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Chief
Watch DOG Tom Warner talks to several students as he
hands out Friday afternoon popcorn
to those being rewarded for
exceptional behavior that week.
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Warner:
“A truly humbling experience”
By Bob Robinson
GREENVILLE – One student dropped her popcorn bag then retrieved it,
leaving several kernels lying on the floor. Another student dropped a
kernel… without a second thought she picked it up and popped it into
her mouth.
“Hey guys, sit down over here. At this end… keep the mess in one
place.” Tom Warner, Chief Watch DOG and popcorn maker at Woodland
Heights Elementary School issued the directive. The kids quickly
complied. Warner is there every Friday popping popcorn to give to the
kids teachers want to reward for being “exceptional” that week.
Typically it’s one student per room, but sometimes several will come
down for their popcorn snack.
The Watch DOGS program (Dads Of Great Students) kick-off was Oct. 29.
It was started by the Woodland Heights PTA. Warner was drafted…
“My wife and I went to PTA,” he said. “I was the only male present…
everyone pointed in my direction.” Three months later, on Jan. 24, he
said “If I could be here full time I would.”
Warner owns his own business, Warner Construction Company, noting he
wouldn’t be able to do this if he didn’t. He brings his son, Wyatt, a
kindergartner, and often sticks around to schedule Watch DOGS and
handle other volunteer needs. Warner has called off days he could have
worked “just to be here.” Much of his time is spent scheduling, making
phone calls.
Lisa Maher, Woodland Assistant Principal, said Warner is always there
in the morning to greet volunteers when they arrive.
“He greets and talks to them, shows them what they’ll be doing,” she
said. Out of 18 who have signed up 16 have been at the school or are on
the schedule to come in. “Everyone who has volunteered said they will
be back. At the end of the day they have a new perspective.”
Warner calls working with the kids a “truly humbling experience.” He
noted his family is old-fashioned… “We try to help those who can’t help
themselves. I feel truly blessed I can be here.”
Kids embrace that father figure, he said. “You don’t realize how much
of an influence it has at this level.” It’s sad but he was glad they
were able to do it. “If we can keep this going, we can help kids get
molded, see good male role models.”
Sometime these kids will do things for a volunteer they won’t do for
their teacher. Warner said there was one student who would write his
first name or his last name, but not both in the same sentence. “He did
it for me… first time.”
No sooner had Warner cleaned up the popcorn machine when it was time
for the school’s “Backpack Program” where food is handed out to kids to
take home… possibly their only meal for the weekend.
He noted again he felt privileged to be able to do this, adding “when
you see kids light up… it makes your day.”
Published courtesy
of the Early Bird
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Left
to right, Mia, Savannah and Brookelynn enjoy hamming
for the camera. Friday afternoon is popcorn day. Teachers
send down a
student – sometimes several – who have earned the privilege with their
exceptional behavior.
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Warner
and his son, Wyatt.
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