On any given weekday at West Side Middle School in Waterbury, a watchdog waits just around the corner. And odds are, he's got a direct hotline to the principal. He's one of several volunteers for a new safety initiative called “Watchdog Dads"- where the dogs part stands for 'dads of great students.'
“For the kids, a walkie talkie is a sign of authority in this building. Anyone with a walkie (talkie), and if they are skipping, they know that you can take that walkie (talkie), report them and that is it for them,” Jasie Myers, a parent liason, said.
Chuck Collini is one of many volunteers who help keep the hallways in order and students on a tight leash.
“We are an extra set of eyes and ears for the staff,” he said.
From students who abuse hall pass privileges to those who roam the hallways, teachers admit that it's hard to keep track of every one of the school's 1,200 students. Security monitors and surveillance cameras can only catch so much.
And when there is a disruption in the classroom, “Watchdog Dad’s” lend staff a hand.
“Instead of having our teachers stop and have to deal with that for 15 minutes, let the teacher keep instructing the students and have someone else there to be able to deal with that situation,” said Myers.
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But chances are you won't find 11-year-old Carlie misbehaving around Collini because rhis particular watchdog can ground her.
“I’m really proud of my dad because I know that he cares about me and I know he's just trying to protect me and everyone else. It's really nice having him here,” the 6th grader said.
In fact, some students seem to welcome the extra guidance. For some of the kids, the Watchdog Dads are just the male influence or role model they've been looking for, Collini said.
“There are a lot of kids who happen to have single moms or single dads at home, so you know there is not a big family cohesiveness, so they come to school and see an adult,” he said.
Which means the program is definitely working and the staff couldn't be more thrilled.
“They have been respectful. They listen to our dads. You know, they seem to have been building a rapore with the students,” Myers said.
The "Watchdog Dads" program has become so successful the school is adding another responsibility to their list: classroom mentors.
If you are interested in joining the program call West Side Middle at (203) 574-8120.
