Matt Wilson offering mentoring program

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Jennifer Glenn

September 22, 2012

Matt Wilson offering mentoring program

Anonymous CNHI The Tifton Gazette Sat Sep 22, 2012, 02:06 AM EDT

TIFTON — A mentoring program that engages men, inspires children, reduces bullying and enhances the educational environment at schools is being offered at Matt Wilson Elementary School for the community to get involved.

WATCH D.O.G.S. (Dads of Great Students) is the father involvement initiative of the National Center for Fathering that organizes fathers and father figures in order to provide positive male role models for the students and to enhance school security, says the WATCH D.O.G.S. website. The National Center for Fathering operates on a $2.5 million annual budget with support from individuals, foundation and corporate grants, and earned income from contracts and resource sales.

Also, according to the website, more than 2,276 active programs in 41 states currently participate in the program. WATCH D.O.G.S. was founded by Jim Moore, a concerned father who chose to take action in response to a 1998 middle-school shooting in Jonesboro, Ark.

Behavior Specialist Jennifer Glenn is the coordinator of the program at Matt Wilson. She has been teaching at Matt Wilson for two years, but has been in the school system in Tift and Lowndes counties for 30 years.

She said she talked to members of the Tift County Board of Education and her supervisor about bringing a mentoring program to Matt Wilson. After reading a flyer about WATCH D.O.G.S., she became interested in the program and then went through training. She stated that Jan Wise, principal at Matt Wilson, was also interested and decided to bring the program to the school.

Glenn said the WATCH D.O.G.S. program kicked off at the school with a pizza party in January, but it really didn’t get started until mid-year. She stated that over 100 fathers/men participated in the kick-off and 18 of them actually volunteered. Some couldn’t due to their jobs. She noted that board member John Smith was a volunteer and visited the school several times.

“We were so pleased to have 18 volunteers who positively interacted with the students,” she stated.

Glenn explained that the volunteers are not just fathers; they’re grandfathers, uncles, teachers’ spouses, community members and leaders — any positive male role model.

She said volunteers are only required to visit the school at least once a year; however, some of them volunteer more of their time. She stated that one local minister volunteered almost every Wednesday.

“They come to be an extra support and participate in activities in a positive way,” Glenn said.

She stated that volunteers help in the library, eat breakfast and lunch with the students, and help in any way that they are needed.

She said the first kick-off was very successful, and she’s hoping for a great turnout for the second kick-off at 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 27, in the school cafeteria.

Glenn stated that any male is invited to attend the kick-off next week. Attendees will receive information about the WATCH D.O.G.S. program and a registration form to fill out if they’re interested in being a volunteer, and there will be activities to participate in. Mothers are also invited to attend to get information for their spouse, who may not be able to attend. Fathers can bring their child to the event.

Glenn said the students, as well as the teachers, enjoy seeing the WATCH D.O.G.S. volunteers in the school. She stated that as soon as they walk into the school and down the halls, the atmosphere changes. The students, male and female, feel encouraged to do well and feel safe in the building.

Glenn said there is an official WATCH D.O.G.S. T-shirt available for the volunteers to wear (not required). She stated that the price of the T-shirts range from $13 to $15, depending on size, and they will be available at the kick-off. There are also T-shirts available for the volunteers’ children who attend Matt Wilson.

Glenn said men should get involved in the WATCH D.O.G.S. program because the students enjoy their presence and they make them feel safe and confident. Also, their presence decreases disruptions in the classroom and increases student achievement. She said students are on their best behavior when the volunteers are in the school.

“As a result of absent fathers in the home, there’s a higher rate in teenage pregnancy, drop-outs and delinquency,” Glenn noted.

She added about the program, “I thank the community and school board for allowing us to do this and supporting us in this effort.”

For those who are unable to attend the kick-off and would like to volunteer, contact Matt Wilson Elementary School at 387-2440 or drop by the school’s front office.

For more information on the WATCH D.O.G.S. program, visit www.fathers.com/watchdogs.

To contact reporter Latasha Everson, call 382-4321.

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