Donuts with Dads engage positive male role models at Carson City school
Submitted by editor on Thu, 02/08/2018 - 12:01pm
One elementary school in Carson City helped engage positive male role models Thursday morning where more than 300 people attended “Donuts with Dads” at Al Seeliger Elementary. The effort was designed to get dads, uncles, grandparents and father-figures more involved in school and childhood learning.
Earlier this year, the school and several others in Carson City introduced the Watch D.O.G.S. (Dads of Great Students) program on their campus, which is designed to create volunteer opportunities for dads and father-figures. As the school year continues, teachers and administrators want more dads to volunteer for a day at the school.
“Last fall, when we first started the WatchDOG program, we had lots of dads volunteer,” said Rachael Armstrong, second grade teacher and chairperson family engagement committee at Seeliger Elementary. “Now, with the new year, we don’t have near as many signed up to help. That’s partly why we hosted this event today…to reenergize dads to remain engaged and continue to volunteer.”
Watch D.O.G.S. volunteer for the full school day where they may read and work on flash cards with students, play at recess, eat lunch with students, watch the school entrances and hallways, assist with traffic flow and any other assigned activities where they actively engage with not only their own students, but also other students. Many school principals report that the mere presence of a WatchDOG dramatically reduces reports of bullying.
The Family Foundation Fund reports that there are almost 17 million children (25 percent) nationwide living with their single mothers. They also report about 40 percent of the children who live in fatherless households haven't seen their dads in at least a year while 50 percent of children who don't live with their fathers have never stepped foot in their father's home.
Studies also have proven the significant importance positive male role models play in a child's development. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reported fatherless children are at a dramatically greater risk of drug and alcohol abuse and children of single-parent homes are more than twice as likely to commit suicide.
“Male role models make such a positive impact on children, especially those in early childhood development stages at elementary schools,” Armstrong continued. “Just having a presence and being there is more meaningful than most dads realize.”
Other internal surveys conducted by the national Watch D.O.G.S. program indicated the following key benefits:
Fathers get a glimpse of their students’ everyday world and learn about the increasingly complex challenges and decisions today’s youth are facing. As a result, they can learn to relate better to their student and hopefully connect with them.
Fathers gain a greater awareness of the positive impact they can have on their student’s life in three critical areas including: academic performance, self-esteem and social behavior.
Often teachers are presented with larger classrooms each year. Fathers and father figures (aka WatchDOGS) provide real and important help for the teachers and the students.
For information on how you can volunteer, please contact the main office at the specific school site in Carson City.
Bordewich Bray Elementary, 775-283-2400
Empire Elementary, 775-283-1100
Fremont Elementary, 775-283-1200
Fritsch Elementary, 775-283-1400
Mark Twain Elementary, 775-283-1000
Seeliger Elementary, 775-283-2200
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