Originally Posted by
genec
Oddly, in my youth... in the '60s, I was a crossing guard, as a 5th and 6th grader. Interesting that now we seem to need adults to do this. BTW I know that isn't always the case... my local school in San Diego had kids that held stop signs on poles and blew a whistle and lowered the poles (like long lances) out toward the road for crossing access. So I guess adults are not required "everywhere."
In Philadelphia the student crossing guards were called "safeties"
In my youth in the 50's I was a school safety for my elementary school at the 3 way intersection of Oak lane Ave, Broad Street (Rt 611) and Old York Road. Sometimes a policeman was also stationed at this intersection to assist children crossing this intersection. I think I did it in 5th and 6th grade. We wore a diagonal white (non reflective belt). I don't recall anybody being transported by motor vehicle to my elementary school.
A benefit was that every year the Phillies would sponsor school safety day and all the school safeties were bused to a complimentary day game at Connie Mack Stadium.