City recognizes Dana Wilson and four Mississauga schools for their efforts in promoting traffic safety

Today, Mississauga City Council, on behalf of Mississauga School Traffic Safety Action Committee, awarded the 2023 Dr. Arthur Wood Award to Dana Wilson, Principal of Hillside Public School. Four Mississauga schools also received the 2023 Wilde Wood School Safety Zone Award including St. Basil Elementary School, St. Dominic Catholic Elementary School, Darcel Avenue Senior Public School and Nahani Way Public School.

“Congratulations to this year’s award winners for prioritizing student road safety and encouraging active travelling by walking and biking,” said Acting Mayor John Kovac. “Your hard work and commitment towards promoting traffic safety for students is truly remarkable and serves as an inspiration for others to strive for. You’ve helped make our schools safer for students travelling to and from school. Thank you for being a role model for us all!”

Since 2016, the Mississauga School Traffic Safety Action Committee (MSTSAC) has focused on recognizing schools who promote active transportation and traffic safety around schools. The Wilde Wood Award was named after James Wilde and Arthur Wood who co-founded the Kiss and Ride concept in Mississauga. It is awarded to schools from the Peel District School Board and the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board.

Dr. Arthur Wood Award

Dana Wilson, Principal of Hillside Public School, has received the Dr. Arthur Wood Award for her work advocating and promoting traffic safety for students. Her efforts at Hillside Public School, including the School Walking Routes Program and the School Streets Pilot Project (that took place in May 2022), have greatly improved the safety of students. Wilson’s efforts also emphasize active travelling as she encouraged cycling to school, organized bike skills and drills sessions and secured new bike racks for Hillside Public School.

Wilde Wood School Safety Zone Award

Four schools received the Wilde Wood School Safety Zone Award for their outstanding leadership and dedication in promoting school zone safety and active transportation.

Significant highlights from each school:

St. Basil Catholic Elementary School

• Promoted Bike to School Day and Walk to School Day to encourage active travel.
• Installed bike racks to encourage biking to school.
• Partnered with the City’s Enforcement staff and Peel Regional Police to keep school areas safe.
• Dedicated staff and student ambassadors acted as active transportation champions.

St. Dominic Catholic Elementary School

• Organized a week-long walk and bike to school event to encourage active travel.
• Implemented safety reminders as a part of their monthly newsletters.
• Installed bike racks to encourage biking to school.

Darcel Avenue Sr. Public School

• Promoted community walks and education on active transportation to encourage active travel.
• Dedicated staff and student ambassadors acted as active transportation champions.
• Installed bike racks to encourage biking to school.

Nahani Way Public School

• Promoted active transportation through newsletters and assemblies.
• Organized Kiss and Ride to keep traffic moving efficiently and ensure student safety.

Learn more about school walking routes, the crossing guard program, cycling and the Mississauga School Traffic Safety Action Committee.

Tags

• Active Transportation
• Roads and Traffic