Gause students take safety pledge

Washougal — About 40 fourth- and fifth-graders at Gause Elementary School pledged to look out for their classmates, as they joined the school’s safety patrol. To get on the patrol, students had to go through a week of training, which includes shadowing current patrols members, watching a video and getting observed while on duty for two days by Marvina Bugajski, patrol supervisor. Patrol members also meet each month for safety lessons, to discuss safety issues and to listen to guest speakers. The program started 10 years ago as a way to help students safely walk the crosswalk in front of the school, and to help students grow into leaders. “We found that we needed more opportunities for students to take on leadership roles,” said Rex Larson, Gause principal, in a release from the district. “Some kids are natural leaders, but others need to be shown how and be given help to develop these skills.”