A Teacher's Perspective

There was a patrol group in force when I started at Peterson in 1989. I noticed that even though there was a "Captain" within the group, he did not really do any leadership duties. My major goal that 1st year was to assist in instilling pride with being a member of the safety patrol. I immediately obtained permission to order new patrol belts and badges for the Captain and Lieutenant. I started a routine of having the officers walk with me in the mornings to check on the street corners where the patrol was assigned. The officer would carry a clipboard where he could check off if the student members were on time and/or setting the proper example for the student body and parents crossing at the corner.

During the winter months the patrol were given a few extra minutes at the start of school to sit down and have a cup of hot chocolate that was prepared by the cafeteria employees. I also started a "Safety Patrol Member of the Month" idea where I would select, along with the assistance of the patrol officers, a member demonstrating great attitudes, fewest tardiness, clean belt, etc. Then I would take this student's photo and present him with a certificate and small trophy. This photo was then displayed on a small bulletin board located in the gymnasium. I wanted to get girls to also sign up to be a member and by the end of my first year, that was becoming a reality. Patrol members were also given the responsibility of leaving classes as soon as a fire alarm sounded and they would hurry down to their assigned exit to hold the doors open for students that were leaving the building.

Patrol members were given an extra gym period each week as an incentive as well. Patrol members that would report a student for a violation (jay-walking, running across the street, crossing the street but not at the intersection, etc), would then bring that student to the P.E.office where he/she would be given a set of Peterson School Safety Rules to copy and turn in the following day. This helped alleviate the violations.

Safety Patrol members also made up the "Honor Guard" to start off each school assembly and evening gatherings. They were expected to be dressed properly (boys in a white shirt, black tie, and black pants; girls in white blouse and black skirt or slacks). I would set up days where we would practice inside the auditorium regarding how to display the flags, proper protocol, etc.

I was always fortunate to receive a student teacher annually from Northeastern Illinois University. The Physical Education instructor there, Dan Creely, and I became good friends and started a mutual agreement whereby as a reward for the students being on the patrol all year, we would be given an entire day called "Safety Patrol Reward Day." We would walk to NEIU in the morning and Mr. Creely would have his P.E. Major students take my students into the adventure gym, climb on the high climbing wall, and participate in some team-building activities. Then when we returned to Peterson, we would have a special lunch and end the day with an afternoon of softball.”