The Peel Children's Safety Village

Teachers

Safety Patroller Program

History

The Canadian Automobile Association first developed the school safety patrol program in Canada in 1929. During this time, the automobile was quickly rising in popularity and children aged four to fourteen were being struck at an alarmingly high rate. The program's aim was to protect and educate these youngsters from becoming injured or killed in traffic.

Since then, patrollers have worked hard every school day, rain or shine, to help thousands of young school children cross roads and exit school buses safely. Their dedication continues to pay off; there have been over 60 cases in which a patroller has saved a person, usually a fellow student, from serious injury or death. And thanks to quality training materials and guidelines, there have never been any serious injuries or deaths attributed to the negligence of a patroller while on duty in North America.

Why by a Patroller?

Increased safety is only one way children benefit from the school safety patrol program. It also exposes them to citizenship. Patrollers experience a rewarding sense of satisfaction from being volunteers and being role models for younger students helps to reinforce self-esteem and build leadership skills.

Patrollers also accept responsibility for other people's safety. They know that performing their duties faithfully and responsibly each day will help prevent accidents and injuries.

The importance of teamwork is another value the program helps to develop. Trust and co-operation is fostered among students who learn that what they do and how they behave reflects upon all patrollers, not just themselves.

Strong partnerships between the CAA, Boards of Education, transportation companies, municipal governments and the Peel Children's Safety Village - each of whom play a supporting role - ensure the program's continued success.

Duties of Patrollers

Bus patrollers help children to get on and off school buses safely. Under the direction of the bus driver, they control the flow of students into the street while boarding and leaving the bus. Bus patrollers also play an important role to ensure children are not in the area around the bus before the driver pulls away from the curb.

How to Initiate the Program in Your School

The Peel Children's Safety Village trains over 2,000 patrollers each September. If you feel your school deserves a patroller program, please contact us at (905) 453-3311 ext. 4070 to set up a training session.