Collins Middle School in the Oak Hill area Fayette County, West Virginia is reaching out to Dads through the WATCH D.O.G.S program! WATCH D.O.G.S. (Dads of Great Students) is the father involvement initiative of the National Center for Fathering that organizes fathers and father figures in order to provide positive male role models for the students and to enhance school security.
When looking at current school data, the new principal Robert Keaton noticed that the school and its students were in need of more support from the parents—particularly fathers. Keaton, who was eager to use existing data trends to make valuable changes at the school, knew he had to do something and organized a ‘Head of Household’ night with the help of the school’s guidance counselors. On November 20, 2013, over 90 fathers (and one mother) attended the ‘Head of Household’ Night that included a short program on the importance of parental support for student and school development, as well as pizza and beverages. Parents were also provided with the opportunity to sign up to serve as mentors and hall monitors to stay connected with their children.
As educators, we all know the importance of parental involvement and thus far, WATCH D.O.G.S has been a great way for the parents and school administrators at Collins Middle School to work together to support the students.
Congratulations to Collins Middle School for this great initiative!
For more information, please go to fathers.com
~Mike Evans, Edwards Ed Consultant