1st Watch D.O.G.S. meeting Sept. 18th @5pm!

Watch D.O.G.S. (Dads of Great Students) is a family and community engagement educational initiative that has been a part of Silver Rail for years!  We are looking forward to inviting fathers, grandfathers, uncles, or other father figures to participate in the Watch D.O.G.S. program. At Silver Rail that looks like spending the day or half-day volunteering greeting students at morning arrival, working and helping out in classrooms, eating with students at lunch, and playing with students at recess on the playground.

Watch DOG Volunteer Process

  1. Complete the Sign Up form
    Firstly, if you have not already done so, please fill out the Sign Up form, so that I have all your updated information up to date. I ask that you do this each year since some of your kiddos might be new or no longer at Silver Rail.

  2. Complete BLS Volunteer Application
    Each school year, you will need to have a completed and approved application through the BIB system. If you have any issues, please reach out to Terri at terri.radcliff@bend.k12.or.us and Molly at molly.jimenez@bend.k12.or.us at Silver Rail and they can assist you.

  3. Attend an Orientation (if possible)
    Once per year we will have an orientation for those that are new to the program or for those that have been a Watch DOG before, to come and share their experiences. The fall 2024 Orientation has not yet been scheduled - check back soon!

Watch DOG Scheduling Process

  1. Check the Silver Rail Watch Dogs Calendar below to see what days are without Watch Dogs or have less than 2 Watch Dogs in a given week (unless you see dates where Watch Dogs are needed).

  2. Call or Email Silver Rail with your WatchDog date(s).
    Terri or Molly in the front office team at Silver Rail will confirm if the date(s) is available. After confirming an open date(s), the school team will send you a confirmation calendar invite. We will look to limit it to two Watch Dogs per day on special days and no more than 2 Watch Dogs scheduled per week when possible. You can email Terri at terri.radcliff@bend.k12.or.us and Molly at molly.jimenez@bend.k12.or.us. In the subject line write, "WatchDog Date Request". You can also call the front office to schedule your WatchDog volunteer day: (541) 355-2900.

  3. Confirm Your Invite
    When you receive the invite, click Yes to confirm your spot. That way the school knows you've received it and the date becomes reserved. If something comes up, and you are not able to make your day, please update the invite request to No and also send an email or call Terri or Molly. By doing this, the Silver Rail team will know that your day no longer works, can reschedule or make other necessary changes on their end.

Watch DOG Volunteer Day

  1. Review Your Schedule
    Depending on timing, Silver Rail will send out a schedule of what your day will look like. This isn't always possible due to timing, but you will receive this when you arrive at school. We will always get you time with your kiddos, but your help will be spread across the school, so that your presence and awesomeness is made available to all those kiddos! A sample can be found in the links below.

  2. Wear Your Watch DOG T-shirt
    You will need to purchase one of the Watch DOG t-shirts . You can purchase your Watch Dog Shirt at our Spirit Gear store, and at the same support your Silver Rail Elementary PTO! We do this for consistency amongst all Watch DOGS that come through the school.

  3. Follow the Guidelines
    During your day, there are a number of general Do's and Don't. The Silver Rail staff will let you know what these are. These ensure that we're offering the best support for our kiddos throughout our day.

  4. Have Fun!
    If you're anything like me, you're giving your time not just to your littles, but also to all the other kids that may or may not have someone like yourself in their lives. As fathers, step-dads, guardians, grandfathers, uncles, brothers, or any other male role model, it is our responsibility to our community to show up and be supportive to our youth. This can be done by a simple smile, a high five, a football toss, or double date on the swings.

    There is also something special with connecting with the teacher or administrator that you won't get to experience in any other environment. The sense of gratitude and humility you will feel at the end of the day is worth all the effort!