Your program’s success depends on two key factors: your principal and parent group. Having a visible and participating school administrator as group leader guarantees the program’s success. The principal, because of their daily presence at the school, can best convey safety concerns and keep on top of the program’s progress. The volunteers become the principal’s right hand in making their school and community safer.
Who's Involved?
- Students through assemblies and promotion within the school.
- Staff and volunteers through in-service with the principal and teachers.
- The City Transportation Department will assist the committee to review the school's perimeter to ensure proper signs are in place.
- The Edmonton Police Service will provide participation and follow-up enforcement after a scheduled patrol day.
How the Program Works
Volunteers assigned to specific areas around the school identify and work to eliminate traffic safety problems. We advocate a non-confrontational approach and encourage parents and or school staff to be involved. The use of traffic cones to deter individuals from unlawful or unsafe parking is suggested and a parent patrol can be utilized to ensure traffic cones are in place. This doesn't necessarily mean a permanent commitment each day, but should be a commitment by the parent group to get involved to make the school a safer place for everyone.
We also advocate the use of the Point, Pause and Proceed method of crossing the street for both children and adults. Parent Parking Patrols may be involved in sidewalk patrols. Keeping children away from the busy and dangerous bus zones and ensuring order among the youngsters as they leave the school and get ready to board the school bus, crossing streets, and entering/exiting their parents vehicles are all part of Parent Parking Patrol. The wearing of traffic vests is a positive signal to all children and parents and serves as a significant presence at those schools where parents and staff volunteers make a difference.
On Patrol Day:
Parent Parking Patrol (PPP) volunteers MUST wear a reflective safety vest.
Remember: A pleasant, "Thank you for driving safely today," goes a long way with drivers obeying the traffic regulations in your zone.
To Ensure PPP Works At Your School:
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Publish regular updates in your school’s newsletter: thank parents and students for their support; BE POSITIVE!
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Prepare a poster for concerts and community gatherings at the school. Try a poster contest at the school.