Crossing Guards - More Than Just A Fasionable Icon.
Debbie Hyland, the Crossing GuardDark skies filled with looming clouds, snow falling, the wind blowing and the thermometer flirting with twenty below. The roads icy and slick from the previous nights freezing rain, visibility limited. But the show must go on! Drivers carefully make their way on crazy city streets to and from work or home, in treacherous conditions
Enter, "The Crossing Guard."
Standing diligently against the elements and vehicular dangers, Debbie Hyland has a job to do in some very inclement weather. Ensure your children cross the road safely, to and from school. For the last year and a half, Debbie has had a post on Central Ave, east of St.Mary's Highschool in Brockville, and takes her job seriously.
While driving around Brockville after our most recent ice storm, looking for things to photograph, I came across this brave woman dressed for the weather complete with high visibility hat and vest, scarf around her face, stop sign in hand. This I thought, is a tough job. It is one thing to walk around town as the postal carriers do, creating heat as they burn through calories. But to stand in one place, waiting, is a completely different story and this impressed me. So I stopped to have a chat to share my appreciation for her work, and ask her how she manages to stay warm.
"Having learned a long time ago how to dress for the weather", she says, "It's not too bad. I am wearing three pairs of socks, and the warmest coat I own" Even with this acquired knowledge, clothing and experience, Debbie still finds it a little challenging to keep warm on the coldest of days . This is usually when she relies on her love of music to help her through these extra cold shifts. Admittedly, Debbie says she sometimes listens to music in her mind to help fight off the cold fingers of Old Jack Frost. Having taught music since she was sixteen years old, Debbie has quite a collection of songs to choose from in her cerebral jukebox. When asked what she enjoys the most from her work, without hesitation Debbie replied "Helping the kids, and being outside." Not to mention the exercise of walking, and standing. Believe it or not, it is harder than it looks, and has great health benefits. Debbie suffers from diabetic neuropathy in her legs, and since working as a crossing guard has experienced a bit of relief from symptoms as a result of the exercise it provides. Always good news.
“Debbie, have you ever worn a pedometer to work to see how far you walk in a day?” I asked purely out of curiosity.
The answer was no, but I could see in her eye the validity of the question piqued her curiosity so who knows, maybe in the future her own curiosity will overcome her, and she will wear one just to find out. If this happens, I hope she will let me know, because now, I am very curious. As I stood there talking with Debbie, the thought of her personal safety came to mind so I asked her about a question that flits to the forefront of my mind on a regular basis. Speeding in school zones.
Stop, Children Crossing“For the most part, people are pretty good. They slow down, pay attention to the posted speed limit, and watch for children. But there are some that don't." What surprised me about her statement was the look in her eye while recalling these events. In this occupation, I would find it pretty easy to become angered at these drivers, but this is not what I experienced from Debbie. It was concern. Worry. Everything about her told the story of how incredibly sad, and upset she would be if anything happened to these kids. It was refreshing to experience her humble honesty of what is truly important. A child's safety, not our own person comfort.
Sadly, respect for posted speed limits in school zones, and drivers reducing speed to accommodate students safety, has not always been my experience either. For those that are not aware of the posted speed limit in school zones, the maximum speed limit through these areas, is 40 kph. You'll know when to do so with the help of the blue signs, and yellow flashing lights at the beginning of the school zone. Just slightly north of the “far too often” side of things, I have been passed by many in these zones while driving, 40kph, and been given what I refer to as the “Brockville Stink Eye” for holding things up. I have even been passed by the local, and Provincial Police in these zones. One member of the local constabulary, was likely too distracted by the conversation on his phone to notice the change of speed limit, in a school zone, that he is supposed to be enforcing. Sorry Folks, it's forty for me, and shame on you if you feel it is not worthy of notice. Especially if you are in the emergency services. These are children YOUR community. I respect them, so should you.
It is with a great deal of respect for Crossing Guards, standing on the corner of school zones, high traffic areas, and train crossings, that I write this article. Not everybody is willing, or able to do this job, so respect them when you see them. They do a valuable service for this community, and they know your children well. They see them everyday and like all other members of your extended family, care for their safety. Maybe the next time you see a crossing guard, thank them and share your gratitude for their help in raising your children with a warm cup of something or other, to help easy the winter cold that is without a doubt, a big part of their existence.
