It’s been a busy week across Winnipeg as students head back to class. This time of year brings excitement, a few nerves, and an important reminder: school safety is a team effort.
On September 4, School Resource Officers (SROs) Lisa Allison and Bryan Foltz joined École R.H.G. Bonnycastle School and the team from CTV Morning Live to share tips for students, parents, and drivers.
School Resource Officers – Building Connections
Since 2002, Winnipeg’s SRO program has worked to:
- strengthen relationships between police, youth, and the community,
- enhance neighbourhood and school safety, and
- provide schools with additional prevention resources.
SROs are fully trained Winnipeg Police Service constables who focus on schools as “mini communities.” Their work includes:
- Safety & Security: helping keep campuses safe, responding to incidents, and supporting school safety planning.
- Education & Mentoring: classroom presentations on topics like online safety, bullying, and drug awareness.
- Community Connection: serving as a link between schools, parents, police, and community partners.
- Problem Solving & Intervention: connecting families to resources and promoting restorative approaches.
What is a School Resource Officer? Hear more from Csts. Foltz and Allison:
https://www.ctvnews.ca/winnipeg/video/2025/09/04/what-is-a-school-resource-officer/
Road Safety – Drivers, Just Slow Down
With more kids walking, bussing, and biking, motorists play a critical role. Manitoba motorists, here’s a quick cheat sheet to ace the school zone driving test:
- Slow down in school zones.
- Stop for flashing school bus lights. It’s the law.
- Watch for children at crosswalks, intersections, and driveways.
- Phones down. Distractions subtract from safety.
Cst. Foltz talks about some of the things he sees each school year and how we can correct them:
Safe Steps for Students and Parents
Students and parents, when walking to and from school the steps you take toward a safe walk home can really add up. Here’s how you can make the grade:
- Walk on sidewalks, cross at marked crosswalks, and make eye contact with drivers.
- Put devices away when crossing the street.
- Buddy up with friends or siblings.
- Cyclists should always wear helmets and follow the rules of the road.
- Parents: use designated drop-off/pick-up zones and set the example by staying alert.
Cst. Allison offer sup some safety reminders for parents and students:
https://www.ctvnews.ca/winnipeg/video/2025/09/04/safety-reminders-for-parents-this-school-year/
Kindness Counts
Safety isn’t just about traffic. It’s about kindness, inclusion, and respect in schools.
A safe community is one where every child feels they belong. Kindness Matters! Encourage your kids to make new students feel welcome and safe.
If you see something that is not right (someone is getting bullied?) tell an adult. On the playground: no pushing, shoving, or crowding. It’s Cool2BeKind.
Make sure you as a parent and your kids respect patrols, crossing guards, classmates.
Note that our School Resource Officers doe oodles of school safety presentations throughout the year on bullying prevention, online safety, drugs, and more.
Cst. Allison talks about why kindness matters in schools:
Safe Schools
We need to recognize the amazing jobs school leaders do in promoting safety throughout the year, alongside committed community members and parents as well as students.
Did you know that in Winnipeg there are more than 7,000 student patrols who step forward as volunteers each year to serve as leaders and make a real difference in school safety.
The School Safety Patrol program is a tremendous program that promotes student leadership and an additional level of safety in and around schools.
The program would not work if students didn’t volunteer. The program also works because there are staff members who step forward to coordinate these programs in each school.
At schools like École R.H.G. Bonnycastle School they employ Adult Crossing Guards to provide safe passage across busy streets in the area. They also have an innovative initiative under way called Walking School Bus, which is exactly what it sounds like.
Vice Principal Carissa Wiens shares more about these efforts:
https://www.ctvnews.ca/winnipeg/video/2025/09/04/student-patrol-leaders-giving-back/
Safety is a shared responsibility
From students and parents to teachers, patrols, and drivers, safety works best when we all play a role. Together, we can make this a safe and successful school year.
Special thanks to École R.H.G. Bonnycastle School for leading by example, and to CTV Morning Live for keeping the school zone safety conversation going.