Teachers, volunteers and first responders come every second Tuesday of the month to welcome middle school students to start class.
SAN ANTONIO — East Central ISD is taking a new approach to engage students and adults through their Dudes at the Door Program.
The program involves men in the East Central ISD community passing on some positivity to the students.
More than 1200 students get a high five at Legacy Middle School to smile on their way in.
“The kids just have a different air about it and they stand a little bit taller. There’s more laughter, there’s no more smiles. They seem to be more excited for the day,” said Shane McKay, ECISD Board for Student and Community Engagement Executive Director.
Officers, firefighters, coaches, teachers and other men in East Central ISD show up on the second Tuesday of every month for the program.
“We are just trying to pump them up and let them know that we support them. And we’re here for them and we love them,” said George Dranowksy, East Central ISD Police Chief.
Dudes at the Door started in January with 12 men and is being done at Legacy and Heritage Middle School.
It gives students positive male role models and endless support.
“You turn on the TV. What do you see? Nothing but negativity. We gotta show some positive effort here, man. Tell these kids it’s not that bad. We’re here to help you,” said Dranowsky.
East Central ISD hopes the program makes a positive impact on student attendance.
The district plans to bring Dudes at the Door to their new middle school opening in the fall.
“The more that our community can be engaged in their and our children’s learning, the better chance that our kids have of being successful,” said McKay.
Click here to be apart of the Dudes at the Door program.
All men will have to go through a background check before they can volunteer.