Helping Hands at the Crosswalk
Every morning and afternoon, streets near schools become very busy places. Yellow school buses rumble down the road, family cars pull up to drop off students, and children walk or ride bicycles along the sidewalks. Because there is so much movement in one place, school zones require special care. Trained adult crossing guards play an essential role in keeping these busy intersections orderly and safe for everyone.
The Guard's Important Role
School crossing guards are trained adult community helpers. Their main job is to find safe gaps in street traffic so that students, parents, and other pedestrians can cross from one side to the other. Because streets can be dangerous, only authorized adults are permitted to manage traffic. Children should never try to direct cars or step into the street to stop vehicles.
Crossing guards wear bright, high-visibility clothing such as neon yellow or orange safety vests. These bright colors help drivers spot them from far away, even on rainy or foggy mornings. Many crossing guards also carry a handheld stop sign. When it is time to help people cross, the guard holds the sign up high so drivers traveling in every direction can clearly see it.
Working as a Team
- intersections:
- Places where two or more roads meet or cross each other.
- pedestrians:
- People who are walking along a street or sidewalk.
- authorized:
- Having official permission or the right training to do something.
- high-visibility:
- Very easy to see, especially because of bright or glowing colors.
- curb:
- The raised stone or concrete edge along the side of a street.
- dismissal:
- The time of day when school finishes and students are sent home.
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Preview questions from this passageShowHide
- 1What makes streets near schools especially busy in the morning and afternoon?
- 2What is the main responsibility of a school crossing guard?
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About this report passage for 3rd Grade
“Helping Hands at the Crosswalk” is a report reading passage about school crossing guards, written for 3rd Grade. It takes about 3 minutes to read (522 words) and comes with an interactive quiz and a printable worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.