Friday is School Crossing Guard Appreciation Day. Flagler Schools Superintendent LaShakia Moore and Assistant Superintendent for Academic Services Angela O’Brien made surprise visits this morning to thank our illustrious crossing guards, providing in partnership with the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office, who ensure that our students get safely to campus every school day.
At Wadsworth Elementary School, Superintendent Moore helped guard the crosswalks and thanked crossing guard Thomas Maccini for his service to our students.
She also joined our friends from the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office to present honors to our morning crossing guards along Belle Terre Parkway at Wadsworth and Buddy Taylor Middle School.
Superintendent Moore then stopped in for a few minutes with Yvonne Fertall and William “Sandy” Cheney, crossing guards at Rymfire Elementary and Bunnell Elementary, respectively.
A little further up the road, at Indian Trails Middle School, Assistant Superintendent Angela O’Brien met up with Brigitte Richard, who recently was promoted to a full-time crossing guard after two years, and Ellen LeMay, a five-year veteran of the crossing guard team. They were joined by SRD Thomas Douglas as they waited for the last two students to arrive for school.
During a break, the two guards had a chance to enjoy some hot coffee—it was 44 degrees outside—and donuts in a conference room with ITMS Principal Ryan Andrews and the APs.
“We appreciate everything you do,” Andrews told them. “We appreciate what you do every day.”
Next door, at Belle Terre Elementary School, O’Brien presented gift bags and certificates to Richard Rivera, a former Brevard County law enforcement officer, and Michael Folger, a one-time GM executive, who had just finished making sure a handful of Bobcats made it safely across Belle Terre Parkway to their campus.
“I’ve watched these kids grow up,” said Rivera, who has been a crossing guard at the school for three years. “I remember some of them when they were little and clinging to their mom or dad, and now they’re confident and able to walk here by themselves. I’m surprised to see how many parents are so appreciative of what we do.”
“We try to set a good example and they develop a respect for the law,” Folger said, who has been a crossing guard at BTES for more than a year. “I love being here first thing in the morning. We have a ball.”
