Watch D.O.G.S. comes to Atlas

COEUR d'ALENE - A dads program that has proven popular in other local elementary schools is coming to Atlas Elementary.

The school has scheduled a pizza party at 6 p.m. Monday night to kick off Watch D.O.G.S., an acronym for Dads of Great Students and a program that emphasizes the importance of fathers in the school setting.

Watch D.O.G.S., which is part of the safe schools initiative of the National Center for Fathering, encourages dads to spend a day volunteering and serving as a positive role model at their child's school.

The benefits are that the school gains an extra set of eyes and ears, students see positive role models, and dads get an awareness of the school and the positive impact they can have.

All Atlas students and fathers or father-figures are invited.

The program was implemented earlier this year at Ramsey and Fernan elementary schools and is currently in more than 800 schools in 30 states.