Sandy crossing guard retiring after more than 30 years

SANDY– A Sandy crossing guard is retiring after more than 30 years of helping students get across the street safely.

Janice Parker found her passion as a crossing guard while she was a parent. She decided to hop in and help out, and the rest is history.

“I was taking my kids to Park Lane Elementary, and the crossing guard there was crossing lots of kids, and she was pregnant,” Parker said. “I kind of felt sorry for her, and so I parked my car after I dropped my kids off and I asked if I could help her.”

Since that day when her crossing guard career began, Parker has become Sandy Police’s first ever crossing guard supervisor. She now schedules and trains all of Sandy’s school crossing guards. She says crossing guards serve an important purpose that makes a real impact on the community.

“I am passionate about it because it keeps the kids safe,” Parker said. “Crossing guards are very much needed even though they’re rarely recognized. They do an important job.”

The crossing guard said that even though she is ready for retiring, it is bittersweet.

“I have developed a rapport and a friendship with all the crossing guards and I am going to really miss that,” Parker expressed. “I love doing this. I have been doing this for 30 years or so and I just love doing it.”

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