The purpose of this resource is to encourage and model safe pedestrian behaviour to students and the school community. It is intended for students in Grades 4 through 8.
Description
A School Safety Patrol is usually formed as a team of student volunteer patrollers, supervised by a teacher or school principal. Student safety patrollers help their peers to safely navigate the busy environment around the school site at the beginning and end of each school day. The patrollers encourage and model safe behaviour to their peers and the broader community.
Patrollers wear bright-coloured vests for visibility and are trained to monitor school crossings near their school (foot patrollers), or to help student passengers get on and off the school bus (bus patrollers). By participating in a School Safety Patrol, students learn leadership skills, confidence, and independence.
What you will need
- A teacher, principal, or other member of school staff to act as Patrol Supervisor
- Training materials to prepare student volunteers
- Map of patrol locations
- Schedule of patrol shifts
- High-visibility vests for students and supervisors
- Prizes/rewards for students participating in the patrol
Who can help
The Canadian Automobile Association (CAA) has a registered School Safety Patrol Program that has been operating in Canada for almost 100 years.
The other organisations that can help a school with setting up and running a School Safety Patrol are local police services, municipalities, school boards, and Student Transportation Consortia.
Key words
School Zone Safety, pedestrian safety, leader, ambassador, student, safety, patrol, crossing, school bus.