A program meant to involve more male figures in schools is slowly returning to JPS

The Watch D.O.G.S., which stands for "Dads of Great Students," a program meant to involve more fathers and male figures in students' lives, is back in operation at Jackson Public Schools.

Originally starting in 2010, this will be the second year of a relaunch after a halt to the program due to the 2020 COVID-19 Pandemic. While not as prevalent in as many JPS schools as it once was before the pandemic, the Watch D.O.G.S. are slowly starting to return, according to Darwin Robinson, the district coordinator of the program.

"It provides an extra set of eyes and ears and positive role models," Robinson said. "You deter bullying and enhance a sense of security in the school because kids get familiar with you and feel comfortable and you can establish a rapport with them. They feel more comfortable when there's someone else in the school besides just their peers and their teachers."

Watch D.O.G.S. is a national program, starting in 1998 at a school in Springdale, Arkansas. It has since "brought hundreds of thousands of fathers and father figures into the school classrooms and hallways across the country," according to the national website.

A lot of times kids don't get to see a positive role model outside of an athlete or an entertainer and that's not reality, Robinson said. The Watch D.O.G.S. are there to provide that.

"We're dealing with positive people that have positive ideas, and they can give positive leadership and have a positive impact on the scholars and the schools," Robinson said. "It helps to change the climate and culture of a school."

Robinson is a member Watch D.O.G.S. himself, participating in the program for his two daughters, Kirsten, 7, and Khrislyn, 13. Kirsten attends school at North Jackson Elementary and Khrislyn attends Henry J. Kirksey Middle School.

He said if more dads are interested in joining, they can reach him at his email address, Drobinson@jackson.k12.ms.us, or fill out a volunteer application online at the program's website.

According to Robinson, the Watch D.O.G.S. program has been relaunched in eight JPS schools, including Lanier High School, Henry J. Kirksey Middle School, Powell Middle School, Lake Elementary, Marshall Elementary, North Jackson Elementary, Shirley Elementary and Obama Magnet Elementary. Getting the program into more JPS schools is ongoing, Robinson said.

The D.O.G.S.

Three Watch D.O.G.S. from Obama Magnet Elementary School — Jaimar Scott, Reginald Jefferson and Jared Turner — spoke to the Clarion Ledger about why the program is so important. A common theme all three dads shared is the program is a great way to add more male role models into students' lives, an influence that can be lacking in schools.

"Typically you find more women teaching than men and that's fine," Scott said. "But, I would say to try to get more men involved that the scholars deserve it, the faculty and administration deserve it. They deserve our help, our support and any way we can find to do that will benefit the school district as a whole."

Scott, who is a product of JPS schools, is currently on his seventh year with the program. His daughter, Payton, 11, is a sixth grader at Obama Magnet, and he plans continue as a Watch D.O.G.S. member when his younger son, Lawson, 4, starts to school. Scott said it takes more than just teachers and faculty to have an impact on students, it also takes parental involvement.

Similarly, Jefferson said involvement in the Watch D.O.G.S. program does not just affect parents' own children, it also touches everyone at the school. He said fathers who are a part of the program can also impacts children who may not have a male role model in their lives. It is also helpful to the teachers to have more adults around who can be a watchful eye, he said.

"When I was in school my father was on the PTA and seeing him involved and showing interest in my school, that motivated me to want to be involved for my kids as well," Jefferson said. "And not just for my kids, but also for other kids who may not have that. The teacher's can't do it alone."

Jefferson, a father of four, has been involved with the Watch D.O.G.S. off-and-on for roughly 10 years. He is currently in the program for his son, Reginald, 10, but was also involved when his other children were in elementary school.

Turner, a veteran member of Watch D.O.G.S. of five years, is the group's leader this year at Obama Magnet School. Currently, more than 70 fathers are involved at the elementary school, Turner said. Both his daughter, Kaylen, 10, and his son Ian, 7, attend.

The Watch D.O.G.S. assisted on the first day of school this year by holding doors open, helping students find their classes and getting students excited to learn. The fathers lined up, cheered and high-fived students as they entered the building. Other events in the works are helping with school fundraisers and the father-daughter dance, Turner said. He is also trying to find extracurricular activities for students that the fathers could participate in.

"Watch D.O.G.S. has been a perfect opportunity for dads to have a way to engage and to make them, not only just be aware of things going on at the school, but give them a chance to actually participate," Turner said. "We want to make sure that we stand steady and be supportive of our scholars."

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Jackson Public Schools Watch D.O.G.S. program is slowly returning