May has been proclaimed as CAA School Safety Patrol Month in Saskatchewan by the Ministry of Education. “Patrollers are the community leaders of tomorrow and I am thankful for their hard work and dedication to pedestrian safety,” said Education Minister Jeremy Cockrill.

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.

“We are so proud of CAA Patrollers and the job they do as safety volunteers,” said Angel Blair, CAA School Safety Patrol Coordinator. “We know that school zones are congested with all kinds of traffic and that drivers can be distracted making the job of a CAA School Safety Patroller an important one. We are happy to recognize the time and effort put in by these young safety ambassadors who help keep our students and school zones safe.”

CAA would like to remind drivers to watch for safety patrollers on duty and drive according to the posted speed limit. The CAA School Safety Patrol program is successful thanks to the combined support of municipal police, RCMP, school safety patrol coordinators, school divisions, teachers, parents, and the student volunteer patrollers.

“Ever since my mom became an RCMP Officer I have wanted to help my community – and when I got a chance, I jumped for it, “said Trey Roodt, a Grade 7 CAA School Safety Patroller from Yorkton, “If you have ever wanted a chance to help your community, help everyone, your friends, your teachers, help your family, help other kids – be a safety patroller.”

“Students learn how to be independent but also responsible, and it’s an excellent way for them to build their self-confidence,” says Tammie Latimer, CAA School Safety Patrol Coordinator, from Yorkton. Latimer also explains how life skills learned by patrollers can help shape future leaders in the community, “I see children stand a little taller and be a little more responsible, not only when they are on patrol but also when they are out on the playground.”

To celebrate the accomplishments of the CAA School Safety Patrollers, CAA will be sending out thank you certificates and an honourarium so that each school community can celebrate their patrollers.

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 3,000 patrollers in around 100 schools from 45 Saskatchewan communities.

Learn more about CAA School Safety Patrol at: caask.ca/patrollers.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Angel Blair
Senior Communications Specialist / School Safety Patrol Coordinator
306.216.7362
angel.blair@caask.ca