Watch DOGS

Wheeler Elementary has always had an amazing Watch D.O.G.S. Program. When COVID hit, the program was suspended but we are ready to bring it back!

While we reintroduce the program to our school community it will look a little different. Watch DOGS volunteers will be asked to volunteer in the Wheeler Cafeteria, for the entire lunch block, 10:00 – 12:20. This is a little different from the traditional program but is designed to allow volunteers an opportunity to interact with the entire student body.

If you are interested, you must:

1. Complete and pass a JCPS Volunteer background check.

2. Sign Up using the button below.

All volunteers all required to follow all rules set forth by the Health Department and JCPS as community infection rates fluctuate. This could result in suspension of the program with little notice.

Check out the info below to learn more about the program.

WATCH D.O.G.S. (Dads Of Great Students) is an innovative father involvement, educational initiative of the National Center For Fathering. There are two primary goals of the WATCH D.O.G.S. program.


1) To provide positive male role models for the students, demonstrating by their presence that education is important.


2) To provide extra sets of eyes and ears to enhance school security and reduce bullying.


WATCH D.O.G.S. began in 1998 in a single school in Springdale, Arkansas and has since grown into a national recognized program that has brought hundreds of thousands of fathers and father figures into the school classrooms and hallways across the country, creating millions of hours of “in school” volunteer time and having a tremendously positive impact on the educational process. Today more than 4,704 schools in 46 states plus DC participate in WATCH D.O.G.S. Currently, there are WATCH D.O.G.S. programs in China, Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Barbados.


Who Are WatchDOGS?

WatchDOGS are fathers, grandfathers, uncles, and other father-figures who volunteer for at least one day each year at an official WATCH D.O.G.S. school. During the day, WatchDOGS may read and work on flash cards with students, play at recess, eat lunch with students, watch the school entrances and hallways, assist with traffic flow and any other assigned activities where they actively engage with not only their own students, but other students as well. Many school principals have reported that the mere presence of a WatchDOG dramatically reduces reports of bullying. On the day of their participation, WatchDOGS are given a brief review of their involvement and they wear an official WATCH D.O.G.S. t-shirt with a disposable ‘Dog Tag’ identifying them as WATCHDOGS.


How WATCH D.O.G.S. Works

WATCH D.O.G.S., a K-12 program, invites fathers, grandfathers, uncles, or other father figures to volunteer at least one full day at their child’s/student’s school during the school year.  WatchDOGS volunteers perform a variety of tasks during their volunteer day including monitoring the school entrance, assisting with unloading and loading of buses and cars, monitoring the lunch room, or helping in the classroom with a teacher’s guidance by working with small groups of students on homework, flashcards, or spelling.


Program Benefits


Program Recognition

Find out more on their website: https://dadsofgreatstudents.com/

Visit the official Watch DOGS store: https://shop.dadsofgreatstudents.com/