5th graders take oath to keep classmates safe - NBC12.com - Richmond, VA News

Many children are heading back to school next week and that means more people will be on the roads.

Now, some students at Pinchbeck Elementary School in Henrico are getting involved to make sure their classmates are safe throughout the school year.

About 35 fifth graders are in class earlier than their classmates to learn about being a school safety officer.

"There are a lot of little kids and they really need help," said Mia Shelton, one of the safety officers.

Other students will be able to identify them by the neon green sash.

One of their areas of patrol will be making sure their fellow classmates cross the roads safely.

"People are in a rush to get to work.  People are also in a rush to drop the children off," said Ralph Wilcher, the Mid-Atlantic AAA safety service manager.

According to AAA, a third of child pedestrian fatalities happen during after school hours.  Some drivers don't slow down in a school zone or stop for buses dropping off students.

"Even if the warning devices on the bus fail, it's still a requirement for the motor vehicle operator to stop the car," said Wilcher.

These safety patrol officers or "safeties" will serve as an extra set of eyes that look both ways.

It's a serious job for these students and it's one they don't take lightly.

 "I always saw the safeties as one of the most important spots to be when you're in a fifth grade position," said Tyler Landin, a safety patrol officer.

The Safety Patrol Camp is a nationwide program that's about 92 years old.  Another thing that students say they will watch out for is bullying.

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