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Illinois Fatherhood Initiative
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Email - 4fathers@earthlink.net

More than 100 dads join Freedom Elementary WATCH D.O.G.S. Oct. 29, 2009

Plainfield- Over 100 dads of Freedom Elementary School students packed the gymnasium recently to learn about how they can be more involved at their student’s school as part of the school’s first-ever WATCH D.O.G.S. event.

Freedom staff and the PTO invited all interested fathers to attend a kickoff event for the Freedom Elementary School Dads Of Great Students (WATCH D.O.G.S.) program. More than 250 people attended, including more than 100 dads.

The dads learned about volunteer opportunities at the school and even signed up to start getting involved.

“The kickoff event was a great success and the program is scheduled to begin with the first dads volunteering at Freedom on Monday, November 2nd,” Freedom PTO President Kevin Kirberg said.

Freedom staff and the PTO decided to invite dads to get more involved at the elementary level to positively influence the students through their commitment and dedication.

“Positive male role models provide a significant impact on the development of children,” Kirberg said.  “The WATCH D.O.G.S. program creates the setting and structure for this to occur for all students at Freedom.”

The program is designed to gain the direct involvement of father figures as volunteers on a daily basis at Freedom.  

“When parents are involved, students are more likely to perform better and find school more fulfilling,” Kirberg said.  “When parents volunteer at school, they are more aware of what their children go through on a daily basis and can foster more school to home connections.”

The WATCH D.O.G.S. program offers a structured opportunity for the school and students to benefit from male involvement and for volunteers to incorporate contributing to the school into their lives.

“The program is structured to foster opportunities for the WATCH D.O.G.S. volunteer to interact with the students and assist the learning process, while helping create a safer and more secure physical environment and provide visible role models for all students,” Kirberg said.

Tom Hernandez
Director of Community Relations
Plainfield CCSD 202
(815) 577-4008 (office)
(815) 514-5409 (cell)
tahernan@psd202.org
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