Currently 8-10 students work each morning before school and each afternoon at dismissal reminding students to walk, stay on sidewalks, and to not ride bikes or scooters on school property. The students also provide assistance for students at the school’s pick-up and drop-off area. You can easily identify squad members who are on duty by their orange safety vests and their service with a smile demeanor.
I recently sat down for lunch with three members of the squad and learned a lot about why they joined the squad. Kayla likes to remind students to follow rules so that they won’t get into trouble, Cade became interested in joining after reading about the safety squad in The Diary of a Wimpy Kid series, and Vincent wants to do his part to see that no one gets pushed or hurt. The students also shared that they think the squad could do even more to promote safety if they added more stations including some inside the hallways. The students told me that they have learned that their peers respond best to their reminders when they use positive phrases such as “please walk” rather than “no running”.
Just prior to Halloween the group sold safety glow bracelets as a fundraiser. Proceeds will be used to buy bicycle helmets which will be used as prizes at the bike rodeo that will be part of the school Health and Wellness Fair this spring.
Please be sure and give a thumbs-up greeting to these outstanding student volunteers the next time you see them in action, doing their part to keep other Hawks safe.
