Watch D.O.G.S. Reaching Out

At most elementary schools, you're likely to find a woman at the head of the class and lots of women volunteers, but at Maranatha Christian Academy in Brooklyn Park, men play a role in the classroom everyday.

Nearly two years ago, the private school started using a national program called Watch D.O.G.S. or Dads of Great Students at their school. The program encourages dads and other father figures to spend one day of vacation in their child's school.

"This is really about connecting dads and their kids back together," said Brad Klingman, a Watch Dog and father of two daughters at Maranatha.

Klingman is one of more than 200 dads at Maranatha who volunteer in the program. The men spend a day at their child's school and serve as an extra pair of hands in the classroom and on the playground, but they also serve as important role models for students throughout the school.

"They're seeing what it means to be a good dad and a good man," said Klingman.

The program has been such a success for Maranatha that local program leaders are now encouraging other schools to get involved with the program too. Tuesday night, Maranatha opened its doors to encourage other men and fathers at the school to get involved and the school also invited other local school administrators in to learn more about the program.

Rice Lake Elementary Principal Mark French said he likes what he sees with the Watch D.O.G.S. program.

"I'm impressed at the number of dads and fathers and families that are here being actively involved and volunteering in their children's school," said French.

French said he's planning to bring the program to his Maple Grove elementary school in January. That's news that Brad Klingman likes to hear because he's confident that having a regular male presence in the classroom helps make a difference.

"This should be in every school," said Klingman.