Watch D.O.G.S. first annual ‘Dads and Kids’ pizza night

by Tina Cole-Mullins

Feb. 12, Smith Elementary hosted its first annual Watch D.O.G.S. ‘Dads and Kids’ pizza night.

Short for Dads of Great Students, Watch D.O.G.S. is a national mentoring program of putting positive male figures into schools. No actual dogs are involved.

According to participant Clyde Whitaker, “The program puts more male figures visible in the lives of student’s, whether they see us at recess, maybe spending time in their classrooms, playing a sport event with them at school, or just being there to listen and set a good example for kids to follow.”

Participants need not be fathers, simply a male influence interested in mentoring kids. “It can be dads, grandpas, uncles, stepdads, any male figure helping provide positive examples for the kids.” Whitaker smiled.

Participants also provide an extra set of eyes and ears to help combat bullying and address issues with an added layer of security.

“We had nearly 50 dads show up for the event with nearly 50 students. The excitement and enthusiasm were evident through the smiles of the dads and their students,” Justin Walz, parent coordinator, said.

Principal Brad Edwards and Walz delivered short presentations with a list of their goals. A dozen volunteers signed up for dates they could volunteer to help in the classroom, playground, with a project or over lunch in the upcoming weeks.

Steve Rusnock and son Tommy, a first grader at Smith Elementary, attended pizza night. “I am most excited about learning what the kids do all day long. We ask for two important things each day at dinner, but we miss all the stuff that fills their day.”

Asked how his son, Tommy, feels about the program and having him at the school, he answered, “The first day Tommy got the letter, it was all he could talk about. ‘Dad’s gonna come to my school. Me and Dad get to go have pizza and be a part of the Watch D.O.G.S.’”

The next event, a ‘Dads and Doughnuts’ event, will take place sometime in April with the goal to incorporate one to two Watch D.O.G.S. into the school each week throughout the remainder of the school year.

Principal Edwards and Justin Walz will continue to promote the Watch D.O.G.S. group in the school, with regular updates on coming events. Interested in volunteering through this program? Contact: Justin Walz at [email protected] at (517) 812-7444 or Brad Edwards at 517-851-7735.

Parent Coordinator, Justin Walz with Watch DOGS Kids

After the event, ‘dads’ line up to sign up and show up as a Watch DOG

Principal Brad Edwards gives a short presentation of the program.

Nearly 50 ‘dads’ showed up, with nearly 50 students with them.