Dads Mean Well. I think.
This email just popped in my email box and I think it’s worth discussing. If Dads really want to get more involved and help the school, faculty and students, why don’t they handle the carpool lanes? Even if it’s one day a week, it would be infinitely more helpful than having dads stand around the hallways engaging, laughing and encouraging.
Nice of the Dad’s Club to want to help but, a) might they be better utilized elsewhere? and, b) if they do serve as greeters, I would want to be sure that these dads do not mention anything about God. That’s right. God. Because having greeters welcome students once a week sounds a lot like church, and since the Dad’s Club president also happens to be the Pastor at Watermark Church, I want to be sure that there’s no recruiting going on.
Dads of MIS and HPMS:
As the year comes to an end, I wanted to let you know about an opportunity to jump in, enjoy your kids and serve the faculty and school family.
For a long time, many of us, along with Ms. Laurie Norton and other administrators have been brainstorming ways we can up fathers’ presence on the MIS/HPMS campus. Thankfully, through some collective brainstorming with other HPISD Dads’ Clubs and some “best practices” exchanges with other districts, we think we have the perfect solution.
We have all observed the increased demands academically, socially and in extra-curricular activities that open up for kids as they make their way through life and HPISD. Too often this has been joined by a decreased presence of Dads in these same activities. Not a good combination and something we hope to mitigate with our new MONDAY MORNING GREETERS.
Beginning Monday, May 17th and then every Monday throughout May, we intend to put a few Dads at each door and at each major hallway intersection throughout the school from 7:50-8:20 a.m. This will be a great way to welcome, engage with, laugh and encourage the students as they show up for another week of learning.
To do this effectively, we will need 25-30 Dads on 17th and 24th. This 30 minutes is the perfect way to meet other Dads, see all the kids you used to coach, and learn names of all the new friends your children have made this year.
Please respond to bduncan@watermark.org with the Monday(s) you are able to show up and make a difference with us.
Hopefully, next year this can be a way for Dads to be present and engaged with their kids and friends every Monday, but until then, we wanted to end this school year by showing up and encouraging them.
We hope to have a web based sign up system in place next year, but for now we are going to fill it the old fashioned way. Don’t miss out….be one of the first Dads to start a new tradition with us. Sign up today by responding to bduncan@watermark.org.
Important Reminder: All volunteers must have and wear their HPISD official volunteer badge. If you do not yet have a volunteer badge, you can complete the background check request by clicking on the following link: http://www.hpisd.org/Portals/0/docs/personnel/Volunteer CH May 2007.pdf
Matt Bush and Todd Wagner
Dad’s Club Presidents
29 comments to "Dads Mean Well. I think."
Kirsten, you are on-target for Dads getting involved in the carpool at MIS. Great idea.
As for those that are worried about the God possibly being mentioned in a 5 second greeting you have greater worries. I seriously doubt these dads are trying to preach to your child when they greet them in the morning.
And I’d give more points for letting the kids see these dads do some work in the carpool lane, supply shop or cafeeteria. I think what we’ve got here is a new “job” that allows some guys to say they volunteer without having to set their coffee down.
All done with a Bluetooth headset plugged in, and one hand checking emails.
Then there will be the guys hanging around the doors cackling like a bunch of old hens gathered around the flag pole (gossip).
Dads, if you are going to be taking up 30 parking places, then do something useful while you are there. Open doors, help kids get there projects and music instruments out of the car, put on an orange vest and serve as a volunteer crossing guard, stand in the middle of the road and stare down the inconsiderate carpool Dad/Mom.
Stay out of the school. The kids just left their parents. Give them space. The only have a few minutes from the car to the class. My kids will say hello and move on. You will not have enough of an impact on them to warrant the parking problem you will create. However, go out to the carpool lane and get that thing safe and moving and you will be our heroes! That is a contribution, my kids will notice and benefit from.
Carpool is a great place to help out as well. Not as fun tho….
I do not want any Dad “greeting” my daughter that she does not know. Sorry.
People often complain about churches being full of hypocrites. I’m sure Watermark has its share. But what I saw today was men out there serving, treating others as they would like to be treated, and setting a good example. I can’t blame them for not wanting to be out in the weather (whatever it may be) working carpool before going to the office. The dads today probably took at least a half day off work to be there.
I don’t think anyone is saying that dads only talk on the phone, make deals or evangelize, the consensus is that there’s no NEED for Dads to stand around yucking it up with students, but there is a NEED for volunteers to take on the carpool situation which is a hot topic at this school and make it a safer place for everyone.
And now that Nicke Steno says that a Dad’s Club meeting had a speaker that touts “biblical sexuality,” I’m even more dubious about Dad’s Club president’s motives.
We seem to forget that most of the men in our community go to work every day so that their wives can stay home & care for their children. I consider volunteering at the schools a part of my job as a stay-at-home mom. I would never expect my husband to take on any volunteer job at the school during the workday. For those dads who have the time and spend it volunteering at the school, I can simply say “Thank you.” So, do we need dads greeting students one morning a week in the hallways, no, but I also don’t expect them to take on the job of carpool patrol.
As far as the speaker at the Dad’s Club meeting, the topic was most likely announced in advance, and dads could choose to attend or not.
3-5 Dads from this blog for one week. Anyone?
You’ve had a mom here express she’s uncomfortable with the men greeting the kids, so take it outside. Working the carpool you have the parents there to witness the interaction. Take it to the cafeteria, supply rooms, TAG rooms, etc. where there is already the tradition of volunteering. It’s obvious that the thought of the greeters makes many mom volunteers roll their eyes at the least, seethe with rage at the most – awesome dad’s club wants to give of their time, it’s needed and wanted, just not in a worthless, fluffy, potentially creepy greeter capacity. And leave your bible’s at home, whatever you decide to do.
Separation of church and state is there for a reason.
Ms. Norton – please cancel this ill thought out plan and put them to use where we need them — IN THE CARPOOL LINE. That ‘s where everyone’s true colors are displayed, no matter how many times a week you go to church!
PS – Our family will no longer be paying Dad’s Club dues if there are speakers as mentioned above. I will instead add it to the Mad for Plaid donation that we make, where I know it will be used to benefit our school, not paying some ideologue to come speak on “biblical sexuality.” Simply outrageous.
Any at MIS?
Did anyone show up? Greeters? Or Carpool helpers?
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