Ottawa Safety Council

🚸🏆 Congratulations to Ottawa’s 2025–2026 Crossing Guards of the Year!

As Crossing Guard Appreciation Week continues, we're proud to recognize three outstanding guards who go above and beyond to help keep Ottawa students safe every day:

⭐ Marwah – St. Laurent Blvd. at Joliffe St. (Hawthorne P.S.)

⭐Allan – Castlefrank Rd. at Kakulu Rd. & McCurdy Dr. at Sewell Way (Castlefrank E.S. & Katimavik E.S.)

⭐ Mike V. – Springfield Rd. at Putman Ave. (Rockcliffe Park P.S.)

Thank you to Allan Hubley - Councillor for Kanata South and the staff at Castlefrank Elementary School for their kind words and assistance with the award presentations!

We also had a fantastic time celebrating all of our guards at our year-end appreciation event this week. Thank you to every crossing guard for the important role you play in keeping children and families safe.

👏 Please join us in congratulating our winners!

It’s time to show our gratitude! 💛

June 1-5, we celebrate School Crossing Guard Appreciation Week—a chance to recognize the everyday heroes who help keep students and families safe on our roads.

Take a moment this week to say thank you and share your appreciation!

A child on an e-scooter travelling 30 km/h is not the same as a child on a kick scooter.

Today’s e-scooters can reach speeds similar to small motorized vehicles — yet many young riders are using them without helmets, training, licensing, or a full understanding of traffic risks.

Hospitals are reporting increasing numbers of serious e-scooter injuries, especially among youth.

Speed matters. Helmet use matters. Age and maturity matter.

Join us for a virtual info session with the Ottawa Community Immigrant Services Organization next week!

📅 Wednesday, May 27th
🕚 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
💻 Online

Click here to register: https://tinyurl.com/42aykwcn

We can't wait to see you there!

Municipality of North Grenville Southeast Public Health

Keep an eye out for wayfinding signs and colourful stencils near your school!

These features help students follow safer routes, feel more confident walking or wheeling and stay engaged along the way.

They are a fun and helpful part of supporting active school travel in our community.

https://www.northgrenville.ca/council-government/projects/mng-projects/road-safety/back-to-school-safety

Celebrate Spring into Spring 2026 with EnviroCentre!

Encourage students to get outside, recharge, and engage in the many benefits of active transportation.

Active school travel helps to meet the goal for school-aged children of at least 60 minutes per day of moderate to vigorous physical activity, which is linked with lower body mass index and improved cardiovascular health.

Mental health benefits include reduced stress, depression, and anxiety, and increased happiness.

Active school travel also helps to meet Ontario Ministry of Education goals for student well-being and helps to build life-long habits of independent and active mobility.

Learn more here: https://ontarioactiveschooltravel.ca/benefits-of-active-school-travel/

As we head into the Victoria Day long weekend, the Ottawa Safety Council reminds everyone to make safety part of your plans.

Whether you're traveling, enjoying time outdoors, or gathering with friends and family:

• Drive responsibly and never impaired
• Stay aware on roads, trails, and waterways
• Use proper safety gear for all activities
• Keep an eye on weather conditions and fire risks

Let’s all do our part to ensure a safe and enjoyable start to the summer season.

Have a happy and safe long weekend!

E-scooters may look like toys — but many can travel at speeds of 25-40+ km/h, with some models capable of going even faster. At those speeds, a fall or collision can result in serious injuries, especially head trauma.

Emergency departments across North America are reporting rising injuries linked to e-scooters, particularly among youth and teens. Studies have found increasing rates of fractures, concussions, and traumatic brain injuries associated with their use.

Many younger riders simply do not yet have the judgment, traffic awareness, or reaction time needed to safely operate devices travelling at these speeds in complex traffic environments.
Parents and caregivers should carefully consider whether an e-scooter is appropriate for their child — and always ensure helmets are worn.

With warmer days ahead, it’s a great time to get outside and get moving.

Active school travel helps children build healthy habits, confidence, and readiness to learn.

This spring, make time outdoors part of your routine, and give active school travel a try.

Learn more: https://www.northgrenville.ca/council-government/projects/mng-projects/road-safety/back-to-school-safety

Municipality of North Grenville Southeast Public Health