PEYTON, COLO. --

One District 49 elementary school is bringing watchdogs into their classrooms, but it's not exactly like what it sounds.  

At Meridian Ranch Elementary School WatchDOGS are on the prowl.

“They work in the library, they work in the lunch room, the playground and just do all kinds of things that we need them to do,” Erica Mason, principal at Meridian Ranch Elementary said.

But they aren't actually dogs, rather “Dads Of Great Students,” though sometimes they can be granddads, uncles or even older brothers.

“Volunteers and teachers are primarily females, so it’s just nice to see more males in the school,” Mason said.

These so-called “WatchDOGS” volunteer their time to be an extra set of eyes, ears and hands in the classroom.

“It’s a good opportunity to interact with the kids. Most WatchDOGS I guess [watch] their kids, in my case grandchildren,” David Kercheval, a WatchDOGS volunteer, said.

Mason said it’s important for students to have a good male role model.

“Boys like to see another good role model on the playground and the lunch room, being active in the schools. And it’s showing that dads value education too,” Mason said.

The WatchDOGS said they enjoy the extra time with their family, which makes it a win-win situation for everyone involved.

“I spend a lot of time with them, obviously out of school, but very little time in the classroom,” Kercheval said. “The grandsons really like the fact that I’m here, for whatever reasons, and I’m sure the other kids like to see their dads and granddads here."

Mason agreed.

“It's just a great program for people, for dads to be involved with the school in a meaningful way,” Mason said.