Positive Role Models, Pizza and Improved Achievement What’s not to like?

WatchD.O.G.S. (Dads of Great Students)

Implementing a WatchDOG program at your school Washington School Counseling Association February 27, 2009

Target Audience Elementary Counselors Middle/Junior High School Counselors Counselor Educators/Students Anyone who likes pizza

Who are we? Terry Coleman, Counselor David Jones, Principal Cedar Wood Elementary School Everett Public Schools

Session Goals Leave with the following beliefs: “I can make a positive change in the culture of my school and community.” “I can make a positive change in the culture of my school and community.” “I can help dispel many of the incorrect stereotypes or lack of knowledge of what goes on in a school.” “I can help dispel many of the incorrect stereotypes or lack of knowledge of what goes on in a school.” “I can help many parents gain confidence and skills for supporting their child’s learning at home.” “I can help many parents gain confidence and skills for supporting their child’s learning at home.”

Session Goals Leave with the following skills: “I can describe this program to others in just a few sentences.” “I can describe this program to others in just a few sentences.” “I can describe the benefits this program will bring to my school.” “I can describe the benefits this program will bring to my school.” “I know what to do to get this program going at my site.” “I know what to do to get this program going at my site.”

Session Goals Leave with the following document: “I have a plan that will effectively start a WatchDOG program at my school—these are not session materials that I will throw away when I get home.” “I have a plan that will effectively start a WatchDOG program at my school—these are not session materials that I will throw away when I get home.”

Just what is WatchDOGS? A Safe School program from the National Center for Fathering A Safe School program from the National Center for Fathering Invites significant male role models to school Invites significant male role models to school Dads volunteer one day a year to support the school Dads volunteer one day a year to support the school –Help with buses –Walk the halls and grounds –Assist in classrooms –Eat lunch with their student, join recess

Just What Is WatchDOGS? A national partner with the PTA M.O.R.E. (Men Organized to Raise Engagement) program A national partner with the PTA M.O.R.E. (Men Organized to Raise Engagement) program Sponsored by J.B. Hunt and Allstate Insurance Sponsored by J.B. Hunt and Allstate Insurance

Do students need male models? According to a Northeastern University economist, more than half of all babies born to women under 30 (50.4%) were born out of wedlock in 2006—the first time that group has ever been a majority. (In 1960, only 6% of births to young women were out of wedlock.)

Does WatchDOGS Matter? Dads provide a sense of safety to a school campus Dads provide a sense of safety to a school campus Dads serve as additional volunteers to assist with learning Dads serve as additional volunteers to assist with learning By working as a teaching assistant, dads gain skills for assisting at home with their own child’s schoolwork By working as a teaching assistant, dads gain skills for assisting at home with their own child’s schoolwork Dads see firsthand what constitutes ‘normal’ behavior and effort among their child’s peers Dads see firsthand what constitutes ‘normal’ behavior and effort among their child’s peers

Does WatchDOGS Matter? 79% of principals surveyed strongly agreed or agreed that "The WatchDOGS program has made a significant contribution to the safety of our school.“ 79% of principals surveyed strongly agreed or agreed that "The WatchDOGS program has made a significant contribution to the safety of our school.“

Does WatchDOGS Matter? 96% of dads who completed the End-of- Day Survey strongly agreed or agreed that their "experience as a WatchDOGS volunteer was rewarding" and they would "want to do something like this again." 96% of dads who completed the End-of- Day Survey strongly agreed or agreed that their "experience as a WatchDOGS volunteer was rewarding" and they would "want to do something like this again."

What are your school’s un-met needs? Low Need High Need

Increase Campus Safety What are your school’s un-met needs? Low Need High Need

Increase Classroom Support What are your school’s un-met needs? Low Need High Need

Increase Positive Male Role Models What are your school’s un-met needs? Low Need High Need

What do you know about WatchDOGS? Describe the program in a few sentences Describe some of the benefits

Jim Moore and WatchDOGS Jim’s a concerned father who responded to the 1998 middle-school shooting in Jonesboro, AR Jim’s a concerned father who responded to the 1998 middle-school shooting in Jonesboro, AR Moore’s goal: help prevent violence at his children’s school or at any school Moore’s goal: help prevent violence at his children’s school or at any school First program: George Elementary in Springdale, AR First program: George Elementary in Springdale, AR Today, more than 760 programs in 33 states Today, more than 760 programs in 33 states

From Idea to Program Assemble the Key Players Assemble the Key Players –Top Dog (father who will champion and coordinate the program within the parent community) –School Administration (essential to success) –Staff member responsible for coordinating –Funding source (PTA, etc.) for Kickoff

Support from Fathers.com Training Conference Call Training Conference Call WatchDOG support kit ($300) WatchDOG support kit ($300) –DVD and CD with forms, letters, lists –Shirts –Name Tags –Stickers, pencils, bookmarks, certificates Vests Vests Parking Sign Parking Sign

Introduce the program to staff Explain the program to teaching staff Explain the program to teaching staff Discuss how to best prepare for and use volunteers to support learning Discuss how to best prepare for and use volunteers to support learning Work with bus, lunch and recess staff Work with bus, lunch and recess staff

