Goodrich-It’s Tuesday afternoon and Troy Hutchison rests for just a moment in a small hallway chair at Reid Elementary School.
He’s exhausted and for good reason.
Over the past six hours, Hutchison, 55, has played in the snow, ate lunch and assisted with the education of about 200 active school children under the age of 8.
‘The kids eyes get big and they just light up when they see me,? he said. ‘They show me what they make, want to sit by me in class, and the snow was cold, but a lot of fun on the playground. I helped with math and work stations in the classroom. Some comment, ‘I hope my dad comes to school.?? Hutchison, the father of 5-year-old twins Peyton and Avery, who attend Reid Elementary School, is just one of about 40 fathers, grandfathers, uncles, and other father-figures who volunteer for at least one day earning the title of Watch D.O.G..S.
Watch D.O.G.S, or Dads Of Great Students, is an innovative father involvement, educational initiative programe of the National Center For Fathering. The Watch D.O.G..S. began in 1998 in a small school in Springdale, Ark. and has since grown into a national recognized program. Today more than 5,148 schools in 47 states plus DC participate in the program. As a result hundreds of thousands of fathers and father figures come into school classrooms and hallways across the country, creating millions of hours of ‘in school? volunteer time.
Beth Millerschin, Reid Elementary School prinicpal, emphasized two primary goals established by D.O.G..S. ‘providing positive male role models for the students, in addition to extra sets of eyes and ears in the school.
‘We had more than 30 dads, grandfathers and other males figures come to the training class at the school,? she said. ‘We just don’t have a lot of male teachers at the kindergarten and first grade levels. There’s a lot of hype and excitement around school when the Watch D.O.G..S come in. It’s a great opportunity for everyone, it’s really a win-win situation.?
Dan Keller, school board member and father of 6-year-old Brody who attends Reid Elementary School, will participate in D.O.G..S. the first week of March.
‘I’m eager to spend the day at Reid,? said Keller. ‘Not enough dads feel like they get involved with the schools like the moms do. The D.O.G..S program pulls the dads in and provides good role models. It shows that dads can and want to participate, too.?