ELIDA, OHIO (WLIO) - Whether it’s on the playground, in the lunchroom, or in the classroom, Elida Elementary students have a Watch DAWGS in their corner. It’s a long-running program that brings male mentors in to work and interact with the kids.
As part of the program, the mentors help the teachers in the classroom, spend time with the students during lunch and at recess, and give the students one-on-one help with subjects like reading.
Alex McAdams became a Watch DAWG when his daughter Rylan started kindergarten. As part of the program, the mentors help the teachers in the classroom, spend time with the students during lunch and at recess, and give the students one-on-one help with subjects like reading. While McAdams is spending time with his daughter, he is also spending time with kids she sees daily.
“Now when I come pick my daughter up from school, all of these kids know me. We play out at recess; we play football, throw the ball around. During lunchtime, helping them open milks, all that stuff. These kids know me more than I know them. So, when I am out about in the community, all of these kids are saying, "Hi, Mr. McAdams." They are happy to see me; sometimes they will come up and give you a hug you don’t even know,” says Alex McAdams, 2nd year in the Watch DAWGS program.
Kelly Reed has been in the Watch DAWGS for eight years and spends a few hours a week helping kids become better students. Reed graduated from Elida; so did his kids, and now his grandkids and great-nieces and nephews are in the Bulldog family. He likes being a mentor at the school district that has been part of his life.
While McAdams is spending time with his daughter, he is also spending time with kids she sees daily.
“I enjoy mentoring the kids. Volunteering and helping them read and get caught up on schoolwork if they have been sick and getting them ready for state testing, says Kelly Reed, 8th year with the Watch DAWS program.
“I would say it’s a really important program. We have a lot of male role models, positive male role models, that are able to come in and work with the students. And work with them, not only on their academics but even just teaching them some social skills and life skills and preparing them for things they can’t always learn within these walls,” says Principal Michelle Allison, Elida Elementary.
“More than just your kid, you get to see all of these kids grow, and that is going to be the class that your daughter or son grows through high school with. As they grow up, hopefully you know that grade level and who your kids hang out with and be impactful in their lives and their friends’ lives,” adds McAdams.
Reed graduated from Elida; so did his kids, and now his grandkids and great-nieces and nephews are in the Bulldog family.
The school is looking for a few more Watch DAWGS to be part of the students’ lives, even if it is just a couple of hours a month.
“If you are willing to volunteer your time, they will take you any day of the week, any hour of the day. If you want to come here and volunteer for just an hour, or half a day, or a full day, the elementary school would love to have you,” adds Reed.
If you have questions about the program or would like to sign up, contact Elida Elementary Councilor Kathy Magers to learn more about the Watch DAWGS program at (419) 338-6803.
