Captain Strong Primary calls in the D.O.G.S.

Watch D.O.G.S. is now at Captain Strong Primary School in Battle Ground.

For the past several months, Principal Michael Michaud and Assistant Principal Jennifer Kerr have been working with Curtis Miller and the Battle Ground Mentoring Collaborative to develop strategies to increase community volunteers and support the students at Captain Strong. With the help of school staff and community members, the group decided to implement the Watch D.O.G.S. (Dads of Good Students) program.

On Jan. 22, more than 120 dads and father figures, about 200 children and approximately 30 high school students showed up to launch the start of the program in the school. Participants ate pizza, played dodgeball and floor hockey and built Legos as a way to build friendships and celebrate the new program. Participants also received an overview of the program and signed up to volunteer for a Watch D.O.G.S. day for the remainder of the school year.

While this program is sponsored by Captain Strong, it also included efforts by Lewis River Rotary, One Team Before and After School Program, Battle Ground Rotary, Point Man Ministries (retired veterans), Battle Ground Baptist Church and Landmark Christian Church.

The program is the “Father Involvement Initiative” of the National Center for Fathering. Its goal is to “engage men, inspire children, reduce bullying and enhance the educational environment.” Dads or father figures are invited to attend school for one day out of the school year. The volunteers are assigned activities by school administrators and engage with youth throughout the day. They wear a Watch D.O.G.S. T-shirt, play games with students, give high fives and are literally the “big man on campus” for the day.

Captain Strong joins Glenwood Heights Primary School, Laurin Middle School and Pleasant Valley Primary School in implementing the program. Veteran volunteers and coordinators from Glenwood supported the creation and implementation of the Captain Strong primary.

“We are humbled by the level of interest in the Watch D.O.G.S. program,” Michaud said. “Our hope is to strengthen family, school and community relationships. With an increase in fathers and father figures throughout the building we are sure to see an increase in achievement and a reduction in student misbehavior. I also hope for Watch D.O.G.S. to preserve the stability and integrity of the Battle Ground community.”