Crossing Guard Program

male crossing guard

The Town of East Gwillimbury (EG) employs adult Crossing Guards to ensure the safe crossing of students as they travel to and from school. There are crossing guards at all school locations throughout the Town of East Gwillimbury. Crossing guards are responsible for crossing persons across a highway with a speed limit not in excess of 60km/h shall, prior to entering the roadway, display a school crossing stop sign in an upright position so that it is visible to vehicles approaching from each direction and shall continue to so display the school crossing stop sign until all persons, including the school crossing guard, have cleared the roadway.

We accept applications throughout the year for Crossing Guards and hire on an as-needed basis. You must be a reliable and safety conscious individual that is willing to work up to 3 hours per day in various weather and traffic conditions. For more information or to apply for a Crossing Guard position, please view our current career opportunities page. travel to and from school. There are crossing guards at all school locations throughout the Town of East Gwillimbury. Crossing guards are responsible for crossing persons across a highway with a speed limit not more than 60km/h shall, prior to entering the roadway, display a school crossing stop sign in an upright position so that it is visible to vehicles approaching from each direction and shall continue to so display the school crossing stop sign until all persons, including the school crossing guard, have cleared the roadway.

School Crossing Guard Appreciation Week

In cooperation with the Ontario Traffic Council's School Crossing Programs Committee, the School Crossing Guard Appreciation Day has expanded into a week-long celebration of School Crossing Guard Appreciation Week. Now from June 3 to 7 is School Crossing Guard Appreciation Week. In East Gwillimbury, we want to thank our Crossing Guards for helping to keep our community safe every day.

Three whistle system

Crossing Guards in the Town of East Gwillimbury use the Three Whistle System.

First Whistle: The Crossing Guard blows the first whistle, enters the roadway, holds up the stop sign, and ensures that traffic has stopped. Children should stay on the sidewalk until the guard blows the second whistle.
Second Whistle: The Crossing Guard blows the second whistle when it is safe for the children to cross.
Third Whistle: Once the children have safely crossed the roadway, the guard leaves the roadway and blows the third whistle to signify the crossing has ended.

Safety practices for children

Walk across the road in a quick, orderly fashion (do not run)
Pay attention to the Crossing Guard's instructions (no running, stay off bicycles, skateboards, etc., and do not bounce balls or other sports equipment while crossing)

Safety practices for adults

Please respect the Crossing Guard rules when crossing the road with children. By doing so you:

Set a good example for your child(ren), as well as other children
Avoid confusing the children who have been taught to follow the Crossing Guard rules
Help to provide the children with a routine for safely crossing the road with a Crossing Guard when they go to school on their own
Please respect the Crossing Guard's duties and responsibilities and do not park on or near the crosswalk.

Safe practices for motorists in school zones

Please follow the posted speed limit and other signage such as "No Parking" or "No Stopping". The posted speed limit within an elementary school zone is 40km/h.
Keep your eyes on the road and hands on the wheel. It is illegal to use any hand-held device while driving. Distractions can take your attention away from the task of driving and places yourself and others at increased risk of collision.
Look for children and Crossing Guards in school crosswalks. Wait for the Crossing Guard to blow the third whistle indicating that the children have completed crossing and the Crossing Guard has safely returned to the sidewalk/curb before proceeding.
As a motorist you must stop when approaching a stopped school bus with its upper red lights flashing and STOP arm extended. Do not move until the red lights have stopped flashing, and STOP arm retracts and the bus begins to move.