What Support is Available? Other Top Dogs Other Top Dogs Local PTA or community business Local PTA or community business Service Clubs: Rotary, Kiwanis, Lions, etc. Service Clubs: Rotary, Kiwanis, Lions, etc. Cedar Wood Elementary Cedar Wood Elementary

Before the Pizza Night Arrange for 2-3 dads to try it out Arrange for 2-3 dads to try it out –Complete a dry run of the program at school –Speak with fathers during Kick Off Establish system to process the many volunteer approval forms Establish system to process the many volunteer approval forms Set up on-line calendar and data entry Set up on-line calendar and data entry

Kick Off Event Top Dog assembles committee Top Dog assembles committee Support from Top Dogs at other schools Support from Top Dogs at other schools

Kick Off Event Top Dog assembles committee Top Dog assembles committee Support from Top Dogs at other schools Support from Top Dogs at other schools Invitations sent to all families Invitations sent to all families Pizza -- donated or sponsored Pizza -- donated or sponsored

Kick Off Event Top Dog assembles committee Top Dog assembles committee Support from Top Dogs at other schools Support from Top Dogs at other schools Invitations sent to all families Invitations sent to all families Pizza -- donated or sponsored Pizza -- donated or sponsored Activity for students Activity for students DVD and testimonials from dry run DVD and testimonials from dry run Volunteer forms Volunteer forms Huge wall calendar Huge wall calendar

Running the Program Staff coordinator creates individual schedules Staff coordinator creates individual schedules Staff member takes photos, posts on bulletin board Staff member takes photos, posts on bulletin board Set up computer for on-line end of day survey Set up computer for on-line end of day survey

A Typical Day Orientation for dad when he arrives Orientation for dad when he arrives Vest, nametag, stickers/pencils Vest, nametag, stickers/pencils At buses to welcome students to school At buses to welcome students to school Photo of dad and his children Photo of dad and his children Volunteer in six classrooms Volunteer in six classrooms Lunch and recess with own child’s class Lunch and recess with own child’s class End of day on-line survey End of day on-line survey Help at buses, turn in vest and nametag Help at buses, turn in vest and nametag

In first 90 days of program 75 dads have participated 75 dads have participated Over 550 hours of additional volunteer time Over 550 hours of additional volunteer time Every teacher has participated Every teacher has participated Dads asking to return second or third time Dads asking to return second or third time

“I spent the first part of the day feeling like a fish out of water... it is amazing to me all of the activity that occurs in a school on a regular day.” “I spent the first part of the day feeling like a fish out of water... it is amazing to me all of the activity that occurs in a school on a regular day.”

“Even with just one day I feel much more connected to the school.”

“I’m exhausted. I have such a new respect for the work that teachers do every day at school.”

“ Something I probably never would have been motivated or able to do on my own” “ Something I probably never would have been motivated or able to do on my own”

Staff Comments “I think it is very important for the students to see dads involved at school.” “I think it is very important for the students to see dads involved at school.” “It shows the students the value this dad is placing on school if he comes for the day and helps.” “It shows the students the value this dad is placing on school if he comes for the day and helps.”

Staff Comments “ With WatchDOGS my struggling students get one-on-one instruction.” “ With WatchDOGS my struggling students get one-on-one instruction.” “It is very motivating for students, particularly those whose dads may not have shown this kind of interest at home.” “It is very motivating for students, particularly those whose dads may not have shown this kind of interest at home.”

Issues We Have Encountered Dress Code Dress Code Tobacco use Tobacco use Showing up unexpectedly Showing up unexpectedly School coordinator out ill School coordinator out ill Disappearing coffee in lounge Disappearing coffee in lounge

Issues you might encounter

What’s in your packet? Typical Daily Schedule Tips for a Successful Day as a WatchDOG February to scheduled WatchDOGS How will WatchDOGS support education and safety at Cedar Wood? WatchDOGS Registration Form for Cedar Wood My Plan to Implement WatchDOGS

So, Make a Plan

Session Goals Leave with the following beliefs: “I can make a positive change in the culture of my school and community.” “I can make a positive change in the culture of my school and community.” “I can help dispel many of the incorrect stereotypes or lack of knowledge of what goes on in a school.” “I can help dispel many of the incorrect stereotypes or lack of knowledge of what goes on in a school.” “I can help many parents gain confidence and skills for supporting their child’s learning at home.” “I can help many parents gain confidence and skills for supporting their child’s learning at home.”

Session Goals Leave with the following skills: “I can describe this program to others in just a few sentences.” “I can describe this program to others in just a few sentences.” “I can describe the benefits this program will bring to my school.” “I can describe the benefits this program will bring to my school.” “I know what to do to get this program going at my site.” “I know what to do to get this program going at my site.”

Session Goals Leave with the following document: “I have a plan that will effectively start a WatchDOG program at my school—these are not session materials that I will throw away when I get home.” “I have a plan that will effectively start a WatchDOG program at my school—these are not session materials that I will throw away when I get home.”