Advertisement

Pasco schools welcome dads as volunteers

 
Moon Lake Elementary School fifth-grader Hope McCaffrey, 10, spends some one-on-one time reading to volunteer David Molodecki, 51.
Moon Lake Elementary School fifth-grader Hope McCaffrey, 10, spends some one-on-one time reading to volunteer David Molodecki, 51.
Published Oct. 15, 2014

NEW PORT RICHEY — David Molodecki was smiling big as he made his way down the covered walkway at Moon Lake Elementary School.

"Hey, you got a haircut," someone called out as the older man doled out high-fives to every upraised hand in a long line of youngsters headed in the opposite direction.

"Yes, I did," he said, before rounding the corner to sit and listen to a couple of fifth-graders sounding out words outside Nicole Gunn's fifth-grade classroom.

"Chasm — I can never say that word," said Hope McCaffrey, 10, as she read from a book called Rachel Carson: Pioneer of Ecology.

But Molodecki was there to set things right and gently correct her again when she tripped over the word "ancient."

"He actually helps us," Hope said, after finishing the third chapter. "Some of the words I don't understand. He helps us to understand. And it's wonderful to have the company."

Molodecki also enjoys the company in his time serving as part of the Watch DOGS (Dads of Great Students) at Moon Lake.

Watch DOGS, a program of the National Center for Fathering, debuted at Moon Lake during the 2013-14 school year under the guidance of behavioral specialists Fred Monfett and Monte Werner. More than 4,000 schools in 46 states participate in the volunteer program that promotes the importance of education and school safety by recruiting positive male role models.

The idea is to bring father figures into schools to volunteer for one day — a realistic commitment for those who have a day job.

Molodecki signed up for a one-day stint, but has spent three days at the school and promises to be back for more.

"It's excellent, excellent. I like it. The kids like it," he said.

It's the kind of thing, in fact, that the father of nine wished he was able to do when his older kids were younger — and so was he. But full-time work as an electrical technician and putting food on the table came first.

Now 54 and disabled, Molodecki has some time to spend at school with his youngest sons, David, 8, and Dylan, 7, as well as other students.

It's fun when Dad comes to school, David said. "He always goes to P.E. with us. I like that."

The Watch DOGS are a welcome presence on campus for kids and teachers alike.

"They come in and the kids are so excited," Gunn said. "For me, it's like having an extra set of eyes and ears. It's great that men are taking time and making an impact on the lives of the kids. Not all of these kids have a positive male role model."

The program gets high marks all around, according to Elise Landahl, principal at Moon Lake.

As is typical in elementary schools, the number of male staff members is in the single digits. When it comes to volunteering, women always win out, Landahl said.

"Having fathers and male role models in the school wasn't something we were able to do before," she said. "In the past it was always the moms coming in. This is a great way to get the dads in and make them feel comfortable."

While there, Watch DOGS participate in a variety of activities throughout the day, including tossing a ball in physical education class, helping individual students with class work and opening milk cartons during lunch. Then, of course, there's all that high-fiving.

After volunteering once, some dads keep coming back, Landahl said. "I think they see their impact and how they are able to make a connection with their kid, but other kids as well."

The fathers also get an eye-opening experience, seeing what goes on during their child's day, Landahl said.

"I'm surprised that the kids do so well," Molodecki said, adding that one of his favorite tasks is handing out "reward" tickets that students who display model behavior or go the extra mile academically can turn in for prizes. "Each and every one of these kids are hard workers. It's like 'Wow!' "

The key to success, Monfett said, is to get dads, granddads and other father figures to come in that first time.

"A lot of times they're apprehensive at first, but once they get here we keep them busy. They seem to enjoy that," he said. "And they really love the response they get. They feel the warmth from their own kids, but also from the other kids. I tell them that by the end of the day their hands are going to be sore from giving high-fives. They're like rock stars around here."

Contact Michele Miller at mmiller@tampabay.com or at (727) 869-6251. Follow @mimichele525.