January 31, 2025 -  Fifth grader Marcus Hawkins gives out “Good Mornings” and high-fives as his friends at Hawthorne pass him in the hallway in the early morning. 

Marcus is a Safety Patrol member at Hawthorne. “This is my favorite part of the day,” he smiled. 

All fifth-grade students have an opportunity to join Safety Patrol. After signing up, students receive a manual and study guide to prepare for a test. To qualify, they must score 80% or higher, which includes true/false questions about patrol rules and expectations. Once accepted, students rotate between indoor and outdoor posts. 

Staff members Twila Overton (Eugene Field) and Mariah Medina (Hawthorne) are safety patrol teacher leaders. Student Resource Officer Corporal Patrick Carey works with them to train the students. 

Medina shared, “Corporal Carey takes the students outside to review the rules, expectations, and show them how it is done.”

“He talks with them about how important it is to be very alert once they start their job of helping keep our children safe. He also takes them outside to run drills on how the process goes,” Overton added.

Fifth grader Lillian Hawkins joined the Safety Patrol at Eugene Field after watching other kids take on the role over the years. “I like helping people. In third grade, I noticed kids in Safety Patrol, and I wanted to try to do it too.”

Medina reinforces that this is an important job for fifth  grade students because it helps keep the other students safe. Safety Patrol students model hallway expectations in the morning and afternoon.  As a reward, the Patrol members also pass out bark bucks to encourage positive hallway expectations during the busiest times of the day. “They take their jobs very seriously, and it is a joy to help them help others each day!”

Overton believes the Safety Patrol position gives students a great opportunity to see how it feels to do an important job, making sure each child is walking and crossing safely. “I believe they are serious about doing their job. I pray down the line that they take any job seriously. I enjoy working with the crew and helping them grow.”

Those who serve responsibly throughout the year earn a reward—a trip to swim at the YMCA.

Pictured: Abigail Parker (EF), Harper Keith (EF), Marcus Hawkins (HAW), Lillian Hawkins (EF)