What is Watch D.O.G.S.?

Watch D.O.G.S. ® (Dads Of Great Students) is an innovative father involvement, educational initiative of the National Center For Fathering. It 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 our nation’s classrooms and hallways. Watch D.O.G.S. ® has created millions of “in school” volunteer hours and continues to have a tremendously positive impact on the educational process. Today more than 5,348 schools in 47 states plus DC participate in Watch D.O.G.S.  Currently, there are WATCH D.O.G.S. programs in China, Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Barbados.  En Español

   What's Involved?       Getting Started           FAQs        About D.O.G.S.

What's Involved

• Spend a day at school, a morning or afternoon, or even just a lunch and recess time.  You decide how many days you can commit to and which days work best for you.
• Wear the WatchDOGS uniform "T-shirt", visit the classroom, help out in the library, monitor lunch and recess, offer help in the office, work on a project, help with Passport Check Day... There are lots of opportunities to help out at school.

Getting Started - 3 Easy Steps

1. Contact Puesta del Sol's WatchDOGS coordinator, Tyler Parris, at watchdogs@puestadelsolpta.org.
2. NEW PROCESS!  All volunteers must be approved by the Bellevue School District. REGISTER AS A VOLUNTEER with the Bellevue School District. 
3. Check out our resources page for information on what to do when you arrive at school the first time.

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FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

I can't come every month.  Is that okay?

• WatchDOGS can volunteer as often or as little as they like, from a half-day to a full-day once a week, once a month or once a school year, we just want dads at school.

I heard that I can't volunteer in the classroom because I don't speak Spanish.  What's the deal?

• While participation in the classroom is more challenging in a school with a Spanish Immersion Program, the greatest success for helping in a student's classroom comes from contacting the student's teacher 2-3 weeks prior to the volunteer day.  This gives the teacher ample time to fit you into the class schedule.  Please consider too that there are so many other ways to help...see below.

Should I turn my cellular phone off?  Can I check email while I'm volunteering at the school?

• Cellular phones, tablets, and other every other form of electronic leash can cause a disruption in class as well as taking your attention away from the students.  Don’t worry you will have several opportunities to check your voicemail and messages throughout the day.

Why do I need to wear a WatchDOG T-shirt?

• WatchDOGS wear the official T-shirts for two reasons.  First, this apparel separates us from other visitors who may be in the school.  Second, to the children, staff, and other parents it establishes you as an official overseeing the children.

What should I expect when I am a WatchDOG?

• The Puesta del Sol Students and Staff will be welcoming and excited to see you.  At the WatchDOGS station in the back resource room behind the front desk, you will find WatchDOGS uniforms (T-shirts) and name tags (DOG Tag) in the white plastic, three-drawer WatchDOGS cabinet.  Also in this WatchDOG area you will find postings of class schedules to help you keep busy and on track.  You can leave any backpack, lunch bag, coat, etc. at the WatchDOG cabinet throughout the day (there are coat hooks in this area for your use).  Regarding lunch, you may find that it is best to bring a lunch to have with your student(s) in the lunch room.  Alternatively, you may purchase a school lunch, in which case you will need to remember to bring a few dollars to school.  At the end of the day, please return your used WatchDOG T-shirt to the bottom drawer of the WatchDOG cabinet.
• Here's a list with more about your role, including some Dos and Don'ts.
• Here's a typical daily schedule of a WatchDOG.

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More About D.O.G.S. (including the video!)

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