“They’re learning skills on how to work with their peers and communicate … and they’re being role models to their peers and the younger students,” Rasor said. “They’re learning how to negotiate and work through problems.”
Cindy Antrican, public affairs manager for AAA, said local safety patrollers had a banner year last year, with Dayton-area students winning four of the 11 national AAA Lifesaving Medals of Honor.
Antrican said Kettering student Alex Needles grabbed a challenged kindergarten student who broke away from an adult and ran to the street. Xenia’s Jonah Reed physically moved students out of the way when a distracted driver went into a crosswalk. And Ansonia’s Carrie Rhoades and Peyton Beam alerted school officials to a noncustodial parent trying to take his children.
This is the 70th anniversary of AAA’s “School’s Open, Drive Carefully” campaign, and Rasor urged drivers to take the message to heart.
“Put the electronic devices down and pay attention to the roadway,” Rasor said. “If you see students in the bright yellow vest or the AAA sash, or see adult crossing guards, you know you’re in a school zone, so please slow down and pay attention. Look for that unexpected event that might happen.”
Beavertown fourth-grader Norah Dearth said she learned Friday that it was important to be on time, how to hold her arms out to make sure kids stayed back from the street, and how watch traffic carefully.
“I just need to watch the kids and make sure they don’t run into the street,” said Norah, who is preparing for her first year on safety patrol. “It’s important because we don’t want kids to get hurt or lost when they get home.”
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