Julie Gravel and Patrice Lanthier, both with the Consortium de Transport Scolaire de l'Est (CTSE), were recently honoured by CAA for their unwavering dedication to CAA’s School Safety Patrol® program.

Since joining the program in 2015, CTSE has been a staunch advocate for the CAA School Safety Patrol program, mandating its implementation across all school buses within the consortium. For the 2023/2024 school year, CTSE provided training to more than 27 schools, benefiting a total of 525 Bus Patrollers.

Initially led by Lanthier, who championed the program upon joining in 2015, the initiative transitioned to Gravel in 2020. Together, they have been instrumental in fostering a culture of safety and recognition among school Patrollers in their region.

Collaborating with local partners such as bus operators, police services, and the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), Lanthier, Gravel, and the entire CTSE team have established a robust foundation of support for Patrollers in their area.

“Engaging in CAA’s School Safety Patrol program is not just a choice for us—it’s a shared responsibility to safeguard the well-being of our students,” says Patrice Lanthier. “This award reinforces the importance of our work and motivates us to continue collaborating for the safety of our community.”

CTSE demonstrates its commitment to creating an engaging and supportive environment by recognizing Patrollers with special activities, certificates of appreciation, and unique events. From pizza parties for student Patrollers to celebrating those who consistently wear their vests on duty, CTSE goes above and beyond to show appreciation.

“We believe in genuinely recognizing the hard work and dedication of our Patrollers,” says Julie Gravel, Lead Transport Technician at CTSE. “By acknowledging their efforts, we hope to inspire them further as leaders in community safety.”

Beyond supporting Patrollers, Gravel has been pivotal in fostering relationships between Patrol Supervisors and bus drivers. By ensuring schools have all necessary program materials and emphasizing the distribution of bus reference sheets to drivers, Gravel has streamlined and enhanced the School Safety Patrol program's efficiency.

“When it comes to the success of the School Safety Patrol program, it truly takes a village,” says Kari Drue Abraham, Community Program Consultant at CAA SCO. “The proactive measures taken by the CTSE team to promote collaboration and empower Safety Patrollers not only strengthen the program in their region but also exemplify how a united front is key to running the program effectively.”

About the CAA School Safety Patrol Program The CAA School Safety Patrol program has been ensuring the safety of students in school zones and on buses since the 1920s. With approximately 900 schools in Ontario participating annually, the program is a collaborative effort involving CAA, police, school boards, teachers, busing consortia, parents, and thousands of dedicated student volunteers. For more information about the program and how you can help make school zones safer for everyone, visit www.caaschoolsafetypatrol.com.