Welcome to Arrowhead’s Watch D.O.G. DADS Informational PIZZA Night

1) To provide positive male role models for the students, WATCH D.O.G.S. ® (Dads Of Great Students) is an innovative father involvement, educational initiative of the National Center For Fathering. There are 2 primary goals of the WATCH D.O.G.S. ® program: 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.  

Background Information WATCH D.O.G.S.® began in 1998 in a single school in Springdale, Arkansas and has since grown into a nationally 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. Program Benefits Students gain positive male role models. Schools gain an extra set of eyes and ears. The presence of a father or father figure will provide an additional deterrent to bullying, enhance a sense of security in the building, and will help to create an environment conducive to learning. Fathers get a glimpse of their students’ everyday world and learn about the increasingly complex challenges and decisions today’s youth are facing. As a result, they can learn to relate better to their student and hopefully connect with them. Fathers gain a greater awareness of the positive impact they can have on their student’s life in three critical areas including: academic performance, self-esteem, social behavior. Due to budget shortfalls and cutbacks, often teachers are presented with larger classrooms each year. The Watch D.O.G.S. volunteers provide real and important help for the teachers and the students.

Who are Watch D.O.G.S (Dads Of Great Students)?   Watch D.O.G.S. 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, Watch D.O.G.S 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 Watch D.O.G.S. dramatically reduces reports of bullying. On the day of their participation, Watch D.O.G.S 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 D.O.G.S.

Program Recognition The WATCH D.O.G.S.® 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 P.F.I.E. (Partnership For Family Involvement In Education) and the Department’s Safe School Summit. The WATCH D.O.G.S.® program is a founding member of National PTA’s M.O.R.E. Alliance (Men Organized to Raise Engagement). WATCH D.O.G.S. ® was 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. Also, the program has been recognized on the floor of 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) WATCH D.O.G.S. ® has been endorsed by the President’s Advisory Council and included in the March 2010 report to the President.   For more information, visit our website at www.fathers.com/watchdogs, email watchdogs@fathers.com or call us at 1-888-540-DOGS(3647) to speak with a Program Developer.

If you are interested, please let us know! We are seeking…. TOP DOG Coordinator- A volunteer to lead the school’s Watch D.O.G.S. program and work the school representatives and “Top Dog” Team. Potential Roles and Responsibilities Lead “Top Dog” Team Participate in conference call training Partner with school to launch and maintain program Assist in ordering Watch D.O.G.S. resources If you are interested, please let us know!

Tentative Watch D.O.G.S. Schedule SAMPLE(4th grade) Time Activity 8:30 Arrival and check in with child. Have pic taken for Wall for Fame 8:55-9:00 Greet students at bus loop 9:05-9:10 Morning Announcements (main office) 9:15-10:00 Attend specials with your child’s class 10:05-11:00 Spend time in your child’s classroom 11:05-12:00 Attend student lunches 12:00-12:35 Attend student lunches OR recess 12:35-1:05 Attend 4th grade recess 1:05-1:20 Break 1:20-1:40 2nd Grade Recess (back playground) 1:45-2:30 Classroom Visit- location TBD 2:35- 3:15 Attend Physical Education class with 2nd Grade OR Classroom Visit- location TBD 3:15 Report to office to complete online survey 3:30 Afternoon Announcements 3:30-3:40 Dismissal/Assist at front bus loop

Tentative Watch D.O.G.S. Schedule Please wear Watch D.O.G .S.t-shirt and visitor pass at all times when volunteering.   During lunch feel free to eat lunch with your child or consider sitting with a student who looks like they may a buddy. If possible, please offer to assist lunch teachers with cleaning tables, etc. During recess please consider: joining a game with a group of students, helping students referee a game or talking with a student who looks like they may need a buddy.

If you are interested in becoming a Watch D. O. G. S If you are interested in becoming a Watch D.O.G.S. volunteer, you MUST complete the following 4 steps #1 Volunteer Registration Form Fill out the volunteer registration form found on the Methacton School District Website (www.methacton.org) On the homepage under “Site Shortcuts” click on “Volunteering in Methacton. Please return the form to the Arrowhead Office. Please do this at the same time you mail your clearance requests. Include the Volunteer Disclosure Form so that we know you are in the process of receiving your clearances.

#2 TB Screening Contact the school nurse (610-489-5000 ext. 25040) to make arrangements for a TB screening. You may have the TB test done by the school nurse for free or have a TB test done by your family physician at your own cost. In either case, it is your responsibility to provide proof of the TB screening to the District Administration Office. (Cannot be older than one year from the date you submit to our office from the date you submit to our office).

#3 Complete Act 34 – Criminal History Report Criminal History reports can be obtained electronically from the Pennsylvania State Police at https://epatch.state.pa.us Click on the “Submit a New Record Check.” You will be required to pay a $10.00 fee using a debit or credit card. Print out a receipt/record and send a copy to the District Office (Farina Education Center, 1001 Kriebel Mill Road, Eagleville, PA 19403) Do NOT mail the original clearances to the district office; they will not be returned.

#4 Complete ACT 151 Child Abuse Clearance The PA Child Abuse History Clearance Form (CY113) may be downloaded from the Department of Public Welfare website (www.dpw.state.pa.us) Please complete the form and mail to Childline and Abuse Registry, Department of Public, P.O. Box 8170, Harrisburg, PA 17105-8170. The Child Abuse History Clearance requires payment of $10.00 payable to the “Department of Public Welfare” in the form of a certified check or money order.

When you receive all paperwork: 1) registration form, 2) clearances, and 3) TB test results; please bring in all documentation to the Arrowhead office. We will make copies of all documentation for our office. Additionally, we will send copies to the Methacton District Office. Once we have all the approved documentation and registration, you will be ready to volunteer in our schools. Call 610-489-5000 ext. 15007 if you have any questions.

Watch D.O.G.S. Do’s Wear your Watch D.O.G.S. t-shirt to school Be friendly and encouraging Monitor hallways and school grounds Assist in assigned areas Eat lunch WITH students Play or referee during recess Respect and maintain student confidentiality Be a HERO for the day!

Watch D.O.G.S. Don’ts Be alone or unsupervised with students Go into student restrooms Discuss politics or religion with students Share your Watch D.O.G.S. t-shirt with someone who is not an approved volunteer Engage in any conduct that brings disrespect to self or students. Try to handle a situation that you are unsure about or uncomfortable with (seek support from staff) Issue student consequences or discipline

Watch D.O.G.S. For more information…. ENJOY THE VIDEO

QUESTIONS?

Thank You… For attending this important evening and for expressing your interest in supporting the Watch D.O.G.S. program!