Logan Thomas was greeted with a smile when he arrived at school on a recent rainy morning.

The first grader and his dad, Justin Thomas, were escorted into White Oaks Elementary by Tyler Vollmar.

Vollmar is part of a very special group of “WATCH D.O.G.S.” who wear their bright yellow T-shirts when they volunteer at the school.

D.O.G.S. stands for “Dads Of Great Students.”

The men serve as positive role models. They help during parent drop-off and pickup, in classrooms, the cafeteria, during physical education time and anywhere else needed.

Sometimes they share their talents or just hand out high-fives in the hallways.

“It’s about being around and being present in the school,” said Vollmar, who has served in the U.S. Navy for about 18 years.

Three of his five children currently attend White Oaks, including Teddy Vollmar, whose fourth-grade teacher is James Brooks.

Brooks has been with VBCPS since he retired from the U.S. Marine Corps in 2016.

He got the program off the ground this year with six dads and hopes the number increases as word spreads about the participants’ positive impact on students.

WATCH D.O.G.S. is a national family and community engagement initiative designed to benefit students both socially and academically. Since 1998, more than 6,800 schools have launched the program that increases male involvement in schools.

Dads, grandfathers, uncles and father figures are welcome to join.

Principal Danielle Williams said WATCH D.O.G.S. has been a positive addition to White Oaks. She thanked Brooks for launching the program and the PTA for purchasing the training startup kits.

“It’s a great way for fathers and male role models to be actively involved in our school, supporting students’ learning and growth,” she said.

Brooks is one of five male teachers at White Oaks.

“The program helps foster a collaboration and inclusive school culture and creates a safer environment with additional adult presence,” he said.

“Building that community helps kids to feel safe and that they belong.”

Vollmar said he didn’t hesitate to join WATCH D.O.G.S.

“I enjoy being around not only my kids, but others.”

Setting a positive example could ultimately help improve grades, he said.

About 65% of the approximately 650 White Oaks Elementary students are military connected.

Vollmer, who has been deployed four times during his career, said he can relate to what some of the students are going through.

“We can help bring some added support during those difficult times.”

He has enjoyed getting to know the children and seeing familiar faces from his neighborhood or teams he’s coached.

Students have been very receptive, he added.

Once Vollmer worked with a young girl who wanted to learn how to shoot a basketball through a hoop, something she had never done. Watching her excitement after making that first shot was rewarding, he said.

“Supporting them and showing that they can accomplish their goals is going to set them up for success.”

Other VBCPS schools have WATCH D.O.G.S., including:  

Jeff Schroth, part of Indian Lakes Elementary’s program was named the school’s 2024 “Volunteer of the Year.” He was recognized for helping weekly in the cafeteria, hallways, library and during PE, music and art classes.

WATCH D.O.G.S. started at Kingston Elementary about 15 years ago and now has about 50 to 60 participants each year. Almost every day, there’s a member helping in the school.

For more than a decade, Malibu Elementary’s WATCH D.O.G.S. have volunteered at the school. Currently about 30 dads, grandfathers and stepdads rotate on Tuesdays and Thursdays.