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Loyalist Township provides crossing guards at eight school crossings in the communities of Amherstview (seven crossing guards) and Odessa (one crossing guard) and new updates to their schedules have been made for the 2023-2024 school year.

Between April and May of 2023, staff conducted a warrant study at each crossing to determine current needs as the method of transporting the students by the local school boards has changed considerably since the installation of crossing guards, and more schools rely heavily on buses as detailed in the Staff Report (SR- 2424) that went to Committee of the Whole on July 4, 2023.

Although there are many factors that determine when a crossing guard is warranted, the Ontario Traffic Council (OTC) guide states that a crossing guard is not required until a minimum of 40 students, who are in grades Junior Kindergarten through Grade 5, are observed crossing a roadway.

Based on the results of the warrant studies, the provision of crossing guards during the lunch hour is not required at any of the eight locations due to the 40-student threshold, therefore all lunch hour crossing guards have been removed from Amherstview locations for the upcoming school year. The elimination of the lunch guard, however, has allowed the extension of morning and afternoon monitoring periods.

However, due to the high volume of high school students crossing Main St. in Odessa at lunchtime, this lunchtime school crossing guard service will remain at Odessa until such time that this service can be reassessed following the installation of a pedestrian crossover and lights currently scheduled for installation next year.

See the new crossing guard schedule below:
Crossing Guard Schedule

In August, Township staffed updated affected school partners, and sought out their support in helping distribute a notice to students and their families notifying them of the change including a package to review with their children about safe crossing practices.

Township staff and Council wish all new and returning students a safe and happy school year.