CROSSING GUARD

SCHOOL DISTRICT 170
CHICAGO HEIGHTS, ILLINOIS

TITLE: Crossing Guard
QUALIFICATIONS: Completion of the 8th grade, with functional skills in reading, writing, and mathematics.

JOB SUMMARY: To provide for the safe movement of children to and from school when crossing public roadways and intersections by observing gaps in the traffic and leading the children across the roadway or intersection. Crossing guards are not to
engage in traffic direction or control.

REPORTS TO: Principal, Chief Financial Officer and other Central Office Administrators.

SUPERVISES: Students arriving and departing from school.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT: Salary, benefits and work year to be established by the Board of Education.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Stand on the curb or edge of the roadway on the side of hte street where students are

approaching.

• If possible, wait until a small group of students has assembled.
• The students are to wait at least one step back from the curb or roadway edge. Instruct

the students prior to crossing:
a. Not to move until given a verbal signal. The crossing guard should tell the
student what the verbal signal will be (example: “Look for traffic and start
crossing.”)
b. To walk their bicycles or scooters, and carry skates or skateboards while walking
across the street in the crosswalk.
c. To conduct a vehicle search using the pattern, “left, right, left and over their
shoulder for turning traffic”.

• The crossing guard should enter the street according to the following sequence (children are still at the curb):

a. Wait for a gap in traffic stream on your side of the street.
b. Face closest oncoming traffic.
c. Alert oncoming traffic, using your whistle and your hand of “stop” paddle.
d. When safe to do so, step off the curb or leave the roadway edge.
e. After traffic stops, walk to the center of the street and stand at the edge of the crosswalk nearest the center of the intersection.
f. Face opposite approaching traffic, if any. Alert opposite approaching traffic as described above.

g. Confirm that all traffic has stopped, including any turning vehicles. Do not allow any motorist to cross the crosswalk until you are finished crossing the students.
h. Stand in the center of the street facing the intersection on the crosswalk line nearest to the intersection, parallel with the crosswalk.

• Turn your head towards the students and verbally signal them to begin their search pattern (left, right, left and over their shoulder for turning traffic) and have them proceed across the crosswalk when it is safe to do so. Students should not be allowed to run, ride their bikes, skates, scooters, or skateboards while in the crosswalk.

• Exit the street according to the following sequence:

a. Wait in the center of the street until the last student of the released group has reached the opposite curb or roadway edge.
b. Walk back to the roadway edge or curb, lower your hand(s) and allow traffice to resume.

• Repeat recommended procedures.

Signalized Intersection Procedure

• Stand on sidewalk or edge of the road on side of street from which students will cross.
• As students gather, push “WALK” button.
• Instruct student to wait one step back from the curb edge until verbally signaled to begin the crossing process.
• After completing the vehicle search and determining that it is safe to do so, enter the street with “fresh” green or “WALK” signal. Stand in the center of the street facing the intersection on the crosswalk line nearest the intersection, parallel with the crosswalk.
• Alert oncoming traffic as described above. Gain the attention of motorists maneuvering to make right or left turns. Do not allow any motorists to enter crosswalk until the students have finished crossing.
• When the traffic stops, verbally signal the students to begin their search (left, right, left and over their shoulder for turning traffic) and cross when safe. Instruct the students to continue walking if the signal changes to “FLASHING DON’T WALK” (FDW). Help students learn that FDW means Don’t Start across the street.
• Wait until students have finished crossing the road.
• Return to the edge of the road or curb, lower your hand(s) and allow traffic to resume.

DO’S AND DON’TS
DO be on time and attentive to duty. Arrive at your post a minimum of five minutes before starting time to assess conditions.
DO wear clean, neatly pressed clothes. The public often judges the entire agency by one member’s appearance.
DO assist any person wishing to cross the street at your post (primarily children or the occasional adult). Remember that directing vehicle traffic is not your job. Your assignment is helping pedestrians to safely cross the street.
DO use proper procedures in helping children.
DO be sure to wait for adequate safety gaps in traffic to cross any person, adult or child.

DO be especially watchful for turning motorists.
DO remind children to look to the left, right, left and then over their shoulder for turning traffic before proceeding into the crosswalk.
DO be sure that approaching vehicles are stopped, stopping, or not near enough to constitute a hazard before crossing children.
DO remind children to remain one full step back of the curb and wait for your verbal signal to cross.
DO remind children to cross only at a corner or at an approved crossing.
DO remind children that horseplay and running in the crosswalk are not allowed.
DO remind students to walk bicycles/scooters and carry skates/skateboards across the street.
DO ask parents or adults to cross properly and cross their children properly. Be tactful.
DO notify a supervisor at least 24-hours in advance to obtain a relief officer if you cannot be at your post.
DON’T direct motor vehicle traffic.
DON’T begin crossing children before your duty period begins.
DON’T leave your post for any reason.
DON’T transfer your responsibilities to children.
DON’T eat or drink while on duty.
DON’T drink alcoholic beverages, or use narcotic substances while on duty of before reporting to duty.
DON’T smoke or use tobacco products while on duty.
DON’T use profanity.
DON’T strike or place your hands on the children or student safety patrol.
DON’T keep children at the curb any longer than necessary to get them to safely cross the street.
DON’T jump or dart out into the street or take unnecessary chances.
DON’T stand in the street except when crossing children.
DON’T sit in your car while on duty.
DON’T invite or allow children to sit in your private vehicle.
DON’T obstruct your vision or freedom of movement.
DON’T park your private vehicle in restricted areas.
DON’T motion any vehicle through a school “STOP” sign or any other traffic control as you do not have the authority to do so.
DON’T stop vehicles for violations or become involved in arguments with motorists or citizens walking or bicycling. Report all problems to your supervisor for handling.