Archive for Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Lawrence schools program puts dads in the classroom
Some local elementary schools have gone to the dogs - watch dogs, that is.
October 15, 2008
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Program brings dads, students together
The program Watch DOGS (dads of great students) puts fathers in elementary schools to monitor goings-on and spend time with kids. Enlarge video
John Brierly, father of Langston Hughes third-grader Maggie Brierly, left, and participant in Langston Hughes' Watch D.O.G.S (Dads of Great Students) program, talks around the lunch table with his daughter, her classmate Isabelle Royce, right, and others Wednesday in the school cafeteria. The Watch D.O.G.S. program, which is in its third year at Langston Hughes, involves fathers in the classroom and other daily happenings at school to assist with school work and to help create a safer environment.
Every dog has his day and Wednesday was John Brierly's day. He volunteered for Watch D.O.G.S., Dads of Great Students, at Langston Hughes School.
The program gets dads in the classroom to help with anything teachers might need.
"You monitor the hallways and the grounds," Brierly said. "You get to go to recess with the kids, which is fun. The best part is you get to eat in the cafeteria with the kids."
Brierly has two children: Andrew, a kindergartner, and Maggie, a 3rd grader.
Andrew thinks it's "awesome" that his dad helps out because "I get to see him all day."
Sister Maggie agrees. "It's fun to see him. He helps out," she said.
Teachers also find the extra set of eyes, ears and hands to be a big help.
"They really just help in any way they can when they are in the classroom for that time period," said Jennifer Catlin, a 4th grade teacher. "The kids are so excited about it and they love having their dads here. They're so proud and the dads really enjoy it."
The Gilliland kids saw their dad in action on Monday. Darby, a 4th grader, was a little concerned about the potential embarrassment.
"I imagined him walking into the room and being like, 'Hey, everybody! I'm the Watch Dog today!'" she said.
But older brother Carson, a 6th grader, liked having their dad around.
"He got to meet some of my friends, see what I do during the school day and see that I get good grades and even ate lunch with me," he said.
Every day for the entire school year a different Watch D.O.G.S. volunteer comes for the day to help with homework, pass out books and do whatever teachers need to get through the day.
"It's nice to know we have that parent support and we have so many dads that want to sign up," Catlin said.
Plus, the dads get to see what their kids are doing through the school day.
"You'd think it's a very easy day but it's really a long, kind of grueling day, especially at that age," Brierly said.
Catlin said she thinks dads like to see what goes on in their kids' daily school lives.
"I just don't think they have a real understanding of how busy the day is and how much the kids do while they're here, so it's fun for them," she said.
And while the kids like having dads around, it's a little strange to have their own father around.
"It's kind of weird walking down the hall and being like, 'Hey, Dad,' " Darby said.
Watch D.O.G.S. also make the rounds at Sunset Hill and Deerfield Schools.
The program is a safe school initiative of the National Center for Fathering.
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15 October 2008
at 3:37 p.m.
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shannanturner1 (Anonymous) says…
I think all the schools should adopt this program! How wonderful that their are dads stepping up and following through with their responsibility of being a parent. I myself say KUDOS to the dads!
15 October 2008
at 4:24 p.m.
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OldEnuf2BYurDad (Anonymous) says…
Totally kick-ass.
15 October 2008
at 5:33 p.m.
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Kookamooka (Anonymous) says…
My husband gets a big kick out of it. I think its great for anyone who volunteers to see how hard these teachers really work. It's an eye opener. Then, when the district needs money for teacher's salaries, people can appreciate the work that goes into growing great Americans!
15 October 2008
at 5:52 p.m.
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Pogo (Anonymous) says…
Calling Dad's “dogs” is offensive. It's hate speak.
15 October 2008
at 5:58 p.m.
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denak (Anonymous) says…
I agree with the majority of posters. I think this is really cool! One of the best indicators of a child's success in school is how involved his or her parent(s) is/are in his or her schooling.(lol that is an awkward sentence.) So, to have these parents involved is great. And the fact that they are male is an added bonus. Most of the time, it is the mother that volunteers so having dad around is a novel idea.
Good job Langston Hughes and I hope the other schools do this too.
Dena
15 October 2008
at 6:08 p.m.
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OnlyLawrenceRepublican (Anonymous) says…
I also agree it's a good program. However, when I went to the kickoff meeting last year, I thought the premise that dad's don't do enough in their kids' schools was a little demeaning. I understand that is not the primary selling point, but it was the issue they focused on. I remember them saying, “This may be the only time that you step foot in your child's school.” I thought that was ridiculous. That's my only criticism though.
15 October 2008
at 6:24 p.m.
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MrMister (Anonymous) says…
The “D.O.G.S.” is an akronym for Dads Of Great Students. There is nothing offensive about it in any way. I participated four times last in the last two years my son was at Deerfield. You don't just spend time in your own child's room, They put together a schedule that places you in at least one class in every grade level as well as lunchroom duty and keeping an eye out at arrival and dismissal times. Its really neat to see the different teaching styles in action. especially if you have younger kids. You can get an idea of which teachers you like and what your child learns while at school.
15 October 2008
at 6:28 p.m.
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hs_reader (Anonymous) says…
“I also agree it's a good program. However, when I went to the kickoff meeting last year, I thought the premise that dad's don't do enough in their kids' schools was a little demeaning. I understand that is not the primary selling point, but it was the issue they focused on. I remember them saying, “This may be the only time that you step foot in your child's school.” I thought that was ridiculous. That's my only criticism though.”
That does sound ridiculous. My dad helped out in my sister's kindergarten class (10 yrs ago) without any special programs or prompting. I think he was the only dad that did it, too.
15 October 2008
at 6:29 p.m.
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commuter (Anonymous) says…
Great idea. I have attended this program for the last two years at Deerfield. I don't know how long Langston Hughes has been doing the program.
15 October 2008
at 8:10 p.m.
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haybail (Anonymous) says…
What they don't mention is that the schools do no background check on any of the dads. None what-so-ever.
Sounds safe to me.
15 October 2008
at 8:25 p.m.
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denak (Anonymous) says…
“…..What they don't mention is that the schools do no background check on any of the dads. None what-so-ever….”
Do they do background checks on the mothers? Just because someone is male and around children doesn't make him a sexual predator.
Either do background checks on both….which would be time consuming and expensive…..or don't do them at all.
….”This may be the only time that you step foot in your child's school……”
I have heard a lot of teachers say that the only time they see some parents is the first day of kindergarten and graduation day from high school. I think that is a little bit of an exaggeration but there are a lot of parents who are not involved with their children's education. They don't go to PTA meets, to Parent Teacher Conferences or school plays.
And even though I know some people are going to throw stones at me for saying this, if you have a two parent family, more than likely it is the Mom who is involved. I rarely see fathers at the parties or on field trips or at conferences. Not trying to pick on men but usually men aren't all that involved..not neccessarily because they don't want to but because of work commitments and because society expects the mother..even if she works..to be there because if she isn't she is a bad mom. If the dad isn't there, well that is ok because he's the man and he has to work.
Dena
15 October 2008
at 9:33 p.m.
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eb (Anonymous) says…
I agree- I think background checks would not be necessary for this program. I also think it's sad that some people think any parent who steps foot in the school to help out needs to have a background check. Have a little faith in parents. Good job Lawrence dads!