Crossing Guard Appreciation Week is June 5 to 9, 2023

For immediate release (May 26, 2023) – On behalf of the Orillia Police Services Board, the City of Orillia is encouraging residents to show their support and appreciation for their neighbourhood crossing guards during Crossing Guard Appreciation Week, taking place from June 5 to 9, 2023.

“We are very fortunate to have a dedicated group of crossing guards who brave all types of weather and traffic conditions to ensure pedestrians get across the roadway safely,” said Mayor Don McIsaac. “I encourage all community members to recognize and thank Orillia crossing guards for their dedication and commitment to safety. Let’s all help them out by travelling with extra caution, patience, and reduced speed through school crossings.”

This is the fifth consecutive year that Orillia crossing guards have been recognized with a province-wide initiative coordinated by the Ontario Traffic Council.

Support your local school crossing guards by remembering to STOP:

• Stop when a school crossing guard raises his or her stop sign;
• Take notice when a crossing guard is on duty and slow down when approaching school crossings;
• Obey the law and posted speed limits. Remain stopped until all children and the guard have completely exited the roadway. Recognize that when school zone lights are flashing, that indicates that the crossing guard is present and the legal speed limit is reduced to 40 km per hour; and
• Park with caution by observing all “No Stopping” and “No Parking” signs. Stop and park in designated areas only. Traffic congestion around schools caused by illegal stopping and parking puts everyone’s safety at greater risk for collisions with vehicles.

Quick Facts

• The City of Orillia currently employs 17 school crossing guards to cover 14 school crossing zones across the City.
• Crossing guards work two hours per school day. Starting September 2023, crossing guards will be active from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. and from 3 to 4 p.m., except at Atlantis Drive and Bass Lake Side Road where the guard works from 8 to 9 a.m. and from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. to accommodate school commencement and dismissal times.
• When school zone lights are flashing, the legal speed limit is reduced from 50 to 40 km per hour during the two hours per school day when a guard is present.

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Contact Information

Nancy Wilding
School Crossing Guard Supervisor
705-325-6275
nwilding@orillia.ca

Melissa Gowanlock
Manager of Communications
705-330-1951 (cell)
magowanlock@orillia.ca