Celebrating Crossing Guard Appreciation Week 2024

The City of Oshawa encourages all community members to thank their crossing guard during Crossing Guard Appreciation Week, June 3 to 7. 

The week recognizes more than 125 crossing guards throughout our community who help students and pedestrians travel safely across streets and intersections on school days, completing approximately 1.5 million crossings each school year.

Drivers and cyclists are reminded by the City of Oshawa to abide by the three-whistle system:

1. First Whistle: The school crossing guard blows the first whistle, enters the roadway, holds up the stop sign, and ensures traffic has stopped. Children and pedestrians stay on the sidewalk until the school crossing guard blows the second whistle.
2. Second Whistle: The school crossing guard blows the second whistle when it is safe for the children and pedestrians to cross.
3. Third Whistle: Once the children have safely crossed the roadway, the school crossing guard leaves the roadway. Once safely off the road, the guard blows the third whistle to signify the crossing has ended and traffic can proceed.

Drivers (including cyclists) are also reminded to take special care while driving in school areas and to follow these safety reminders:

• Be observant of children when in a school area and be ready to stop at all times.
• Be patient and wait for children to complete their crossing before proceeding.
• Reduce speed in school zones.
• Stop when a stop paddle is held up by a crossing guard.
• Obey school bus flashers.
• Obey yield, stop, traffic signal controls, and other traffic signs.
• Be mindful of children walking around your vehicle and of other vehicles.

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