Post by title1parent on Sept 19, 2009 4:48:00 GMT -5
GREAT STORY and IDEA !!
www.suburbanchicagonews.com/beaconnews/news/1778651,2_1_AU19_BUCHENOT_S1-090919.article
Who let the DOGS out?
September 19, 2009
It's about time someone lets the DOGS out.
Recently, the Georgetown Elementary School PTA asked fathers to volunteer during lunchtime recess to become Dads Of Great Students, or DOGS. They were given baseball caps to identify them as DOGS and spent the lunch periods playing playground games with students.
"We were looking for a way for dads to be involved at the school," said Georgetown PTA President Stephani Gordon. "So we invited dads to come to recess and we didn't really know what to expect. The dads just showed up and kind of went with me.
" I told them just to have fun -- no discipline, no guardian roles, just be a male presence. The dads had a great time and wanted to know 'When can we come again?' My husband was one of the dads, and he came home tired. He had no idea playing tag took so much energy."
Alderman Rick Mervine joined in as a volunteer member of DOGS and found it to be very rewarding.
"I played jump rope -- as a jump rope twirler, not a jumper," he said. "I organized a game of H-O-R-S-E and the kids played better than me. The interesting thing for me was that there was always someone standing alone. The dads all tried to draw those kids into the group and were successful most of the time. It's a great way for dads to get involved with their kids' school."
Gordon said that the dads were so pumped after the experience they are organizing a Saturday sports clinic for kids on Oct. 17.
This is her first year as PTA president and she is trying to revive the organization.
"Membership had fallen last year to around 100," said Gordon. "I met with the PTA and said, 'let's make a crazy goal. Let's go for 290 members.'"
She is also trying to make the organization about service to the school instead of fundraising. One of the ideas from the PTA was an after-school program.
A Georgetown parent who owns Eagle Academy of Martial Arts stepped forward to offer the services of his staff, and the PTA set up for students to attend an after-school karate class on Tuesdays.
"We were hoping to have at least 10 kids show up and the school principal asked me what would happen if we got more than our capacity of 60," said Gordon. "I told her 'wouldn't that be a great problem to have?' We had the class and 100 kids showed up -- both boys and girls and all ages. It was great."
The plan is to offer a series of weekly after-school sessions for Georgetown students. After four weeks of karate, there may be four weeks of a reading club, then four weeks of art or cooking or other activities.
"We want them to have fun without realizing they are learning," said Gordon.
The PTA leader admits that the task of fundraising is looming before the group.
"We have to do it," she said, and the group has begun to look at options.
I admire the enthusiasm of all school parent organizations and encourage parents to get involved. Too often we think that education is solely the teacher's responsibility, but a large part of student success depends on parents.
As parents, we play an enormous role in the future of our own children and all children. When you get notices asking you to volunteer, I encourage you to take a vacation day to help at least once. Share your talents and resources with the school whenever you can.
PTA, PTO and Home and School presidents can have all the enthusiasm in the world but can't do anything without help from other parents.
www.suburbanchicagonews.com/beaconnews/news/1778651,2_1_AU19_BUCHENOT_S1-090919.article
Who let the DOGS out?
September 19, 2009
It's about time someone lets the DOGS out.
Recently, the Georgetown Elementary School PTA asked fathers to volunteer during lunchtime recess to become Dads Of Great Students, or DOGS. They were given baseball caps to identify them as DOGS and spent the lunch periods playing playground games with students.
"We were looking for a way for dads to be involved at the school," said Georgetown PTA President Stephani Gordon. "So we invited dads to come to recess and we didn't really know what to expect. The dads just showed up and kind of went with me.
" I told them just to have fun -- no discipline, no guardian roles, just be a male presence. The dads had a great time and wanted to know 'When can we come again?' My husband was one of the dads, and he came home tired. He had no idea playing tag took so much energy."
Alderman Rick Mervine joined in as a volunteer member of DOGS and found it to be very rewarding.
"I played jump rope -- as a jump rope twirler, not a jumper," he said. "I organized a game of H-O-R-S-E and the kids played better than me. The interesting thing for me was that there was always someone standing alone. The dads all tried to draw those kids into the group and were successful most of the time. It's a great way for dads to get involved with their kids' school."
Gordon said that the dads were so pumped after the experience they are organizing a Saturday sports clinic for kids on Oct. 17.
This is her first year as PTA president and she is trying to revive the organization.
"Membership had fallen last year to around 100," said Gordon. "I met with the PTA and said, 'let's make a crazy goal. Let's go for 290 members.'"
She is also trying to make the organization about service to the school instead of fundraising. One of the ideas from the PTA was an after-school program.
A Georgetown parent who owns Eagle Academy of Martial Arts stepped forward to offer the services of his staff, and the PTA set up for students to attend an after-school karate class on Tuesdays.
"We were hoping to have at least 10 kids show up and the school principal asked me what would happen if we got more than our capacity of 60," said Gordon. "I told her 'wouldn't that be a great problem to have?' We had the class and 100 kids showed up -- both boys and girls and all ages. It was great."
The plan is to offer a series of weekly after-school sessions for Georgetown students. After four weeks of karate, there may be four weeks of a reading club, then four weeks of art or cooking or other activities.
"We want them to have fun without realizing they are learning," said Gordon.
The PTA leader admits that the task of fundraising is looming before the group.
"We have to do it," she said, and the group has begun to look at options.
I admire the enthusiasm of all school parent organizations and encourage parents to get involved. Too often we think that education is solely the teacher's responsibility, but a large part of student success depends on parents.
As parents, we play an enormous role in the future of our own children and all children. When you get notices asking you to volunteer, I encourage you to take a vacation day to help at least once. Share your talents and resources with the school whenever you can.
PTA, PTO and Home and School presidents can have all the enthusiasm in the world but can't do anything without help from other parents.