Take a Job that Makes a Difference: Crossing Guard

ROCHESTER HILLS, MI — Here's an outdoor job that helps contribute to healthy kids: crossing guard. Rochester Hills is currently hiring crossing guards at several school locations, the Rochester Post is reporting. Rochester Hills crossing guard pay — covering one morning and one afternoon session — is between $26 and $28 per day. Applicants must be age 18 or older and pass a physical exam and a drug screening.

According to the National Center for Safe Routes to School, adult school crossing guards play an important role in the lives of children who walk or bicycle to school by helping them safely cross the street at key locations. Guards remind drivers of the presence of pedestrians while helping parents feel more comfortable letting their children walk or bike to school.

“Walking to school is a great way for kids to get the physical activity they need,” said Rochester Hills Mayor Bryan Barnett in a statement. “Crossing guards are an important part of making sure our youngest residents get there safely.”

Recruiting crossing guards can be difficult, Barnett said, due to the unique times of day that guards are needed. Crossing guards work one hour in the morning and another hour in the afternoon on days that school is in session.

According to Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan officials, 32.6 percent of Michigan children under the age of 17 are overweight or obese — compared to the national average of 31.3 percent — and physical activity is a key element in lowering those numbers.

Nearly 150 schools across Michigan were recently chosen to join the Blue Cross Building Healthy Communities program to improve health and wellness through better nutrition and physical activity for their students. Building Healthy Communities is a comprehensive initiative that supports children’s health by providing students, teachers and administrators with tools and resources to improve student health, while creating a healthier school environment.

“Building Healthy Communities has been an enormous success in Michigan, helping hundreds of thousands of students stay active and make better food choices,” Lynda Rossi, executive vice president of strategy, government and public affairs at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, said in a statement.
Crossing guard applications are available at www.rochesterhills.org or at the Rochester Hills municipal building, located at 1000 Rochester Hills Drive, off Avon Road, west of Livernois.

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