Woodland Heights Elementary library was filled with dads and father figures that are ready to volunteer in Brownwood ISD’s Watch D.O.G.S. program to help play a part in safety at the local schools.
Principal Jenny Roberts welcomed approximately 90 men to the first meeting that kicked off with a brief informational session and pizza with the dads and their kids. While the men were discussing their new roles as watchdogs, teachers helped entertain the children with coloring and fun with their friends.
Watch D.O.G. S. stands for “Dads of Great Students” and offers a chance to participate with the children and be a needed part of security on campus.
Brownwood ISD Resource officer Fred Bastardo is heading up the Watch D.O.G.S. and with the help of Ms. Roberts, outlined what Woodland Heights dads will be doing to support teachers and help implement extra security for the students.
“You’re really making a huge difference at our school,” said Roberts.
For now, a pilot program at Woodland will be tested and then possibly expanded to other campuses throughout the district according to Roberts and Bastardo.
Watch D.O.G.S. will help be role models for the students, help keep an extra set of eyes and ears on the kids while on the playground and around the campus, mentor by participating with the kids at play and by reading.
“Watch D.O.G.S. was Fred’s idea,” stated Brownwood Assistant Chief James Fuller. “It’s a great program and I’m proud of Fred for getting it going.”
Bastardo was thrilled of the turnout of dads ready to participate.
“There were more (dads) than I expected,” said Bastardo. “There weren’t enough shirts and ran out of lines on the sign-in sheet.”
Pictured above is the crowded library full of dads ready to get Watch D.O.G.S. up and running at Woodland Heights.
Below are more pictures of the event.
Approximately 90 dads were ready to learn about Watch D.O.G.S.
Pictured are some of the dads and organizers of the program: Tim Airheart, Principal Jenny Roberts, Chris Goodrich, Tim Espinoza, PTO Volunteer Coordinator Cindi Franklin, John Casilaw, Officer Fred Bastardo, Anthony Ford, Morsello Hooker, and Jessie Martinez.
Shirt that Watch D.O.G.S. will wear while on duty.
Officer Bastardo shakes the hand of Willie Vargas.
Watch D.O.G.S. kids colored while dads were in the meeting.