A Winnipeg school and a grade 5 student were recently honoured by CAA Manitoba for their leadership and dedication in keeping their schools and community safe. The CAA School Safety Patrol® team at Maple Leaf School (River East Transcona School Division) received the first-place trophy for being the top school safety patrol program in Winnipeg.

"Maple Leaf School's safety patrol team isn’t just the best in Winnipeg; they are an exemplary model for school safety patrols across the province,” says Milli Khan, community relations specialist at CAA Manitoba.

"Our Patrollers are deeply committed to safety, showing exceptional discipline, situational awareness and proficient signalling techniques. We are extremely proud of their outstanding efforts and the positive impact they have made in our community."

The Louise Staples Award was presented to Helen Bornais, an 11-year-old student from Linwood School (St. James-Assiniboia School Division). Named after a teacher at Greenway School who was instrumental in starting the very first patrol program in Winnipeg, the Louise Staples Trophy is presented annually to an outstanding student captain.

"Helen's unwavering commitment to upholding the highest standards of safety and responsibility is truly commendable," says Khan. "Patrollers like Helen are often the first and last point of contact for students, maintaining their dedication to school zone safety in all weather conditions, be it blustery cold winters, rainy days, windy weather or scorching heat.

The efforts of CAA School Safety Patrollers in Brandon were also recognized. Riverview School secured the top prize after earning second place in the 2021-22 school year. Linden Lanes School secured second place, followed by J.R. Reid School in third place.

"Judging traffic across four lanes requires effective communication, and our team rises to the challenge daily,” says Lisa Hall, school safety patrol supervisor at J.R. Reid School.

“Come rain or shine, you will find our patrol team stationed at their posts, taking their responsibility seriously and fulfilling their duty with utmost diligence."

The CAA School Safety Patrol program plays a vital role in educating young students about traffic safety and ensuring the safety of school-aged children as they travel to and from school. Each year, more than 280 Manitoba schools and nearly 8,600 students take part in the school safety patrol program.

Visit https://www.schoolpatrolmanitoba.com to learn more information about the program.