When the morning crossing guards first appeared the sight was greeted by many with incredulity and frustration. Considering that the student body is on average pretty close to adulthood, many thought that this regulation was a little unnecessary. However, in years past, many students have been hit in front of the school when they’ve stepped off the curb without looking both ways or when they simply decided they had the right of way. And, with the addition of the drive-thru drop off lane this year, the morning traffic has been prone to jams.

Guy Rosales, assistant principal who oversees campus security, discussed the new additions in a recent interview.

Tyler Davis: What was your reasoning for implementing the crossing guards?

Guy Rosales: Well the most specific reason is that parents and drivers were reaching out to the school and had been asking for crossing guards for some time now. You also have to factor in traffic jams and students getting hit by cars.

TD: Do you know an average number of students hit by cars in the past?

GR: Actually in the past two years there have been no reported accidents; however, in all the years before that up to a certain point there have been 1 to 2 students hit by a car per year.

TD: Some students are saying that the crossing guards slow down traffic and cause people to be late rather than helping the flow of traffic, what are your thoughts on that?

GR: Actually we have had nothing but positive feedback from drivers and parents, traffic seems to be moving much better.

TD: How long do you plan to have crossing guards at AHS?

GR: Usually when crossing guards are at schools they are city issued, however our crossing guards are volunteers from Mosaic Church so we plan to have them here at AHS for as long as people are willing to volunteer.

So there you have it, those dissatisfied with the crossing guards ought to come to terms with the program because they’re here to help and they’re here to stay.