May proclaimed as CAA School Safety Patrol Month

CANORA — The month of May has been proclaimed by the Honourable Dustin Duncan, Minister of Education, as CAA School Safety Patrol Month in Saskatchewan. The entire month will be devoted to recognizing and thanking the thousands of patrollers for their valuable volunteer work and dedication in promoting school zone safety in Saskatchewan school zones.

Safety patrollers at Canora Junior Elementary School were recognized for their good work on May 13. “Yes, we gave them all a pizza party today and bought them all a hat that they get to wear for the rest of the month, even in school. They were all also given a bag full of safety patrol ‘goodies,’” said Principal Rod Steciuk.

“I would like to commend the 4,100 Safety Patrollers across Saskatchewan who help keep school zones safe as our children are going to and from school,” Education Minister Dustin Duncan said in a release. “CAA School Safety Patrol Month is a fitting way to recognize and pay tribute to the province’s many safety patrols - the young volunteer leaders in our school communities.”

“The CAA School Safety Patrol program is successful thanks to the combined support of patrollers, coordinators, school divisions, parents, teachers, law enforcement, and valued partners,” Fred Titanich, President and CEO of CAA Saskatchewan said.

To recognize the patrollers commitment, CAA Saskatchewan is providing schools a small honourarium to help school coordinators plan a patroller celebration, such as a pizza party or afternoon movie, in their school and community. Patrollers will also receive a CAA School Safety Patrol gift bag. According to Vanora Gagnier, CAA School Safety Patrol Coordinator, “We wanted to thank our patrollers for the valuable volunteer safety service they provide by helping fellow schoolmates cross streets safely to and from school each and every school day.”

For details on the CAA School Safety Patrol program, like us on facebook.com/CAASKSchoolSafetyPatrol/.

CAA Saskatchewan has owned and managed the CAA School Safety Patrol program since 1951, providing training materials, patroller handbooks, stop paddles, and reflective vests free of charge. There are approximately 4,100 patrollers in 150 schools from 70 Saskatchewan communities.

CAA School Safety Patrol registration information is available at caask.ca/patrollers.