Kyle Guilliams’ second volunteer stint as part of Robert Frost Elementary’s Watch D.O.G.S was packed with activity.
He refereed a football game among fourth-grade boys, served as goalie during a soccer match with fifth-graders and alternated between kicking a ball with one student and joining his daughter and her friends for a game of four-square.
“It’s another adult presence — a dad — helping out and interacting with the kids,” Guilliams said. “And for those who might not have a dad at home, it’s an experience for them.”
“I enjoy it as much as they do.”
Guilliams is among a growing number of volunteers who have helped revive Robert Frost’s Watch D.O.G.S. — Dads Of Great Students — program this year. The school has historically had an active Watch D.O.G.S. program, which went dormant as a result of the pandemic.
In December, parent Steve Michalovich led the charge to resume the program by recruiting volunteers. Now, the group has 22 dads and other father figures who support students during recess by refereeing games and bringing activities for them.
“We love our Watch D.O.G.S. dads,” interim principal Angela Hayes said. “They have been amazing, so much so that students have been asking when they are coming.”
She said having a positive male presence during recess has been especially helpful for fourth- and fifth-graders, who need extra assistance with organized games such as soccer and football. As referees, the Watch D.O.G.S. help ensure students are playing fair and being respectful to each other.
“That partnership with our parents is important to me and us at Robert Frost,” Hayes said. “It’s important to give our parents that opportunity to partner with and educate their students and this is a beautiful way to do that.”
While the Watch D.O.G.S currently supports the school during recess, Hayes said she is interested in other opportunities to connect students with male role models such as during lunch.
Michalovich said he is thrilled that the school has supported the revival of the Watch D.O.G.S. program.
“It's a testament to the 20-plus volunteers who commit several hours of their day to be present at the school that dads and father figures want to be involved in the Robert Frost community and demonstrate the importance of education to the students,” he said.
Founded in 1998, the national Watch D.O.G.S. program started as a way to provide positive male role models for students and give educators extra sets of eyes and ears to enhance school security and reduce bullying. More than 5,500 schools in 46 states have a Watch D.O.G.S. program.
For Guilliams, volunteering has given him an opportunity to see his daughter during the school day and interact with kids. His experiences during recess are much like what he’s used to as a youth basketball and soccer coach.
Guilliams, a financial consultant, hopes to volunteer with Watch D.O.G.S. once a month for the rest of the school year.
“It’s nice to carve out time to get away from that and enjoy it with kids here,” he said.