School safety patrols take oath to protect
Fifth graders look forward to serving, protecting peers beyond the classroom; new flagpoles used
Nearly three dozen fifth graders took a pledge Friday as Charles County Sheriff Troy Berry (D) led a swearing-in ceremony for the new student safety patrol officers of the 2018-19 school year at Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer Elementary School in Waldorf.
Students who are selected to serve as safety patrol officers are tasked with several duties, the most important one being to keep their peers safe. Susie Davis, a safety patrol coordinator and technology facilitator at Jenifer, said “this group of students has quickly become an integrated team” who all work “collaboratively and celebrate each other’s successes.”
“AAA School Safety patrols have played an important role in helping young students learn and fulfill leadership roles since the 1920s,” Principal Nancy Seifert said. “As a peer-to-peer leadership development program, safety patrols are trained to recognize safety, traffic safety and other hazards to assist in keeping fellow classmates safe on their journey to and from school.”
Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) Superintendent Kimberly Hill emphasized that when safety patrols put on their bright yellow belts and sashes, they represent more than themselves. She said they now represent student leadership.
“Leadership has evolved into something that’s much more collaborative and much more cooperative,” said Hill. “Leaders have to be able to bring people together to achieve a common goal. You need to be an influencer. You need to be someone that others look up to and want to be like.”
“Teamwork not only comes from what your teachers and all your school leaders do, but also from what you do,” CCPS school safety and security director Jason Stoddard said. “Those of you who have decided to step up and to serve, you are a bigger portion of what we need to keep us all safe.”
Although student safety patrols have special duties to fulfill, Berry said wearing a badge is a privilege and not a right. He emphasized the importance of celebrating young people who choose to do the right thing.
“When I had a chance to speak to our young people, I always want to emphasize that leadership is a choice,” Berry said. “These young people who are sitting here today have chosen to be
leaders and move in a positive direction.”
Speaking of moving in a positive direction, 11-yearold Maximus Meiser said he is honored to serve as the safety patrol captain, a duty he does not take lightly.
“I wanted to become a safety patrol officer because I want to help other people and be a good leader,” said Meiser, who plans to join the military or become a police officer. “You always get a good feeling that you’re doing the right thing. I would [encourage other students to become safety patrol officers] because it’s [not only] a fun job, but you learn about a lot of other things like responsibility.” Meiser’s grandmother, Indian Head resident Pat Coronel, said she couldn’t be more proud of her grandson, whom she believes was born to be a leader and protector.
“I’m very proud of him. He’s always been a good kid and has very good manners,” she said. “He’s got three older sisters so he’s the only boy in the family. He has the qualities of a great leader.”
Following the induction ceremony, the school celebrated the installation of its new flagpoles by conducting a flag-raising tradition outside.