Gulf Middle School has a new principal this year in Jason Joens and he’s been making changes in a big way at the school. According to the School Board, enrollment at the school is down to around 700 students. Staff at the school admits that there have been some behavioral problems and safety issues, and they’re hoping this new strategy will help.

The school has recently implemented a nationwide program called Watch D.O.G.S. (Dads of Great Students), who are male parents or caregivers that the school invites into the school to provide a positive presence for students. Amy Marin, Gulf Middle’s Parent Involvement Coordinator, said that the school has been looking for a way to get that positive influence, and Watch D.O.G.S. is that way. “We could get more positive male role models for the boys and the girls in the school,” Marin said, “Our school is lacking that positive role model.”

Marin said that sometimes men in the community, “Dads and caregivers,” she calls them, sometimes don’t feel that they can help at school. “We really do want men [on campus],” she said. The volunteers will be asked to target areas of the school that might need additional supervision, provide moral support for students in the school, or just to ask kids about their day.

The school currently has one Watch DOG, but is looking for 26 more Dads to help out. If you have a student at Gulf Middle, or are a community member interested in helping out, there is an orientation meeting planned for Thursday, November 6th at the school from 9-10 am. Volunteers do not need to be a parent of a student at the school. Gulf is looking for “positive role models,” such as “retirees, professionals, and skilled workers.” The only qualification that the school asks is that volunteers submit a volunteer application with Pasco Schools.

If you have any questions about the program, or would like to attend the orientation, contact Amy Marin below:

amarin@pasco.k12.fl.us
Parent Involvement Coordinator
Amy Marin
727-774-8000

by Jon Tietz