Every morning and afternoon, while students arrive and depart for the school day, the safety patrollers take up their posts at nearly every elementary school in the division. They guide younger students to their destinations, encourage respectful conduct in the hallways, and promote safe practices in bus loops and car dropoff zones.
The School Safety Patrol program, sponsored by AAA, gives Lynchburg City Schools (LCS) fifth graders opportunities to develop key leadership skills while fostering uplifting and safe school environments. These student leaders set the standard for excellence amongst their peers and provide an extra sense of security during transitions to and from school.
“Being in Safety Patrol teaches students to become critical thinkers and problem solvers at an early age. Students learn about public safety and become role models in their schools,” said LCS Coordinator of School Safety and Security Nick Caputo.
A Bedford Hills Elementary School student helps facilitate dismissal.
Operation Guardian Angel Takes Off
Though many schools have had School Safety Patrol programs for years, the 2024-25 school year brought a more unified approach to the program under the five-year division-wide Operation Guardian Angel pilot program. Dedicated School Security Officers (SSOs) oversee the program under Caputo, working with staff at each school to recruit, manage, and train student patrollers.
Under Operation Guardian Angel, LCS Safety Patrol duties include facilitating safe arrival and dismissal practices, escorting kindergarteners to and from their buses and cars, monitoring the hallways to encourage positive conduct, and raising and lowering the American and Virginian flags daily per state code. They’re recognizable by their signature neon yellow-green belts and shiny badges from AAA, which signify their commitment to serving their schools.
Students at Perrymont Elementary School fold the American flag.
“I like being on Safety Patrol. I want to protect people and help them out,” said R. S. Payne student Jaelyn.
Students apply and are chosen for the program based on demonstrated excellence in conduct, academic achievement, and good character. Once selected, patrollers receive regular training from AAA on topics like school safety and bullying prevention.
Patrollers have opportunities to be promoted to leadership positions. Captains, lieutenants, and sergeants lead squads, delegate tasks, fill in for absent patrollers, and help ensure the program runs smoothly.
“The safety patrol program helps students take pride in their school. When fifth graders are selected as leaders amongst their peers, they gain self-confidence and take their role very seriously. Even the more reserved kids who might not normally speak up are eager to volunteer and take on responsibilities,” SSO Steven Sensabaugh said.
R. S. Payne Elementary students volunteer for Safety Patrol duties.
Challenge Coins Reward Outstanding Students
Every month, one student from each school receives the coveted SSO Challenge Coin, a reward for demonstrating outstanding initiative or character in service to their school. Coins are mostly awarded to patrollers, but anyone who goes above and beyond to promote a safe, positive school atmosphere can receive one.
Funded by the LCS Education Foundation, the SSO Challenge Coin is inspired by the tokens given to law enforcement officers who demonstrate excellence in their line of duty. It’s engraved with the LCS logo and motto on one side and a replica of the SSO uniform patch on the other.
In addition to the physical reminder of a job well done, awardees often receive public praise for their achievements in front of their peers. At the end of the year, four Challenge Coin recipients will be chosen to receive bicycles.
Bedford Hills Elementary School Safety Patrol Captain Norah shows off her Challenge Coin.
Students Lead the Way
Bedford Hills Elementary School Safety Patrol co-captains Eleanor and Norah are recent recipients of the Challenge Coin. With their help, dismissal runs like a well-oiled machine.
Patrollers guide students as they board their buses and keep the hallways quiet while car riders wait to be dismissed. One patroller guides a kindergartener arm-in-arm to their bus, while two others wheel a cart full of meal bags for those facing food insecurity to take home over the weekend. Each navigates their post gracefully, working together under Eleanor and Norah’s direction.
Bedford Hills students help facilitate dismissal.
“At 10 and 11 years old, Eleanor and Norah are already planning logistics and thinking through why things are the way things are. They’re delegating tasks to others and taking ownership of the program. It’s really cool to see,” teacher Heather Burkhardt said.
Burkhardt received a Challenge Coin in December for her outstanding management of the Safety Patrol program at Bedford Hills. A former patroller herself, Burkhardt empowers students to implement their own ideas to improve the program.
Eleanor designed a certificate to award younger students who embody the “Husky Way”—being respectful, responsible, and ready to learn—at dismissal. Norah initiated a regular segment on the morning announcements in which patrollers provide helpful tips to practice safe conduct in the hallways.
“I like the responsibility of being in Safety Patrol. I like to make sure people can get home safely in a quiet environment,” Norah said.
Bedford Hills Student Eleanor and teacher Heather Burkhardt received Challenge Coins in December 2024.
Positive Role Models Promote Student Growth
Being a patroller can have a profound impact on student development, imparting skills that will help them succeed in their future careers and in life. Working closely with program coordinators also provides built-in role models for the patrollers; students like Eleanor and Norah look up to staff members like Burkhardt and the SSOs who help administer the program.
“One student at Paul Munro told me she wants to be a police officer when she grows up. It’s meaningful to have the opportunity to inspire students as they think about their future career paths,” said SSO Jim Scott.
SSO Dale Trotter awarded Dearington Elementary School for Innovation student Keegan Bush a Challenge Coin in February 2025.
Just as patrollers look up to their staff supervisors, other students look up to patrollers. They set the standard for good conduct amongst their peers, infusing positivity into the school culture as younger students strive to emulate them.
“Any time younger students can see older students setting an example for them, that’s powerful. Younger students get to look up to them as examples of how they might want to be when they get to fifth grade. Not everyone has a big brother or sister to look up to, so it’s really powerful to have those relationships at school,” Burkhardt said.
These peer-mentor relationships are just one part of what makes the Safety Patrol program so meaningful. Already, the Operation Guardian Angel program has made a difference in schools across the division by promoting student leadership, public safety, and respectful social interactions.
The program will continue to grow as patrollers and staff learn how to best meet the unique needs of their schools. In the meantime, it will continue to establish itself as a beloved staple of school cultures across LCS, one yellow-green belt at a time.
