This post by Clamato popped up in the "Rest of the World" forum and I'm relocating it here.
quote:
In the news....again Seems stupid to cut the program...but I am in a "traditional" household. When I went...I wasn't intentionally disruptive. But I guarantee that most children were distracted by the physical size of my head. It's really quite large.
I think the article was unfortunately very one sided and negative. There was little mention of the myriad reasons for shutting the program down nor was there mention of any positive alternatives that might come out of this that might actually serve the D41 community better. Many "stakeholders" (god, I love that term!) have suggested for years that something like Hadley's 3rd Thursday might be a better option-limit it to one day a month to lessen the disruptions and allow BOTH Mom and Dad to participate.
I discussed this with Dr. Riebock this morning, and while we agreed to disagree on the drastic step taken to suspend the program, we both agree that changes must be made. I read through all the surveys taken by teachers in the Spring of 2006 over the program, and it's clear it is not very well received by some. However, most of the dads I have talked to are very disappointed, as it has become part of their family culture. My view is that the positives of the program are too important to warrant a wholesale suspension. That being: father involvement in the schools, fathers connection to their children's life at school, ability to better parent their children after observing them in the context of school, and plain old relationship building between father and child. However, I understand why the step was taken, and have assurance that a quick cycle of evaluation will be completed to propose recommendations for "Watch D.O.G.S II" and/or a new program.
And would somebody post that Watch D.O.G.S. icon in this thread? It's a kick.
Doug Craig must be spinning in his......wait. He only retired, right? Doug Craig must be rolling about on a beach in Florida in anger over his program being dispatched.
