Dads and Kids’ Pizza Night to be Thursday at Grant Elementary School

A Dads and Kids’ Pizza Night from 6 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 15, at Grant Elementary School, 1510 N. 4th St., will launch a family and community engagement program called WATCH D.O.G.S. (Dads of Great Students).

The program was created in 1998 by parents and educators, and has since grown to one of the largest initiatives of its kind in the nation.

In this program, fathers and father figures take a day off work during the school year and spend the day volunteering in their child’s school.

Each year, the program generates millions of volunteer hours in schools throughout the nation.

The WATCH D.O.G.S. work alongside educators as crossing guards, car-bus rider facilitators, hallway monitors, library assistants, lunchroom helpers, classroom and homework tutors, and playground-gym coaches.

Through the program, students gain a positive male role model, while schools gain extra eyes and ears, and fathers spend more time with their children.