City of Peterborough to Celebrate Crossing Guard Appreciation Week Starting Monday
/The City of Peterborough is encouraging everyone to show their support and appreciation for their neighbourhood crossing guards during Crossing Guard Appreciation Week starting Monday to June 7.
Photo courtesy of the City of Peterborough.
The initiative goes beyond a simple ‘thank you’ and strives to create a heightened awareness of these unsung heroes’ critical role in promoting safe and active travel to school according to the City.
“It's important to celebrate our dedicated staff working as crossing guards who help our students have a safe journey to and from school every day. As a community, we count on their steadfast commitment to the safety of our children, and we appreciate their friendly approach to community service,” said Councillor Don Vassiliadis. “We hope that students, parents, and drivers take a moment this week to tell our crossing guards how much you appreciate them.”
The City of Peterborough currently employs 52 school crossing guards and is looking to fill more positions for September. Anyone interested in applying can visit www.peterborough.ca/CrossingGuard or phone 705-742-7777 ext. 1787.
New Community Safety Zones on roads fronting elementary and secondary schools were implemented in December. Speed limits in school areas were reduced from 50 kilometres per hour to either 40 or 30 kilometres.
All vehicles and cyclists are required by the Ontario Highway Traffic Act to stop and wait until children and crossing guards have cleared the entire roadway at school crossings before proceeding.
To support your local crossing guards:
Stop when a crossing guard raises their stop sign.
Take notice of whether a guard is on duty and slow down when approaching school crossing locations.
Obey the law. Remain stopped until all children and the crossing guard have completely exited the roadway.
Proceed with caution – obey posted speed limits and observe all no stopping and no parking signs – park in designated areas only.
