By ShaVonne Herndon
A popular program is returning to Kilgore I.S.D. campuses for the second straight year. It's called "Watch Dog." Dads volunteer to serve at least one day each year in a variety of school activities.
Last school year the program was only on the Intermediate campus, but with this year's hundred plus turn out, it will now be added to the elementary and kindergarten campuses.
In a packed auditorium more than 300 men are choosing to dedicate one day this school year to be watch dog. "It gives that student a boost of just morale for that day to know someone is there and really cares for them," said Kevin Dollins.
He adds that although his daughter signed him up he's ready to make a difference, "There's a study that shows if a father comes into the school three days a year that kid is going to improve show great improvement in state tests."
National director, Eric Snow, mentions this program is spreading rapidly across the nation. "It's not rocket science it's getting the dads in, getting them plugged into education always working with teachers and the faculty," said Snow.
Relationship building and a sense of security even toned down behavioral issues. "When we had dads out there for recess our incidents of fights declined somewhat," said Kilgore Intermediat Principal Andy Adams. "We know dads being out there and being around kids also helped."
For students who have dads overseas and need a male role model, Dollins is here for you and most of all his daughter.
If the program continues to get bigger, the next step may be to add it in the high school.
