Dads Go Back to School as Role Models for All Students

For some kids, 7:30 a.m. is just too early. But a group of dads who volunteer at Sanders Corner Elementary School in Ashburn, Va., try to make those students feel like superstars.

It’s part of a new program at the school called Watch D.O.G.S., which stands for Dads of Great Students. Fathers take the day off to be a part of the learning process.

“Lots of our children don’t necessarily have a man in their life full time," Sanders Corner Principal Kathleen Hwang said. "Important to see what a professional man looks like and acts like and how they can respond to them and work with them.”

The national program started in 1998 after two middle school students went on a shooting rampage at a school in Jonesboro, Ark., killing four classmates and a teacher. It’s now grown to more than 2,000 schools participating in 40 states.

Parent Elmo Green volunteers to run the program at Sanders Corner.

“The moms volunteer all the time with the parties and the PTA and things like that, but this is a vehicle for the dads to actually take a whole day off and make the same commitment as the moms do,” he said.

“It’s really fun," fifth-grader Lucas Memier said. "I like my dad here. Usually, he doesn’tget to come here.”

In the first year of the program the goal is to have at least one father in the classroom each day of the school year. That's 180 days, and so far, about 90 fathers have signed up. The school is confident more fathers will sign up soon.

The close interaction has become an eye-opening experience for many of the fathers.

“My dad doesn’t spend that much time with me, especially on school nights, so I’m like, Wow, this is really an honor,” said Elmo Green's son, fifth-grader Myles.

“It’s kind of a check to make sure that I am going to be spending enough time with him," Green said. "I do I pick him up after school, I help him with his homework, I put him to bed, so I’m there, but then it makes me think about the quality of time I’m spending with him."

Quality time to ensure all children feel loved and safe.