Who:
Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office
Patrol Operations Bureau
-School Crossing Guard Program

What: 
The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office is set to host the annual School Crossing Guard Program Appreciation Day. Length of Service Certificates, FDOT Badges, Special Recognition and, Perfect Attendance certificates will be presented to 117 members.

Where:
The event will be held at the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office located at 10750 Ulmerton Road in Largo.

When:
The program presentations are set to begin at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, February 5, 2016.

How/Why:
The Sheriff’s Office is set to honor the service and dedication of members of the School Crossing Guard Program during Florida’s Annual School Crossing Guard Appreciation Day.

The Governor has designated Friday, February 5, 2016 as School Crossing Guard Appreciation Day in the State of Florida. 117 members will be honored with the following:

•             Length of Service Certificates (21)

•             Florida Department of Transportation/Train the Trainer Certification (to those who recently completed the 2 day training class). (7)

•             Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) Badges (to those who recently completed their FDOT Certification) (27)

•             Special Recognition Certificates (30)

•             Perfect Attendance Certificates (32)

The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office School Crossing Guard Program presently has 133 crossing guards covering 190 school crossing posts for 38 elementary schools, 10 middle schools and 1 high school in the unincorporated area as well as in the contract cities of Dunedin, Safety Harbor, Oldsmar, Seminole, St. Pete Beach, and Madeira Beach.

The School Crossing Guard Program began in 1972 as a volunteer program.  Through the years the program has grown to meet and adhere to F.D.O.T. standards. Each school crossing guard attends a mandatory six-hour classroom training session and two-hours of field training. This is followed up with three days of field training at the guard’s assigned post.