Fathers help guard against violence; Arkansas: Springdale School District.

The father of a student in Springdale, Ark., initiated a program to prevent violence in schools that earned the Springdale School District the top state honor in the 2006 National Civic Star Award competition.

Jim Moore created Watch D.O.G.S. Across America[TM] after a 1998 middle-school shooting in Jonesboro, Ark., killed a teacher and four students. His aim was to prevent such violence from occurring at his oldest child's school, George Elementary in Springdale, or any other school through a parent-involvement program in which fathers and grandfathers volunteered as unobtrusive helpers to provide a security presence and to be positive role models for the students. Moore worked closely with the school's principal, Jim Lewis, in developing the program.

Participants serve as monitors at school entrances, as playground supervisors and as traffic controllers in the loading and unloading of cars and buses. They also read to classes, help during recess, eat lunch with students and participate in other activities where their presence may be beneficial.

"D.O.G.S." initially stood for "Dads of George Students." Today, the program is a 501(c3) educational organization helping thousands of fathers reconnect with their children at hundreds of schools nationwide.

Watch D.O.G.S. is a kindergarten through 12th grade program that enables fathers to volunteer for at least one day at their child's school during the school year.

Individuals sign tip either at a kick-off event or in the school office at anytime during the school year. The program is overseen by a "Top Dog" volunteer father who works with the school administrator to coordinate scheduling and to identify opportunities for Watch D.O.G.S. to provide assistance at the school.

The program is sponsored nationally by Tyson Foods, Inc. The sponsorship makes it possible for schools to register at no cost to become involved in the program. A start-up kit is available for purchase. Schools interested in establishing the program should call toll free 1-888-540-DOGS (3647), or e-mail [e-mail]. The Web site is www.watchdogs.net.

For more information on Springdale's experience, contact Superintendent Jim D. Rollins at Springdale School District, P.O. Box 8, Springdale, Ark. 72765-0008, or call [phone]. The e-mail address is [e-mail].