On Thursday, February 26,, the School District of Lancaster paused to recognize a group of individuals who quietly shape the start and end of every school day. Our school crossing guards.
In recognition of National School Crossing Guard Appreciation Day, district leaders, school safety staff, and members of the Lancaster City Police Department gathered to host a breakfast in their honor. It was a small gesture rooted in sincere gratitude for the work they do each morning and afternoon across our city.
Dr. Hershey opened the gathering with warmth and appreciation.
“I’m so happy to welcome all of you today and to just say thank you for all that you do,” she shared. “The safety of our students is paramount to us. Having you ushering our little chicks across the street is super important. Rain, sleet, snow, whatever the weather, we really appreciate you caring for our students and for the rest of us. And any dance moves are also appreciated.”
Her words captured the spirit of the role. Crossing guards are protectors. They greet students by name. They notice new backpacks and fresh haircuts. They calm nerves on the first day of school and offer steady reassurance when mornings feel rushed. Long before the first bell rings, they help set the tone for a safe and welcoming day.
Sergeant Sumrall, representing the Lancaster City Police Department, acknowledged the reality of the job.
“It’s been a tough winter. It’s been cold,” he said. “Through the elements, through all of the trials, I really appreciate you showing up each and every day for our community.”
Crossing guards serve one hour in the morning and one hour in the afternoon during the school year, but their commitment extends beyond those two hours. They are designated for public safety and work directly with the police department. In addition to their daily assignments at intersections, they assist with special events throughout the year. They aren’t seasonal employees. They are trained partners who play an essential role in keeping our students, families, and neighborhoods safe.
Chris Krokos, Coordinator of School Safety, shared why the district has made this annual breakfast a priority.
“Since my arrival in the district, we’ve been more intentional about strengthening our relationships with our partners who help our students, our staff, and our families,” he said. “Crossing guards are one of those partners. It’s the simple things that matter sometimes. We just like to come together once a year to honor them with a small breakfast as an act of kindness and thankfulness for everything that they do.”
For Supervisor Tanya Ortega, who has served for three years, the role is both professional and personal.
“I love cross guarding,” she said with a smile. “I’m a people person. I just love solving problems, being out with the kids, being out with my coworkers. You have to love children. You have to be patient. You have to love your job. If you don’t love your job, you’ll never make it out there. You have to love being out in the cold and greeting people.”
Her perspective highlights the heart required for the job. Crossing guards manage traffic patterns, respond to unpredictable weather, and sometimes de-escalate tense situations. At the same time, they build relationships that last for years as they watch students grow from kindergarten to middle school and beyond.
Belinda Hill, who has been a crossing guard for nearly two years, echoed that same sense of purpose.
“I love children, and I love the parents. The children are just so innocent. I just love taking care of them and making sure that they’re safe,” she said.
Her story reflects the community-centered nature of the role. Many crossing guards are recruited through relationships and word of mouth. They join because someone sees in them the patience, consistency, and care that the job requires.
The School District of Lancaster’s strategic plan calls for a Culture of Belonging where students feel safe, valued, and supported. That sense of belonging begins well before students enter the classroom. It starts at the curb, at the crosswalk, at the intersection where a trusted adult stands watch.
Our plan also emphasizes the importance of Family and Community Engagement, recognizing that strong partnerships are essential to student success The partnership between our crossing guards and the Lancaster City Police Department reflects that commitment in action. They ensure that our students’ daily journeys to and from school are safe and supported.
As students step off buses, ride bikes, or walk hand in hand with siblings, they do so under the watchful care of individuals who understand the responsibility they carry. They wave traffic forward. They raise their stop signs high. They create a visible barrier between vehicles and children. They stand firm in the cold and steady in the rain.
The breakfast served as a reminder that while their work happens at the edges of our campuses, its impact reaches deep into the heart of our district.
To every school crossing guard who shows up before sunrise, who stays present in every season, and who makes safety a daily promise, thank you. Your presence makes a difference every single day. You help ensure that every child’s journey to school begins and ends safely.