Freehold Fifth Grader Honored In Safety Patrol Program

FREEHOLD, NJ – To celebrate 100 years as the largest school safety program in the world, the AAA School Safety Patrol program has selected five New Jersey students as Outstanding AAA School Safety Patrol Members for the 2019-2020 school year. Genesis Hidalgo, a fifth grade student at Laura Donovan Elementary School in Freehold Township, was one of the select few chosen for the award.

Safety patrollers in the school program serve as leaders in traffic safety for their peers, effectively assisting other students in crossing roads on their way to school, teaching younger students about traffic safety and assisting bus drivers in the safe transportation of children to school. As a recipient of the Outstanding School Safety Patrol award, Hidalgo received a plaque for her accomplishments, as well as a check during a surprise presentation at her family home.

“Genesis is perhaps one of the kindest students I have ever interacted with,” said Hidalgo’s Patrol Advisor in a statement. “Having only learned English herself a short time ago, Genesis has become a critical translator for her peers, teachers, and community parents. A careful observer, Genesis learned quickly how best to lead children entrusted in her care. She even recognizes those meeting the rules with stickers and shares this with their parents and teachers.”

The AAA School Safety Patrol program is recognized as the largest school-based safety patrol program in the world, with over 679,000 patrollers across 30 countries. Over 14,000 patrollers are from New Jersey alone, hailing from over 500 schools across the state.