thank you , but I do have to say I would very much give my time to be a crossing guard , But as a single mother of two children ...the time frame in witch I would need to do so is not fitting for me ...and I am lucky I dont have to work , but it is only due to the death of my husband ...so the life of not working is not what you would think it would be for me ...I said that in haste ,as I was mad people were making me out to be a bad person

aparentwhocares: I don't think anyone is putting down what you have to say --- you have a right to your opinion, as we all do. I completely understand where you're coming from; however, you stated you have the wonderful opportunity to not have to work. Sometimes people take what they can take, even if it's not a 'choice' job because they need to pay their bills and put food on their tables. I would do the same for my children as you and put my life on the line for them and probably any child. IMHO, the readers on here see you coming across differently than what you probably intend. Your 'tone' changes as you respond to everyone. The first couple of messages really made you sound like you were against the handicap and elderly doing these jobs. Since we're in a country that doesn't discriminate, the City (our tax dollars) would be sued for discriminating based on age and disability. Unfortunately, you're one of the few lucky people who don't have to work. Maybe you should volunteer your abilities and become a crossing guard. Honestly? If I didn't have to work full time, I'd probably volunteer as well.

that I truely agree with you on that . parents need to be much more understanding of the rules and realize the rule are there to keep the kids safe

The crossing guards are hired by the city not the school district. The crossing guards that are near our school do a wonderful job helping the children and are often there beyond their scheduled time. The biggest problem at our school, and others, is the parents disregard of the parking rules: ie no parking on the yellow lines in front of the school, no drop off or pick up in the lot etc. When the police have been called to help with this problem, parents have actually gotten very "mouthy" to the police as if the rules don't apply to them only others. I have seen numerous near misses from parents stopping in the middle of the road and flagging their kids to get in the cars. A little common sense goes a long way.

wow I am just so glad you all have to cut my thoughs of this subject down ...you must have never seen the things I have ... I'm 10 sitting on the play ground and watch my best friend get hit by a truck, that came out of no where.. all because she was walking home and the crossing gaurd did not see the truck coming... he had pulled into the far right lane and kept going because he thought the person in the left lane was only stopped to turn left, neither the crossing guard or the person in the turck seen each other ...

I do drive my children to school ...because I care about their saftey ...and I think I mite take you up on the app. for a guard...I think I could provide the children with the saftey they need ...and I wouldn't even expect pay for it ...becouse Im one of the lucky ones who no longer need to work

Aparentwhocares I think you should go tothe Janesville Police department and fill out an application for the crossing gaurd job you are so full of wind you could stop traffic all by yourself, come on lady get a life be thankful these people are there to help your child cross the street no matter what condition they are in, it's not there problem it's the problem of the inconsiderate drivers that are late for work.

Crossing guards are there to ASSIST children in crossing the street. If your child does not have the ability to know to stop at the crosswalk and to look both ways and to always listen to the crossing guard, then they should not be walking to school on their own. If you have such concern, drive them to school yourself!

and I guessing none of you have young kids or you could careless if your child gets hit or even killed at a cross walk walking home from school ...you would rather protect the crossing guard

I ment to say they still should *protect the kids ..not work for lower wages

if that is needed then yes ... that is what they should do ...I would protect any child paid or not ,I would put any childs life before my own....and yes they do work for lower wages the they should , but that is their choise . America is a at will employment country

glock21sf, thanks. your condescending comment was really helpful. thanks-again.

my vote is also for unrealistic expectations

skinnypuppy: Put my vote down for '"aparentwhocares' has an unrealistic expectation of our crossing guards" ...

I am not trying to be sarcastic - but is it the crossing guard's job description to actually use their body to "block" a child from being hit by a car? If they are supposed to physically throw themselves in front of a car at lightening speed, I certainly would hope they are paid a TON of money for the risks associated with that part of the job. Can anyone clarify if that is the actual protocol, or does "aparentwhocares" have an unrealistic expectation of our crossing guards?

there is a solution, It is to take a good look at the guards physical condtion and put them in a post by a school that is best suited to them ..I am in no way trying to say that they are not needed at all but the saftey of my children and everyone else child that lives in Janesville needs to come first ...also good to know that they are hired by the JPD ..that means they are getting payed and should stay at their post for their payed scheduled times.

