Troy Students Get Positive Role Models

Submitted by Troy School District 30-C

Photo: Watch Dogs “Top Dog” parent Kevin Modzelewski and his William B. Orenic Intermediate School son, Matthew.

Dads, uncles, grandfathers and other men important in the lives of William B. Orenic Intermediate School students have been playing a big role in the Troy District 30-C school this year. Watch Dogs, a pilot program that began at the urging of one interested father last year, has grown by leaps and bounds, one might say, as men step up to provide a positive male presence in the school.

“It is going extremely well,” WBO Assistant Principal Kelly Sester said of the program. “We had 81 dads participate this year. It helps the teachers by putting another adult in the classroom to help manage the class, and I think the students enjoy having a male in the room to see how he interacts and shows respect.”

Parent Kevin Modzelewski brought the idea to the school board two years ago and became the Watch Dogs’ “Top Dog” to get the program going. His son Andrew attended WBO at the time, and now his son Matthew is there.

“This is one of those great volunteer programs that’s a win-win for everyone,” Modzelewski said. “One of the big things it does is to increase the presence of male role models. It also gives you a whole new respect for the teachers and appreciation for your children and their school days.”

Watch Dogs is part of the National Center for Fathering, with programs in more than 4,615 K-12 schools in 46 states, according to the organization’s website, fathers.com. Another benefit of the program is that it provides an extra set of eyes and ears to enhance school security and reduce bullying.

“It’s something I really wanted to come experience to see how he does things and to meet all his friends,” said WBO Watch Dog Glen Brien, father of 5th grader Dominick Ciamprone. “We basically help the teachers out. Today I helped with science experiments and played speed ball in gym.”

“He made a goal,” Dominick said.

The Watch Dogs greet the students as they are dropped off at school, walk the halls, check the outside doors for security, and attend and participate in their children’s classes.

“It is a great program,” Watch Dog John Sikes, father of 6th grader Nikki, said. “The fathers get to see what the school day looks like today, because it’s nothing like it used to be. Also, community involvement is important. It was really very nice to be able to help out. It was quite an experience.”

“After you spend a day here,” Modzelewski said, “you’ll find that there won’t be a lot of things you’ll do as a father that will be as important as this. It’s one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done in my life.”

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