Two Primrose students awarded for helping rescue peers in bus crash

July 6, 2023 · 0 Comments

Written By Paula Brown

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Two twelve-year-old students from Mulmur have been honoured for their efforts in helping rescue their peers after the bus they were travelling on slid into a ditch this past spring.

Isabelle Wallace and Chase Rodgers, students from Primrose Elementary School, received the 2022-2023 CAA School Safety Patroller of the Year award in recognition of their quick response when the school bus they were travelling on slid into a ditch in March.

The bus was travelling along 4th Line in the Township of Mulmur, just south of 10 Sideroad, on March 2 when the incident occurred. As a result, four children were sent to hospital with minor injuries.

Ashley Hopkins, the vice principal of Primrose Elementary School, nominated the pair for the award.

Hopkins said the two students used the skills they learned through the CAA School Safety Patrol program to help the bus driver evacuate the bus and escort their fellow classmates to safety while they waited for help to arrive.

“They jumped right into action, making sure all students were okay and reassuring them that they were safe,” said Hopkins.

Also honoured was Stephanie Pennesei, who is winding down her 31-year teaching career at June Avenue Public School in Guelph. Pennesei received the CAA School Safety Patrol Supervisor of the Year award for her passion and dedication to the role of patrol supervisor, one she held for 29 years.

Teresa Di Felice, assistant vice president for CAA South Central Ontario, said the CAA School Safety Patrol program has been helping keep students safe in school zones, at school crossings, and on school buses since the 1920s.

About 20,000 dedicated student volunteers participate in the CAA School Safety Patrol Program and give their time to help keep their peers safe at school crossings and on school buses in more than 900 schools across Ontario.

“Thank you to all our patrollers, teachers, schools, police, and busing consortiums partners who help make this important safety program a success,” said Di Felice.