Our bustling city is full of unsung heroes—emergency medical technicians, social workers in Kensington, welcoming center staff helping new immigrants, and more. You may even have one at an intersection near you. Today, we’re featuring the heroes that ensure our youngest residents make it safely to and from school—Philadelphia neighborhood crossing guards.
Crossing guards make our children and communities safer
Philadelphia is home to more than 600 crossing guards. They serve our neighborhoods and communities with dedication and commitment. They’re crucial in ensuring that children are safe at busy intersections and crosswalks.
You can see crossing guards at work in school zones all over the city. Rain, snow, hail, or shine, crossing guards are at their daily posts. They’re ready to guide traffic and provide support as our loved ones travel to and from school.
One crossing guard’s story
We had the pleasure of speaking with retiree Sarah Jones, who served as a city crossing guard for 16 years. As a wife and mother of two, she wanted a career that would allow her to both work and be available to her family.
“I was a housewife for 18 years. When my daughter left for school, my son still had two years left, but because of a hardship, I had to return to work.” Sarah needed a position that would also allow her to be available to her son. A position as a crossing guard seemed like the best thing to do.
As she retired, she shared some of her most rewarding and memorable moments during her time of service and reflected on the impact she made.
“Christmas breaks were always great. I was often invited inside for festivities and events with students and staff. I enjoyed that the most. However, watching the development of the children was most rewarding. I got to form relationships with the families and witness growth in the children. I wore many hats – weatherperson included. Some years were better than others, with the fluctuation of different children coming and going each school year, but the relationships gained were nice.”
Sarah’s admiration and influence extend beyond the families she interacts with daily. She often mentors newcomers in the field, offering support and sharing helpful tips. After 16 years, she understands the importance of connecting with coworkers.
“Whenever there was a new guard within a four-block radius, I would introduce myself to and exchange numbers,” she said. “I wanted them to feel free to call me if they needed anything.”
Sarah says she’ll miss the relationships she’s built with families and her school community.
“Everyone knows that if you cross my path, I’ll chat with you. I’ll miss interacting with the people the most.” She continued, “As a crossing guard, I always greeted people with a “good morning,” whether I got one back or not. I hope to be remembered as someone you could come to for anything and who was always willing to help.”
Now that Sarah is retiring, she’s excited to pursue new things. She wants to get certified in CPR, volunteer at the PAL center, and spend lots more time with her grandchildren. “My kids are all grown and doing their own thing, but sharing this time with my family is important.”
Crossing guards: creating an impact across the city
Crossing guards improve traffic safety, so they’re overseen by the Department of Streets. Streets Deputy Commissioner Christopher Newman shared this statement:
“Our School Crossing Guards ensure the safety of Philadelphia students walking and biking to and from schools across the city’s many intersections. They’re not only the familiar friendly faces our children know and rely on to get them safely across streets, but they are an essential and fundamental part of the City’s and School District’s overall commitment to providing safe routes for children traveling to and from school.”
They are on the front lines in this effort and we are very proud of the work they do. Quite a few of our crossing guards have performed this job for many years. They genuinely care about the children they are responsible for and this is evident in their work and pride they have in keeping our children safe. We thank each and every one of them for their care and commitment.”
This school year, the City of Philadelphia had the pleasure of wishing four of our crossing guards a happy and relaxing retirement. Like Deputy Commissioner Newman, your neighborhoods and communities appreciate you! If you know a retiring crossing guard, be sure to thank them for their service.
