Dads step up

at Mabel School
By Melanie Davis

Educators at Mabel Elementary hope they are barking up the right tree with a national program that involves fathers and father-figures in the lives of students.

School counselor Christy Welch read about the Watch DOGS (Dads of Great Students) program in a publication from another school and presented the idea to Mabel principal Mark Hagaman.

Watch DOGS began in Arkansas in 1998 following a deadly school shooting.

James Moore, a concerned father, started Watch DOGS in the elementary school his children were attending.
The program is designed to provide schools with extra eyes and ears to prevent school violence, an opportunity for fathers to show support of education and provide positive male role models.

Students’ fathers, grandfathers, stepfathers, guardians and uncles attend school for an entire day and put on a Watch DOGS t-shirt to be recognizable and pick up a schedule.

In order to maintain school security, fathers are given a schedule of activities. It is guaranteed to involve one class the father’s child is attending and lunch with his student. Otherwise, the men patrol the halls, participating in classrooms or tutoring, and remain present in the playground during recess. An end-of-the-day survey provides school officials with feedback from the volunteers.

Mabel held an informational pizza party on Thursday with funding from the Parent Teacher Organization.
Approximately 80 fathers and students attended. Hagaman estimated the number of attendees to be nearly half of the school’s 200 students’ fathers.

“We get a lot of mom volunteers, but few dads,” Hagaman said.

“This program is engaging fathers in a fun way, as opposed to designing bulletin boards,” Welch added
The guest speaker, described by Welch as “the watchdog for Watauga County,” was Sheriff Len Hagaman. He complimented the fathers in attendance as already being watchdogs for their students because their presence showed care and attention.

“We are fortunate in the safety of our schools. This program will enhance that safety and make sure metal detectors are never needed in our area,” Sheriff Hagaman said. “Watch DOGS is a win-win situation. It is good for the dad, good for the student and good for the school.”

Boone Police officer, and Sheriff Hagaman’s son, Len Hagaman III also addressed the potential volunteers. He read the story of athlete Derek Redmond, who in the 1992 Summer Olympics became injured during the 400 meter run. Redmond stood up and continued toward the finish line, limping. His father ran out of the stands and fought his way to his son’s side to help him finish the race. Officer Len Hagaman said, “Sometimes you have to get out of your comfort zone and reach out to your children.”

Following the presentation, the fathers in attendance were invited to sign up on a calendar for an upcoming school day. A line formed immediately, with some signing up for multiple days over the remaining months of the school calendar. The exact number of participants was not available at press time.

All school volunteers undergo a sex-offender screening and criminal background check, according to Mark Hagaman. He added that many employers would allow days off for family activities and the school can provide documentation for volunteers.

For more information on the program or to volunteer, contact Welch at (828) 297-2512.