Local Crossing Guard Retires

An old African proverb says that “it takes a village to raise a child.” The successes of the City of Oak Forest are a direct result of many unsung hero’s who believe in the well being of our children. It takes the entire community of different people interacting with our children in order for them to learn and grow in a safe environment.

In today’s world, our “village” is more necessary than ever. We live in a fast-paced, digital, and pressure-packed world. Today’s children are faced with a plethora of challenges and opportunities. Because of this, the “village” is welcome and necessary to prepare our students for tomorrow. We are blessed in Oak Forest to have wonderful support, strong community partners, and a true village approach.

On Friday, June 4th, Walter F Fierke Education Center gathered to celebrate the contributions made by one stakeholder in our community, crossing guard, Linda Naegele. Lynn has worked tirelessly for 18 years directing traffic on a what could be a very dangerous intersection for students and families in Oak Forest. Throughout her years of service, lynn has gone above and beyond the call of duty. In years past, she trained new crossing guards in the community, educated families on safety procedures, and facilitated a program in which students became active participants in the safety of their community. Lynn is truly one of the unsung hero’s of Oak Forest and will be missed by her jr. patrols, the students, and the parents of the community.

While this may not be breaking news, it’s a small reminder that average people like Lynn bring value to our community. There are many more unsung hero's in Oak Forest who may never receive praise or recognition for what they do. Today, let’s all take some time to thank the members of our community who make our day to day lives easier and safer.