Fathers of Horizon Elementary School students enjoyed coffee and doughnuts during the Watch D.O.G.S. kickoff. (CONTRIBUTED)

MADISON – Approximately 100 fathers, grandfathers, brothers and uncles visited the official launch of the Watch D.O.G.S. program for the 2015-2016 school year at Horizon Elementary School.

WATCH D.O.G.S. (Dads of Great Students) is an innovative program that schools across America are using. Fathers and father-figures commit to involvement at school for a positive impact in their students’ lives, counselor Patti Bill said.

“The goal is to have these men spend at least one day a year at the school to be an extra set of eyes and ears as a positive male role model,” Bill said. “Horizon elementary is excited to be a part of this great program and welcomes all Dads of Great Students to get involved.”

Horizon Principal Rodney Richardson also works diligently for the success of Watch D.O.G.S. “We started this program at Horizon because we saw a need to increase the male presence and mentoring,” Richardson said. “We need to have more men in the lives of our kids. I saw an opportunity and a need.”

The launch for Horizon Watch D.O.G.S. on Aug. 28 coincided with a “Donuts for Dads” morning. “It was a great crowd where future Watch D.O.G.S. and students enjoyed donuts, coffee and juice while learning about the program,” Bill said. “Many men signed up to participate in a variety of volunteer opportunities in the school.”

Watch D.O.G.S. often help with car lines during morning and afternoon ‘rush hours,’ read to classes, volunteer for lunchroom duty, monitor the halls and help in the library.

For four years at Horizon, Watch D.O.G.S. have been involved in “making the campus a better place for our students through encouragement, mentoring, tutoring, teacher assistance and support of school-wide activities, such as the Horizon Hustle and International Night,” Bill said.

On any school morning at Horizon, students are motivated by the smiles and ‘high-fives’ from the fathers and father-figures, Bill said.