By MMS Assistant Principal Dillon Clark
Messalonskee Middle School had some new faces in the halls and classrooms this winter. MMS launched the Watch D.O.G.S. program which stands for Dads Of Great Students. This is a national program that focuses on getting more dads, grandfathers, and uncles involved as role models at school. Dads come in to MMS at 7:15AM to greet the students as they arrive for the day. Throughout the day, dads attend classes, are in the halls while students change classes and hang out with the kids in the cafeteria during lunch. During all of these times, they help students when needed and provide another set of eyes in our school.
The feedback on the program has been great. Teachers have been requesting to have dads in their classroom. Students at MMS have really enjoyed having the new faces in our school and the Watch D.O.G.S. have had great things to say as well. According to feedback, some of the Watch D.O.G.S.’ highlights have been the conversations they engage in with students, the work they are able to help with and the general support they are showing for their own student’s education.
“I find the teachers really like having someone else who can share a little about how items students are learning are used ‘in the real world’.” -MMS Watch D.O.G.
“One of my favorite times of the day is greeting the students coming in to school. I like being able to welcome them to ‘their workplace’ and show them that their education is so important I’m willing to take a vacation day from mine to help them.” -MMS Watch D.O.G.
If any fathers, grandfathers or uncles are interested in being a part of this program, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Top D.O.G Chris Rhoda or Assistant Principal Dillon Clark by email at chris.rhoda@outlook.com or dclark@rsu18.org
