Province-Wide School Crossing Guard Appreciation Drawing Contest Now Open To Submissions

As part of School Crossing Guard Appreciation Week, the Ontario Traffic Council’s School Crossing Programs Committee is hosting a province-wide School Crossing Guard Appreciation Drawing Contest for children across Ontario.

photo courtesy of the city of peterborough, facebook.

This contest invites students to express their appreciation for School Crossing Guards through art, while helping schools and communities take part in the celebration in a meaningful and engaging way.

This year’s contest theme is Celebrating Our School Crossing Guards, and students aged 4 to 14 are encouraged to participate.

Winning drawings will be featured on official thank-you cards distributed during School Crossing Guard Appreciation Week from June 1 to 5.

The contest opened Feb. 2 and will close Mar. 31, with the winners announced on April 13. Artwork can be submitted via email.

For more information such as contest rules and artwork guidelines, visit the website.

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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. 

The Ontario Traffic Council held a drawing contest themed ‘Celebrating Our School Crossing Guards’ which received 179 drawing submissions from 50 schools across Ontario including Peterborough.

The winning submissions have been formatted into thank you cards and social media graphics that are available for free download on the Ontario Traffic Council website. 

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Crossing Guard Appreciation Week June 5 to 9

The City of Peterborough is encouraging residents to show their support and appreciation for their neighbourhood crossing guards during Crossing Guard Appreciation Week from June 5 to 9.

photo courtesy of the city of peterborough.

“It's important to recognize the many people working as crossing guards who help our students have a safe journey to and from school each day. As a community, we count on their friendly, dedicated commitment to the safety of our children,” said Councillor Keith Riel, transportation portfolio chair. “We hope that students, parents, and drivers take a moment this week to tell our crossing guards how much you appreciate them.”

If you are interested in becoming a crossing guard with the City of Peterborough, apply online or contact the City via phone 705-742-7777 ext. 1787 or by email.

Quick facts:

• The City of Peterborough currently employs 52 school crossing guards and is looking to fill more positions for September 2023.

• 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

Support your local crossing guards by:

Stop when a crossing guard raises his or her 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.

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Peterborough Crossing Guard/Hero Ken Wandless Has Died

photo via CHEX TV

Crossing guards are heroes who keep our kids safe. Exhibit A: Ken Wandless, a longtime volunteer/crossing guard at Prince of Wales Public School.

Ken also volunteered in the school library.

Ken has passed away but no one will ever forget all the lives he touched.

The flag is flying at half-mast in Ken's honour at Prince of Wales.

Watch this segment on Ken from CHEX TV in 2012.

R.I.P. Ken.

Our community is one less today. RIP Ken. pic.twitter.com/CEePm62wBa

— Prince of Wales PS (@powptbo) February 19, 2015

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