Calling all WatchDOGS!

Signups for the 2024-2025 Wolftrap WatchDOGS are now live! Click here to signup for WatchDOGS.

 

WatchD.O.G.S.® (Dads Of Great Students) is a national program that encourages father figures to take a more active role in our children's education experience spending a day volunteering in the classroom and around Wolftrap.


The primary goal of the WatchDOGS program is to provide positive male role models for students, demonstrating by their presence that education is important.

 

WatchDOGS volunteer for 1 day from 8am-1:15pm. WatchDOGS start the day by greeting students at dropoff and joining your student(s) on the Wolftrap Morning News. Throughout the day WatchDOGS will support teachers in their classrooms, each lunch with your student, monitor the hallways and oversee recess. 

 

While the national program is specifically targeted to men, any caregiver may participate in the program. However, given the overwhelming popularity of the program only 1 caregiver from each household may participate to ensure we can extend this opportunity to as many WatchDOGS as possible.

 

For any questions, please contact Brett Snyder at watchdogs@wolftrappta.org. 

 

    

 

    

Why is the WATCHDOGS program targeted to men?

  1. Men are underrepresented in education settings, specifically elementary schools. Students need positive male role models among the teachers, staff, and volunteers they see at school. 
  2. Although not every Wolftrap family has a father living in the household, most families have a father figure who can enjoy this opportunity. The Watch D.O.G.S. program is encouraging and clear that fathers, grandfathers, uncles, and close father figures are all welcome to participate with a student. 
  3. Male role models can positively impact a student’s life in 3 critical areas:
    1. academic performance
    2. self-esteem
    3. social behavior

While the national program is specifically targeted to men, any caregiver may participate in the program. However, given the overwhelming popularity of the program only 1 person from each household may participate.

Program Goals:

Our greatest consideration for all the programs supported at Wolftrap should be the value the program brings to students and faculty, more so than what the parents seek to gain by participating. Even though there are special perks given to the Watchdog volunteers, the students reap the most benefits from this special experience. This is particularly true for boy students, who have the opportunity to see a fun and valued additional male figure and look forward to interacting with them.

  1. To provide positive male role models for the students, demonstrating by their presence that education is important.
  2. To increase the number of male role models in schools where men are underrepresented.
  3. To provide extra sets of eyes and ears to enhance school security and reduce bullying.

Program Benefits: 

  • By taking time to come to campus and serve the students and teachers, father figures demonstrate that education is important. 
  • Schools receive additional support in areas of need (helping during lunch, extra eyes at the playground, extra eyes looking for hazards on school property)
  • Reported decrease in bullying when Watch D.O.G.S are present. 
  • Increased engagement of fathers and father figures in their children’s lives.
  • Increased awareness of fathers about the increasingly complex challenges and decisions today’s youth are facing. Through participating, fathers can see how their students interact with friends and teachers and hopefully help them in new and creative ways.
  • A male role model can positively impact a student’s life in three critical areas: academic performance, self-esteem, social behavior.

Sponsorship and Continued Support:

Our Watch D.O.G.S. "uniform" and program sponsor is the Tim Pierson Home Sales Team. Their generous donation is funding the WatchDOGS Program @ 100% for another year!