When should school crossing guards leave their posts?

[Pea-n-Me]

Probably sounds elementary , but it has become an issue in our neighborhood.

Should they leave before school actually starts? Same time? Or afterward?

How does it work in your neighborhood?

ETA: here's the story: On Tuesday, our paid, adult crossing guard left her post 14 minutes before the start of school. Luckily I was there but two days a week my two second graders walk to school by themselves since the bus will only take them up until first grade. To get to school they must cross a very busy main road where average speed is 40 mph (though many go much faster) and from there the walk is about 1/3-1/2 mile straight to school.

I called the transportation supervisor who said he would talk to this guard and tell her to stay at least until school starts until 8:10am. This morning she was not there at 8:10am. I waited in the schoolyard and despite the fact that school officially starts at 8:10am, the kids were still playing in the schoolyard until 8:20am.

ETA one more time - just realized the official start of school is 8:15am which means she actually left 19 minutes early on Tuesday and at least 5 minutes early today!!

 

[pfishgirl]

Our crossing guards gets there before the children do and leave after they are gone..about 30 minutes after the bell rings they leave..

 

[golfgal]

Our town only has crossing guards at controlled intersections so it really doesn't matter when they are there because the kids can cross on the green light just as easily with them as with out them. It's crazy. In our old neighborhood we had over 50 kids that had to cross one of the busiest streets in town, no stop sign stopping the traffic on the busy street. We tried for years to get a crossing guard there and we were always told that crossing guards had no authority to stop traffic, whatever. The crossing guards that they do have are there 1/2 hour before school starts and about a 1/2 hour after school gets out.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

Are you talking the paid adult or the kid patrols?

The paid person should wait until after the bell rings, maybe even 5 minutes later. The patrols should be able to leave a few minutes before school starts so they are not late.

T&B

 

[BibbidiBobbidiBOO]

Our crossing guards gets there before the children do and leave after they are gone..about 30 minutes after the bell rings they leave..

Same here. We have GREAT crossing guards in our area.

Are you talking the paid adult or the kid patrols?

I had not idea kid patrols were still used! We did that when we were little, but I assumed it was deemed to dangerous for kids to control cars now.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

OP updated with details. Our crossing guards are paid adults.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

Our kid patrols have many jobs--helping the adult crossing guard, helping the kindergarteners to and from their classes, watching over the lines before and after school (with the help of teacher), keeping watch on the bus, etc.

T&B

 

[Tigger&Belle]

Wow, I would call and report this person again!

T&B

 

[believe]

The schools in our town don't have crossing guards. Children either have to take the bus or parents have to take them to school...they are not to walk to school on their own.

Growing up our guard was there till the playground was empty.

Curious...why are kids outside past the start of school? What are the hours the guard is actually paid for? They may only be paying her till 8am. I would report her, but also ask these questions.

 

[Serena]

Report her.

Now, maybe because my kids went to the school that I was a crossing guard at. But I was there before school started and about 15 minutes after the late bell, although I could leave when the late bell rang. On winter days when the kids were even later, I stayed later.

This job was only 1 1/2 a day, sheesh and she even do that much.

 

[Skatermom23]

She shouldn't leave until the bell rings! I bet those are her official hours anyway. I would report her....

 

[Pea-n-Me]

She is paid for 1/2 hr. Problem seems to be that her supervisor doesn't see a problem with her leaving at 8:10 despite the fact that school starts at 8:15. I think it's a safety issue but he disagrees so we've come to an impasse. I have calls in to the principal and superintendent.

 

[Cindy's Mom]

I wouldn't report her....I'd fire her butt!!! She should be there for at least 10 minutes after the bell. IMO, that's when a child can really get in an accident; since they are late for school already, they may try and cross against the light. Get rid of her ASAP!

 

[Serena]

If she's not there to help the kids get to school, what exactly is she there for?
They need to adjust her hours so she can be there when needed. Or pay the couple dollars more for her to be there longer.

 

[Serena]

I wouldn't report her....I'd fire her butt!!! She should be there for at least 10 minutes after the bell. IMO, that's when a child can really get in an accident; since they are late for school already, they may try and cross against the light. Get rid of her ASAP!

In my district, they were so short staffed that they hated to fire anyone. More parents need to step up and do the job so the kids can be protected. It's not always fun and it can be dangerous, but it's worse for the kids.

 

[kadaten]

Well, since she's paid, I'd find out what her official hours are, and see if she's actually covering those. If she's not, then definitely report her. If she is, but the time is not long enough (like if there are kids crossing before or after she's there), then I would petition the district to extend the time that they provide guards.

While you or I, as an unpaid parent, would stay until we were sure that all the kids who needed to cross had done so safely , someone who is paid to do it is only going to be there for the time she's paid to be there.

 

[disykat]

I think the school should pay someone until the official school start time (if they have paid guards, that is - we don't). Technically after the bell rings the school would not be responsible for safety outside the school. Then they need to let the parents know that supervision is only provided until that time.

I don't think you are being unreasonable to expect the guard to be there until the bell. I know our school does have problems with parents wanting extended supervision for their convenience (I had a neighbor complain once that there was no one on duty on the playground and her child liked to go early to play!), but until school starts seems like a no-brainer.

 

[BibbidiBobbidiBOO]

I know our school does have problems with parents wanting extended supervision for their convenience (I had a neighbor complain once that there was no one on duty on the playground and her child liked to go early to play!), but until school starts seems like a no-brainer.

Our aides have duty on the playgrounds starting 45 mins before school starts so that kids can get there and play. I think teachers rotate a week at a time a few times a year doing either this or car pick up line. DD always wants to go about 15 mins. early to "socialize".

To the OP-Our crossing guards are wonderful. The neighborhood families adore them and give gifts at Christmas and end of the year. They wave at EVERY single car to pass by. They seem to enjoy their jobs. It is a true neighborhood school though. They are there early and stay long enough. It seems you do have a problem with yours. Good luck!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

She is paid for 1/2 hr. Problem seems to be that her supervisor doesn't see a problem with her leaving at 8:10 despite the fact that school starts at 8:15. I think it's a safety issue but he disagrees so we've come to an impasse. I have calls in to the principal and superintendent.

Is it a money issue? Perhaps he has to pay her the full 1/2hour if she stays till 8:15? Underlying issue, perhaps?
I hope you get it fixed!

Since moving here to Texas, kids walk, ride bikes, dogs, skateboards, scooters, strollers. Yes the elementary school only has 4 buses for a HUGE school.

Not only are their paid crossing guards who do a wonderful job but they have posted 20 mile an hour speed limit signs.

 

[disykat]

Our aides have duty on the playgrounds starting 45 mins before school starts so that kids can get there and play.

Wow! Your district must have lots of extra money floating around!