Every morning a select group of students at Andalusia Elementary School, making sure their fellow students are safe during the drop off/pick up times.

Called the “safety patrol,” these fifth grade students – Carley Wallace, Michael Jordan, Chloe Mikel, Alexa Linquest, Caleb Smallwood and Fletcher Ament – are there with smiles and safety vests on.

Program coordinator and AES teacher Cathy Powell said students apply for the position in the fourth grade and are required to submit a written essay on leadership and responsibility.

“These students are dedicated,” Powell said. “The students have to arrive at school by 7:15 a.m. in order to prepare the majority of the school traffic that begins at 7:30 a.m.

“The students work in both the front and back unloading zones,” she said. “They open car doors, and greet parents and students. The safety patrol is an essential part of trying to get the car line to pull up and let students out at the appropriate spots.”

All the students involved said they enjoyed giving back to their school.