In 1998, there was a shooting at a middle school in Jonesboro, Ark.

A concerned father of one of the students decided to do something to lessen the chances of it happening again. So he started spending time at the school during school hours, providing an extra set of eyes and ears to enhance school security at the school.

Other men started coming also, and eventually they organized a program called Watch D.O.G.S. — Dads of Great Students. Today there are more than 2,610 active Watch D.O.G.S. programs in 42 states.

In the spring of 2011, Natchez High School’s parent liaison, Ms. Angelita Jones, handed me a brochure about the program and asked me to consider coordinating it at the school. After researching the program’s background, I gladly agreed to give it a try.

Mr. Cleveland Moore, the principal, the interim superintendent and the Natchez-Adams School District Board of Directors also submitted their support to start the program at the high school during the fall of 2011.

As of today, at least 40 men are Watch D.O.G.S. at Natchez High School, and proper procedures are being followed to begin a program at Morgantown Middle School in 2013.

Do you really want to make a difference by being a positive and active male role model?

If so, contact me at 601-334-6955 to become a Watch D.O.G.S. volunteer.

Have you heard about any school shootings lately?

 

Greg West

Natchez resident