Watch D.O.G.S.

Last month I took the whole friday off to be part of the WATCH D.O.G.S. program at Desiree and Jessica's school.
Our day started out in the morning with me driving them to school. They think it is cool to arrive at school in a car before their bus arrives. Upon arrival we went to the cafeteria where I noticed that almost the entire school student body was there! Apparently the students cannot go to their classrooms until a certain time. Our next stop was to the front office to check in with the principal. I was greeted and briefed on the rules and guidelines of the program. Everyone there in the office seemed genuinely happy that I was there. The principal even told me that I was one of the first dads to be there for the entire day!
We decided that I would split up the day between Jessica and Desiree so Jessica and I headed to her classroom. I grabbed a chair and sat beside her. I don't remember the chairs being that small when I was in school!! What impressed me about her class is that all the kids were in their place doing their work...all without making a single sound! At 8am the bell rang and was followed by the morning intercom address by the principal welcoming the students to another day at school. Then they were led through the Pledge of Allegiance and a couple other creeds by randomly chosen students I assume. I was introduced over the intercom as a special guest and parent of Jessica and Desiree. One of the kids in Jessica's class told her that she was famous! Gym time came pretty fast and we headed to the gym for some bowling. They will be going to a real bowling alley sometime soon so they were being taught the rules and etiquette for the game. I joined in on the fun but realized that I didn't have to launch the ball as hard because it wasn't as heavy as the real ones. After morning gym we headed back to the classroom. When we got back her teacher told me that they were making popcorn in the cafeteria and if I would like to help. Wow, that was a lot of popcorn to pop and bag up! It was fun though because every once in a while i would snack on the fresh popcorn. After that we distributed the popcorn to all the kids. Wow, talk about a rush of kids! Desiree stood beside me till I was done and we went out to recess. Out there I could see that the kids were wondering who I was and little by little I started to get a crowd. When the whistle was blown we all had to line up in single file according to classroom so we could go to lunch. When parents or grandparents come to the kid's school they can eat in a special area off to the side in the cafeteria. We had 5 people around a tiny table but it was ok. The lunch ladies gave me a 'big boy' meal which means 2 hot dogs.
After Desiree's lunch I met up with Jessica and went to her recess and then lunch again!
I was stuffed as a turkey on Thanksgiving after that. My final stop was in Desiree's class. Her teacher Mrs. White let me lead the class in a rousing game of agricultural bingo. Yay!
All in all, it was a fun and very fulfilling experience and I hope to do it again soon~!


WATCH D.O.G.S.® (Dads Of Great Students) is the safe school initiative of the National Center for Fathering that involves fathers and father figures to help create a more safe and secure learning environment in our nation's schools.

Who are WatchDOGS? Fathers, grandfathers, step-fathers, uncles, and other father figures who volunteer to serve at least one day each year in a variety of school activities as assigned by the school principal or other administrator.

I'd encourage any parent or grandparent to volunteer at their kid's school.