Wow.....I'm not sure about most people, but I can tell you when it's after school and I see a crossing guard and children at a stop, I WAIT to see what they're going to do. It seems to me that's common sense and common curtiousy to do so. Some of these crossing guards are long time members of our community, who are retired and still WANT to help schools. Most of them probably look forward to that small amount of time they have to feel needed by us. Where I grew up, the school district assigned/scheduled older students (middle/high school) to be crossing guards before and after school. In fact, they still do so. "aparentwhocares" you have a right to your opinion, but instead of publicly putting down those who try to help our children, maybe it would be better to help come up with a solution --- if there is one. Janesville has a lot of unemployed people right now and most are trying to survive....including the handicapped and elderly. I support and applaud those willing to do whatever they have to and I slow down and watch for them. If you're truly that concerned, attend a school board meeting and express your concerns over this.

aparent...The crossing guards are hired by the police department not the JSD.

If a child can move much faster then a guard ..how would that guard beable to block a child getting hit by a car ...the place where I am talking about is a VERY busy 4 lane road , in witch the far right lane does not always see children or the crossong guards stop sign. do to other traffic in the other lanes...this crossing guard also does not walk anymore then 2 to 3 feet in to the road with the children ..yet they are expected to walk the rest of the way with on coming traffic that can not allways see them . go sit out on the street and watch the children being crossed across the streets and you will see what I mean....also if she cannot do this street, do to the four lane road. Maybe the city schould atleast rethink where everyone is posted...there are much easier place for her to do a effective job

aparentwhocares: Maybe the crossing guards who supposedly have trouble walking are folks whose parents always gave them a ride to school.

aparentwhocares: How would the "almost" accidents be less likely to occur if the crossing guard had no trouble walking? Your comment is confusing in my opinion.

lol

I was and am still not putting them down for there physical abilities ...but just like any other job you need to be physicaly fit to do a job ..would we have police officers that are barely able to walking across the steet on the cities pay roll ..this is the safty of our kids we are talking about here ...and yes I have also worked with people with physical and mental disabilities and advicate for them when ever deamed fit ...but this is about the safty of children not about anything else

Ms Sassy, what is so confusing about it? If children are present then no turning right. Why can you not understand that? you know what a child is, you know what a right turn is, don't turn right when you see children in the area. Simple to me. Also no parking on school days means NO PARKING on school days, what's hard to understand?? If you can't grasp the concept stop driving.

I remember calling the JPD one year. The "no turn on right when children are present" signs confused me. (some signs say "no parking on school days, etc.)

Is it just me or did anyone else wonder that same thing?

and if it wasn't a crossing guard? would you complain about that person too? I don't think being so harsh on the crossing guards physical abilities is really the thing you should be commenting on...unless their physical difficulties makes you actually slow down to go the speed limit in these school zones...hmmm

yes this I do understand but at the same time the children need people who can protect them ...not put them in danger...also two shifts a day they should be there for atleast 1 full hour a day , witch is 30 mins in the morning and 30 mins in the after noon..and I do not see this at the school ...and I pick up one kid at 3:00 then pick up another at about 3:15 or later. so I drive by 3 schools in all and only one can walk with out major limping across the street

Well, "aparent who cares", not too many people want a job as a crossing guard. It is not a job that pays very well, even though so many parents/guardians depend on them to get their children to and from school safely. Also, these crossing guards are on a hourly schedule and leave when their shift is up, whether or not all students have left school. So maybe you should talk to the school board and ask them to keep crossing guards on longer...although that will take more tax dollars, thus more money out of your pocket.

also by one of the schools I drive by I see a guard leaving several times when there are several student left to walk across a 4 lane road by themselve..school gets out at 3:00 and she is gone by 3:15 sometimes ..leaving kids as young as kindergarden or first grade crossing the street alone

I am not the one who speaks badly of people ..but I do not understand why janesville school dis. hire people that can hardly cross the streets themselves, I have seen several "almost" accidents due to one or more crossing guards that can hardly walk across the street safely , yet alone keep the children safe,