{"id":14175,"date":"2019-02-13T06:10:46","date_gmt":"2019-02-13T11:10:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newwestschools.ca\/archive_241212\/?p=14175"},"modified":"2019-07-22T20:30:28","modified_gmt":"2019-07-23T00:30:28","slug":"rain-snow-wind-and-cold-protecting-our-students-daily","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newwestschools.ca\/archive_241212\/rain-snow-wind-and-cold-protecting-our-students-daily\/","title":{"rendered":"Wind, Rain, Snow, and Cold: Our Crossing Guards make a difference"},"content":{"rendered":"\"\"\n

Recognizing community-minded dedication to student-safety: It’s Crossing Guard Appreciation Day Wednesday!<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

All-weather protectors…<\/h3>\n
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Mark Layzell, manager of operations and transportation at New Westminster Schools.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

February 12, 2019 – Wednesday is Crossing Guard Appreciation Day across Canada – and at New Westminster schools, 17 trained adults are helping make every day a little safer for students, parents and residents.<\/p>\n

“Crossing Guards are a vital part of our school community – they’re dedicated, trained, friendly, reliable – and community-minded,” said Mark Layzell, the district’s manager of operations and transportation.<\/p>\n

“Today is the day we want to recognize their work assisting students and other pedestrians get to and from school safely – in the rain, in minus 8 temperatures, in the snow. It doesn’t matter!”<\/p>\n

Dedication, reliability – and layers!<\/h3>\n

Longtime crossing guard Cindy Kaila has weathered it all in 20 years of helping kids and community members cross busy streets in school zones.<\/p>\n

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Longtime crossing guard Cindy Kaila makes 8th Street and Queens Avenue safe for Fraser River Middle School students…<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

She\u2019s been stationed at Fraser River Middle School, and formerly John Robson elementary, for nearly two decades\u00a0 \u2013 and always comes prepared.<\/p>\n

This week \u2013 it\u2019s been nothing but hiking boots and long johns, she laughed.<\/p>\n

Layzell notes that crossing guards can be particularly hard to find – requiring someone who typically lives in the area and who can work twice a day, in the morning and afternoons.<\/p>\n

Karl Sturmanis is a relatively new addition to the Crossing Guard team, and is now stationed at Richard McBride elementary school.<\/p>\n

After a lifetime of work as a biologist and land-use planner with First Nations in BC and northern Canada, he finds being a crossing guard in the community has unique rewards.<\/p>\n

“I’ve had more chocolates and Christmas cards signed by kids than ever. And there’s even the occasional coffee service on a Friday afternoon,” he said.<\/p>\n

As a biologist, he’s used to the outdoors.\u00a0 But he also notes the challenges.<\/p>\n

Making school zones safe for everyone…<\/h3>\n

“Traffic can be really challenging and safety is a concern,” said Sturmanis.<\/p>\n

“You try to make an environment for the students and parents to feel safe. Crossing the street is one less thing they should have to worry about and I am happy to provide a bit of a safety umbrella. You get to know people and the kids really appreciate it…”<\/p>\n

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Former biologist and land use planner Karl Sturmanis now works to keep school zones safe…<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Layzell said crossing guards are trained in traffic safety and work with New Westminster Police annually to refresh their skills.<\/p>\n

Drivers in our school zones are reminded to slow down and look around – and obey laws:<\/p>\n