Introducing REBEL WATCH:
CONNECT • INSPIRE • OBSERVE • SERVE
(formerly WATCH D.O.G.S.)
As many of you know, American Academy has long participated in the national WATCH D.O.G.S. program, an initiative encouraging fathers and male role models to be actively involved in schools. The program’s core mission has always aligned beautifully with ours:
- Promoting positive adult role models
- Supporting family engagement
- Enhancing student safety
- Strengthening our community
As the program in our school has grown, we saw an opportunity to tailor this program even more closely to who we are as American Academy—our culture, our values, and our commitment to school safety. With that in mind, we are excited to announce our full rebranding of WATCH D.O.G.S. to REBEL WATCH.
Why the Change?
This rebrand allows us to:
• Put an AA stamp on the program that better reflects our Rebel identity and culture
• Emphasize safety and security—the primary purpose of the program
• Formally expand participation and welcome all caring adults
(dads, moms, grandparents, aunts, uncles—everyone is welcome!)
• Increase visibility on campus with our new red-and-blue vests and updated logo
• Clearly define roles so volunteers feel confident and prepared during their time onsite
Beginning this semester, you’ll see our REBEL WATCH volunteers on campus wearing highly visible red and blue vests with our new logo. You’ll even see Magnus, the LM Rebel Watch pup, sporting a new red vest. When you see someone in one of these vests, you’ll know exactly who they are and the important role they’re serving.
A Grateful Thank-You to Our Volunteers
A huge and heartfelt thank-you to the incredible volunteers who have already been serving in this role. Your presence on campus matters more than you know—you help build community, support our staff, and most importantly, serve as those extra eyes and ears that help keep our schools safe.
We appreciate you, and we’re excited to grow the program alongside you.
Interested in Joining REBEL WATCH?
We’d love to welcome more families into this meaningful and flexible volunteer opportunity. Whether you can give one day a year or one day a week—every bit makes a difference.
On this page, you’ll learn more about Rebel Watch, see the updated vests and find out what to expect when volunteering.
Staying Informed About School Safety
School safety remains our highest priority, and REBEL WATCH is just one part of our overall approach. If you’d like to better understand how emergency responses are structured across all DCSD schools—including American Academy—you can review the Standard Response Protocol (SRP) information here. This resource explains the five SRP actions (Hold, Secure, Lockdown, Evacuate, Shelter) and provides guidance on what families can do during an emergency.
We were very fortunate to have Jonny Grusing, Director of School Safety and Security for Douglas County School District, come to campus in December to address our Rebel Watch volunteers and talk more in depth about SRP and the role of Rebel Watch. We introduced our new logo and gear at this event, and Magnus tried on his new vest (photos below).