NEWS RELEASE
STUDENT TRANSPORTATION SERVICES OF WATERLOO REGION
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On behalf of Waterloo region Townships and Cities, Student Transportation Services of Waterloo Region (STSWR) is encouraging students in Waterloo region to show their support and appreciation for Crossing Guards with an art contest delivered by the Ontario Traffic Council. Winning submissions will be featured locally and in communities across Ontario during Crossing Guard Appreciation Week this year, June 2nd - 6th, 2025.
You can help to recognize the heroes who help our young residents with safe commutes to and from school every day. Art must be submitted by March 31, 2025. Submission details can be found at https://otc.org/school-crossing-guard/ Submissions that cc [email protected] will also be entered into a local contest for a $25 gift certificate to Michaels Arts and Craft store.
“Our School Travel Planning team works with schools to create safer routes to school and to encourage active transportation. Crossing Guards form an integral part of the fabric of our communities to make those trips possible. They provide protections for students and signals to drivers to ensure safety every school day, regardless of the weather,” says Benoit Bourgault, General Manager at STSWR.
School Travel Planner Hayat Shariff is excited about the opportunity for the communities she works with; “I’ve heard a lot of stories from families indicating how meaningful Crossing Guards are to them and I am excited to see how that is displayed through the artistic talents of our amazing students.”
Adults, you can support our Crossing Guard Programs in other ways, too:
- Become a Crossing Guard! Waterloo region municipalities employ over 200 Crossing Guards and they hire throughout the school year. Search your municipal website for openings.
- As a driver, always stop and wait until children and Crossing Guards have cleared the entire roadway at school crossings before proceeding; all vehicles and cyclists are required to do so by the Ontario Highway Traffic Act.
- And remember this acrostic:
- Stop when a School 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 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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