MEDIA RELEASE: CAA Announces Provincial School Safety Award, Winners

Two students who calmly helped rescue their peers and a supervisor who has ensured the safety of her patrollers for three decades are being recognized for their efforts.

Isabelle Wallace, 12, and Chase Rodgers, 12, received the 2022-2023 CAA School Safety Patroller of the Year award in recognition of their quick response when the school bus they were travelling on slid into a ditch in March.

Ashley Hopkins, the vice principal of Primrose Elementary School in Mulmur, Ontario nominated the pair, “they jumped right into action, making sure all students were okay and reassuring them that they were safe,” she said.

Using the skills they learned through the CAA School Safety Patrol program, the two helped the bus driver evacuate the bus and escorted their fellow classmates to safety while they waited for help, said Hopkins.

Stephanie Pennesi, who is winding down her 31-year teaching career at June Avenue Public School in Guelph, received the CAA School Safety Patrol Supervisor of the Year award for her passion and dedication to the role of patrol supervisor, one she has held for 29 years.

Constable Sherry Pettapiece with the Guelph Police and fellow patrol supervisor Dianne Chadder nominated her. Pennesi has been recognized for her dedication before, winning the City of Guelph’s Patrol Supervisor of the Year in 2008 and 2016.

“Patrol Supervisors are an integral piece of the program, and Stephanie has been an amazing role model. The kids adore her, and I know I could always count on her professionalism and amazing depth of knowledge to help administer the program at June Avenue Public School,” says Constable Pettapiece.

Pennesi has been recognized for her dedication before, winning the City of Guelph’s Patrol Supervisor of the year in 2008 and 2016.

“The CAA School Safety Patrol program has kept students safe in school zones since the 1920s by helping students at school crossings and on school buses,” said Teresa Di Felice, assistant vice president, CAA South Central Ontario. “Thank you to all our patrollers, teachers, schools, police, and busing consortiums partners who help make this important safety program a success,” she added.

About 20,000 dedicated student volunteers participate in the CAA School Safety Patrol Program and give their time to help keep their peers safe at school crossings and on school buses in more than 900 schools across Ontario.