nationally acclaimed father-involvement program called Watch D.O.G.S. (Dads of Good Students) to John Tyler High School. The organizational meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, March 21, at the John Tyler gym. Theodore Timms, Associate Principal and coordinator of the project, explained, “Watch D.O.G.S. is an innovative program developed in 1998 by the National Center for Fathering. It is endorsed by National PTA and PTO. Fathers and father-figures of students are invited to spend at least one day per year volunteering at their child’s school.”
According to Timms, schools that participate have experienced some amazing results. “For example, 79% of participating schools noted a significant increase in safety, 52% reported that the Watch D.O.G.S. Program contributed to a decrease in student behavioral problems, and 50% noted an increase in student achievement,” he stated.
John Tyler PTA President and Top Dog Coordinator James Brooks noted that benefits from the Watch D.O.G.S. Program also have impact on the fathers’ relationships with their children. “The Watch D.O.G.S website reports that 90% of students with Watch D.O.G.S. dads have a G.P.A. of 3.0 or higher, 82% never have behavioral issues during school, and 92% of fathers who participate state that they are more active with their student outside of education. These are pretty amazing improvements.” Mr. Brooks has recruited a “Top Dog Team” of five fathers and father-figures, who will recruit and train participants.
Parent Services Center Executive Director Shelley Judd explained that her organization is a non-profit United Way agency whose mission is to educate and support parents and prevent family breakdown. “When we learned about the Watch D.O.G.S. Program, we approached Mr. Timms at John Tyler. He immediately saw the value of the project, so we approached Bank of America for a grant to help them get started, and the rest is history,” explained Judd.
Coach Christina Whitehead is serving as faculty liaison. “My role is to work with our teachers so that they provide meaningful activities for the Watch D.O.G.S. during their day of service,” she stated. “Our faculty is enthusiastic about this project, which is a win-win for all involved.” For more information, call John Tyler, 903-262-2858. You can go to http://www.fathers.com to check out the Watch D.O.G.S. website.
Pictured, from left to right: James Brooks, PTA President; Coach Christina Whitehead, faculty liaison; and Theodore Timms, John Tyler High School Associate Principal.
