Quinte West celebrates School Crossing Guard Appreciation Day

“As an oldster who is a real newbie as a crossing guard, the last few months have been a real revelation. The kids are such a joy, regardless of age. They’re so free-spirited, diving into biggest snow banks while giggling with delight. Their faces always light up with smiles when greeted, and waving bye long after crossing the street. Nothing beats a having a group of crossers who ask, every time I’m at that location, if I’ll be back tomorrow, why, because they like me.

Sometimes, as I see a student approaching with a gloomy face, the brief interaction can bring a smile. Don’t we all wish that would stay there all the way home?

At each location I get to know the regulars, including those with four legs. Credit also has to go to our “uniform” and its effect on drivers. The adherence to the “stop” sign is outstanding when I’m very visible. 

Being a crossing guard in Trenton also exposed me to the camaraderie that exists among the City of Quinte West employees. The waves and hellos really help to feel a part of something bigger.”

“Being a second generation crossing guard I think I have heard it all – possibly seen it all through my own eyes or that of my parents and sister, but one thing still catches my heart strings and that is a ‘thank you.’

Almost all the students say it and I’ve also been witness to the public stopping to say thank you too. Even the mayor himself stopped one day to show his appreciation.

Somedays, when we are standing in the worst of the weather Mother Nature has to throw at us, perhaps feeling a little underappreciated we can rest assured this is not the case. Our service is necessary and appreciated.”

“I have two beautiful and sweet stories that I have had as a crossing guard in the past year since I started in April.

One of the stories is that every morning and afternoon when I see this child on the other side of the street we have a wiggle party (we wiggle in place, act silly, until I put up my stop sign and indicate that it is safe to cross the street). 

The second story is that I have a family with small children who I think are under the age of a grade 2 student and as soon as we see each other we starting walking fast towards each other and say “Happy (whatever holiday it is the closest to)” and whoever says it first is the winner that day. We do this on a daily basis.

I love seeing the kids grow up and I also get my puppy boost since I can’t have dogs.”

“I have two beautiful and sweet stories that I have had as a crossing guard in the past year since I started in April.

One of the stories is that every morning and afternoon when I see this child on the other side of the street we have a wiggle party (we wiggle in place, act silly, until I put up my stop sign and indicate that it is safe to cross the street). 

The second story is that I have a family with small children who I think are under the age of a grade 2 student and as soon as we see each other we starting walking fast towards each other and say “Happy (whatever holiday it is the closest to)” and whoever says it first is the winner that day. We do this on a daily basis.

I love seeing the kids grow up and I also get my puppy boost since I can’t have dogs.”

“Being a crossing guard can be quiet challenging. From vehicles not stopping at red lights or crosswalks, and trying to drive behind you before you’re off the road, let’s add pedestrians who don’t always want to wait or to be crossed, it’s not always an easy job. However, I recently switched locations after spending almost two years in the same spot. After getting to know all the kids I was quiet sad to be saying bye to them. There were two children that I told the morning that I was leaving that it was my last day and after school one came out with a wonderful card she made at school and the other gave me a hug. I had a Mom tell me her kid, who was rather shy, was upset I wasn’t coming back. I will truly miss all of them. That makes any struggles 100% worth it. The kids at my new location have been very welcoming and clearly respected their previous crossing guard and understand the rules so well. I look forward to getting to know them better throughout the rest of the year.”