Dads of New Albany (DNA) is a family and community engagement educational initiative. There are 2 primary goals of the DNA program.
1) To provide positive male role models for the students, demonstrating by their presence that education is important. 2) To provide extra sets of eyes and ears to enhance school security and reduce bullying.
Dads of New Albany was created after modeling a program called WATCH D.O.G.S.®. This program began in 1998 in a single school in Springdale, Arkansas and has since grown into a nationally recognized program that has brought hundreds of thousands of fathers and father figures into the school classrooms and hallways across the country, creating millions of hours of “in school” volunteer time and having a tremendously positive impact on the educational process.
ProgramBenefits
Students gain positive male role models.
Schools gain an extra set of eyes and ears. The presence of a father or father figure will provide an additional deterrent to bullying, enhance a sense of security in the building, and will help to create an environment conducive to learning.
Fathers get a glimpse of their students’ everyday world and learn about the increasingly complex challenges and decisions today’s youth are facing. As a result, they can learn to relate better to their student and hopefully connect with them.
Fathers gain a greater awareness of the positive impact they can have on their student’s life in three critical areas including: academic performance, self-esteem, social behavior.
The volunteers provide real and important help for the teachers and the students.
Who the Dads of New Albany? They are fathers, grandfathers, uncles, and other father-figures who volunteer for at least one day each year in school. During the day, DNA volunteers may read and work on flash cards with students, play at recess, eat lunch with students, watch the school entrances and hallways, assist with traffic flow and any other assigned activities where they actively engage with not only their own students, but other students as well. On their first day of volunteering they will receive a t-shirt that will show they’re with Dads of New Albany.
For more games information please visit the DNA website, where you can sign up to receive information and have your background check completed.
