MJ: Hi Mr. Stein. How did you get started in the crossing guard business?

RS: I started 15 years ago when my oldest daughter who’s now 20 was five. I used to walk her to school each day and just for fun I made a flimsy red stop sign that accompanied us each week. If other girls reached the corner when we did I’d cross them too. On my way home I still had the stop sign in my hand so I’d cross more girls who were just arriving.

After a few months of this I noticed that many young girls were crossing the streets by themselves and I felt it wasn’t safe. I decided to go early before my daughter left for school and stay until all the girls had crossed. This lasted for about a year. The parents were very grateful.

The following year one of the administrators asked if I would do it for real — she’d get me a real stop sign and an official neon suit. I said “Sure why not?” I’ve been doing it ever since.

MJ: How long do you stay on your post each week?

RS: School starts at 9 so I try to get to my corner by 8:30. I stay until 9. Since the girls only have a half-day on Sunday they come home at 12:30. I’m there for the return trip from 12:30 to 1.

Several years ago I started making up parshah poems to make the crossing more exciting. I prepare two poems one for the younger kids and one for the older ones. I tell the girls my poems as I cross them. I now have parents who walk their kids to school just to hear my poems!