PHILADELPHIA, PA (May 20, 2021) Groveland Elementary School in Doylestown received three awards during a school assembly Monday, celebrating their school’s AAA School Safety Patrol Program. Groveland is the only school in the AAA Mid-Atlantic territory to receive all three honors in one year.

Over the past year, schools got creative when it came to operating their AAA Safety Patrol Program - some schools were virtual, some met in person and others operated in a hybrid setting. Whatever the setting, those schools that kept students engaged and maintained their school safety patrol group proved endurance and dedication are lessons instilled in students this year.  The leadership values and safety awareness have inspired many alumnus patrollers to pursue admirable careers, including current President Joe Biden.

“This school year continued to be a challenge for many AAA School Safety Patrols; advisors and patrollers have risen to the challenge of keeping students safe,” said Jana L. Tidwell, manager of Public and Government Affairs for AAA Mid-Atlantic. “Their actions save lives. Patrollers serve as role models across the county.”

Outstanding AAA School Safety Patroller

Avery Jenner, a fourth-grader at Groveland Elementary was recognized as a 2021 AAA Outstanding School Safety Patroller. As a member of the Groveland’s Safety Patrol, Avery is described as a well-respected, kind, and responsible leader who was selected as Captain by her peers. Avery’s commitment is part of the legacy of the AAA School Safety program, now in its 100^thyear.

Avery plays a vital role as one of three Safety Patrol captains. She has helped to recognize “Unsung Safety Patrollers,” organize special projects, and give constructive suggestions for improvements throughout the school year. She has used her leadership role to transition new students into the Groveland family by creating handmade gifts and spending time with the students at lunch and recess so they felt included. Avery went as far as learning some simple sentences in Spanish to better communicate with a peer who did not speak English. Avery has helped Groveland to grow the AAA School Safety Patrol program by teaching younger students the role and responsibilities with the “Safety in Training” program.

2021 AAA School Safety Patrol Advisors of the Year

In an elementary school with an enrollment of over 800 students, in a location that does not permit students to walk to and from school, Matthew Alderfer and Jennifer Moyer oversee Groveland Elementary’s AAA School Safety Patrollers, seamlessly executing the arrival and dismissal of over 25 busses and vans daily. Alderfer and Moyer have lead the Groveland AAA School Safety Patrol for four years and their dedication continues to create not only strong Patrollers, but leaders.

This year, Alderfer and Moyer worked diligently to create a schedule and designate assignments so all Patrollers could participate regardless of their virtual, hybrid, or traditional learning environment. As the year progressed and students changed learning modes, Alderfer and Moyer changed everything to fit the needs of the students and school building. Under their guidance, Patrollers are responsible for attending meetings, getting their posts covered, and arriving at assigned posts on time. This year they added a Safety-in-Training Program to help promote the program and allow other students to experience life as a Safety.

Assistant Principal, Vanessa Hasson states, “Their tireless hard work and strong dedication over the years have made this program what it is today. We cannot thank them enough.  I could not think of two advisors more qualified to receive the award for Advisor of the Year.”

Charles M. Hayes Advancement Grant

Groveland Elementary is also one of only 10 recipients across the country of the AAA School Safety Patrol Charles M. Hayes Advancement Grant. The $500 Advancement Grant, administered by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, is awarded to expand or enhance a schools’ existing Patrol programs. The emphasis is on safety and educational benefits the program provides to students and the lifesaving contributions to the community.

Over the last 100 years, interest in and excitement for the program have spread around the world. The AAA model has been adopted in at least 30 other countries, including England, France, Germany, the Netherlands, and New Zealand.  Since 1920, AAA provides various equipment and education materials to patrollers, including reflective belts, patrol badges and training resources. To learn how to bring the AAA School Safety Patrol to your school, email SchoolSafetyPatrol@national.aaa.com.

Other notable patrollers include former Presidents Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton, astronauts, governors, Members of Congress, Supreme Court justices, Olympic medalists, and authors, like Diary of a Wimpy Kid author Jeff Kinney. Many patrollers now serve as educators, executives, and community leaders. 

AAA provides automotive, travel, and insurance services to more than 62 million members nationwide and more than three million members in Pennsylvania.  AAA advocates for the safety and mobility of its members and has been committed to outstanding road service for more than 100 years.  AAA is a non-stock, membership corporation working on behalf of motorists, who can map a route, access a COVID travel restriction map, find local gas prices and electric vehicle charging stations, discover discounts, book a hotel, and track their roadside assistance service with the AAA Mobile app (AAA.com/mobile) for iPhone, iPad and Android.  For more information on joining or renewing a Membership, visit www.AAA.com.