Hortonville Elementary encouraging dads to volunteer at school

HORTONVILLE — Some dads at Hortonville Elementary are making a point to learn how to become more involved in the classroom.

Dan Unruh, a father, believes the impact will be very positive.

Unruh said, "I think being involved in your kids' lives and knowing what they're doing day in and day out, I think its very important."

Unruh and all these other dads came to join a program called Watch D.O.G.S, which stands for Dads of Great Students.

Janice Zuege, Associate Principal at Hortonville Elementary School said, "It's an organization that is endorsed by the National Center for Fathering. The idea of it is to get dads in the schools to spend a day, or half a day, or whatever they can volunteering in the schools."

The school says they typically see many moms volunteering, but this program encourages dads to become involved as positive role models.

Zuege said, "Research has shown that when moms and dads get involved with a child's education, they succeed. And it's just wonderful to have dads helping us out."

They'll be helping in many different ways.

Zuege said, "They will be helping out by doing some supervision in the hallways, helping out in classrooms. Helping out in the cafeteria supervising, being outside during recess time."

But at the end of the day, getting them involved in their children's lives is what it's all about.

Judd Pulley, a father, said, "I think its just important to be involved with your kids in general and it's fun to do it."

Unruh said, "I think anytime you can get involved in any capacity, whether its sports or through the school, being a positive role model is kind of why we're here."