City recognizes Julie Lavalle and four Mississauga schools for their efforts in promoting safety in school zones

Yesterday, Mississauga City Council, on behalf of Mississauga School Traffic Safety Action Committee, awarded the 2024 Dr. Arthur Wood Award to Julie Lavalle, Principal of St. Alfred Catholic Elementary School. Four Mississauga schools also received the 2024 Wilde Wood School Safety Zone Award including Clarkson Public School, Plum Tree Park Public School, St. Margaret of Scotland Catholic Elementary School and St. Raphael Catholic Elementary School.

Since 2004, the Mississauga School Traffic Safety Action Committee has focused on recognizing schools who promote active transportation and traffic safety in and around school zones. The Wilde Wood Award was named after James Wilde and Arthur Wood who co-founded the Kiss and Ride program in Mississauga. It is awarded to schools from both the Peel District School Board and the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board.

Dr. Arthur Wood Award

Julie Lavalle, Principal of St. Alfred Catholic Elementary School, is this year’s recipient of the Dr. Arthur Wood Award for her efforts in promoting active school travel. In 2022, St. Alfred Catholic Elementary School was chosen as one of three Mississauga schools to pilot the City’s School Streets project. Lavalle led her school in championing this program where the street in front of the school was closed to traffic during school dismissal time for a three-week period. This helped provide a safe space for students and encouraged them to walk or bike home from school.

Under her leadership, St. Alfred Catholic Elementary School has continued to run a strong School Walking Routes program. In 2024, they took part in the program to help promote active transportation.

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:

Clarkson Public School

• Dedicated principal and staff act as active transportation champions.
• Included student ambassadors in program promotion.
• Demonstrated commitment to promoting active and safe school travel.

Plum Tree Park Public School

• Dedicated staff act as active transportation champions.
• Lead a robust Walk to School program throughout the school year.
• Installed new bike racks at the front of the school to encourage students to cycle to school.

St. Margaret of Scotland Catholic Elementary School

• Engaged in the City’s School Walking Routes Program to promote active travel to school.
• Enrolled students in additional pedestrian and bike safety education through Peel Children’s Safety Village.
• Demonstrated commitment to promoting active and safe school travel.

St. Raphael Catholic Elementary School

• Promoted active school travel with student ambassadors.
• Organized Kiss and Ride to keep traffic moving efficiently and to ensure student safety.

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

Quote

“Congratulations to this year’s award winners for prioritizing student road safety and encouraging healthy travel habits. Your hard work and dedication helped make our schools safer for students travelling to and from school. It’s people like you who inspire us all to strive for excellence. Thank you for being a role model for us all!” – Mayor Carolyn Parrish

Photos

Photo caption: Members of Council and members of MSTSAC present Julie Lavalle with the 2024 Dr. Arthur Wood Award.

Photo caption: Members of Council and members of MSTSAC present Clarkson Public School with the 2024 Wilde Wood School Safety Zone Award.

Photo caption: Members of Council and members of MSTSAC present Plum Tree Park Public School with the 2024 Wilde Wood School Safety Zone Award.

Photo caption: Members of Council and members of MSTSAC present St. Margaret of Scotland Catholic Elementary School with the 2024 Wilde Wood School Safety Zone Award.

Photo caption: Members of Council and members of MSTSAC present St. Raphael Catholic Elementary School with the 2024 Wilde Wood School Safety Zone Award.

Photo caption: Members of Council and members of MSTSAC present all four schools with the 2024 Wilde Wood School Safety Zone Award.

Tags

• Active Transportation
• Awards and Recognition
• Children & Youth
• Students