Crossing guards will be on duty to keep students safe

With the new school year starting on Sept. 3, we would like to remind parents and students that there will be school crossing guards posted near the following schools: Lucy N. Holman Elementary School will have guards on South Cooks Bridge Road and Castle Avenue, South Cooks Bridge Road and Georgian Boulevard, Manhattan Street and Castle Avenue, Manhattan Street and Georgian Boulevard, and on the emergency access road that runs along the side of Holman School.

The Howard C. Johnson/Crawford Rodriquez Elementary School will have guards located on Larsen Road and Birch Drive, the Larsen Road path, North New Prospect Street and the entrance into Camp Joy, and on the roadway in Camp Joy.T

he Sylvia Rosenauer Elementary School will have guards located on South New Prospect Street and Citadel Drive, South New Prospect Street and Bryant Drive, and Citadel Drive and New Hampshire Street.

We ask that you pay close attention to the school crossing guards' instructions while crossing the street. We also ask that adults, with children, follow the crossing guards' instructions. This will teach the children the proper way to cross the street should there come a time that you will not be with them.

The following are some basic rules that need to be followed while crossing the street. We ask that you go over them with your children:

• Do not leave the curb or enter the street until the crossing guard verbally tells you it is safe to do so.

• Always stay inside the lines of the crosswalk.

• No horseplay, pushing or running while crossing the street.

• Do not cross at any point of the street other than those designated with a crosswalk.

Remember, we are here for the safety of your children. Should anyone bother your child or attempt to get them into their car, your child should know that they can come to the crossing guard and we will contact the authorities immediately. We care about your children and their safety. Together we can make their walk to school a safe and healthy one.

On another note, I would like to remind all motorists that as of May 2007 bill S1079 was passed giving school crossing guards the ability to issue tickets to motorists who fail to obey their signal to stop. The bill reads:

Penalty for failure to comply with school crossing guard's signal to stop. A motor vehicle operator who fails to comply with a school crossing guard's signal to stop during those time periods when that guard is duly authorized to control or direct vehicular or pedestrian traffic pursuant to section 4 of P.L. 1079, c. 82 (C40A:9-154.4) shall be fined not less than $150 for a first offense. For a subsequent offense, the operator shall be fined not less than $300.

Please pay attention to the school crossing guards. We are here for the safety of your children. Please help us to ensure that this will be a safe and enjoyable school year. Thank you and have a great year.
Saundra Suiter
School Crossing Guard Supervisor
Jackson