About WATCH D.O.G.S.®

WATCH D.O.G.S.® (Dads Of Great Students) is a family and community engagement educational initiative. There are 2 primary goals of the WATCH D.O.G.S. program:

1. To provide positive male role models for the students, demonstrating by their presence that education is important.
2. To provide extra sets of eyes and ears to enhance school security and reduce bullying.
   
   

WATCH D.O.G.S.® began in 1998 in a single school in Springdale, Arkansas and has since grown into a nationally recognized program that has brought hundreds of thousands of fathers and father figures into the school classrooms and hallways across the country, creating millions of hours of “in school” volunteer time and having a tremendously positive impact on the educational process. Click here to learn more about the National WATCH D.O.G.S. program.

Tadlock WatchDOGS Benefits

• Tadlock students gain positive male role models. 
• Schools gain an extra set of eyes and ears. The presence of a father or father figure will provide an additional deterrent to bullying, enhance a sense of security in the building, and will help to create an environment conducive to learning. 
• 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, social behavior.
  

Who are WatchDOGS?

WatchDOGS are fathers, grandfathers, uncles, and other father-figures who volunteer for at least one day each year at an official WATCH D.O.G.S.® school. During the day, WatchDOGS 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 other students as well. Many school principals have reported that the mere presence of a WatchDOG dramatically reduces reports of bullying. 

On the day of their participation, WatchDOGS are given a brief review of their involvement and they wear an official WATCH D.O.G.S. t-shirt with a disposable ‘Dog Tag’ identifying them as WatchDOGS.

How do I become a Tadlock WatchDOG?

To become a WatchDOG, follow these 3 easy steps:

1. Be sure to complete your background check as soon as possible here: https://friscoisd.voly.org/
2. Click this link to go to our Tadlock WatchDOG invitation page on SignUp 
3. Enter your email address: (You will NOT need to register an account on SignUp)
4. Sign up! Choose your spots - SignUp will send you an automated confirmation and reminders. Easy! Note: SignUp does not share your email address with anyone.
5. Order your WATCH D.O.G.S. T-Shirts at least two weeks in advance (yellow or purple for high visibility). **WatchD.O.G.S are required to wear an official shirt during their day on campus**
6. Have fun!

How will you support education and safety at Tadlock?

• Wear the official t-shirt only at school while performing official WatchDOG duties.
• Encourage students with lots of smiles, high fives, etc.
• Help with traffic flow of vehicles and students at arrival and dismissal times
• Monitor hallways and entrances
• Assist at lunch & recess
• Read with classes or tutor small groups of students
• Actively and positively engage with your student and others
• Speak to classes about the importance of education and career choices
• Be available to mentor students
• Smile and be a hero for a day!

WATCH D.O.G volunteers should NOT:

• Enter student restrooms
• Be alone or unsupervised with students
• Espouse political or religious beliefs to students
• Sell or give their official WatchDOGS t-shirt to someone who is not an approved volunteer 
• Wear the official WatchDOGS t-shirt anywhere except at school 
• Engage in any conduct that brings disrespect to himself or his student(s), the school, the WatchDOGS program, or other volunteering fathers.

Questions about Tadlock WatchDogs?

Contact Tadlock's WatchDog Coordinator
Justin Schiavo at tadlockdogs@gmail.com