Crossing guards ensuring safety during busy times
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — As a crossing guard in Springfield, Debbie Prothero says she couldn't have more fun at a job. "You watch them grow. You know, I've seen kids go on to Pipkin, you say goodbye to them the year before. It's kind of one of those bittersweet moment," Prothero said. "You watch them grow [...]

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — As a crossing guard in Springfield, Debbie Prothero says she couldn't have more fun at a job.
"You watch them grow. You know, I've seen kids go on to Pipkin, you say goodbye to them the year before. It's kind of one of those bittersweet moment," Prothero said. "You watch them grow over year, summer comes round. You know, they look like they've grown a foot."
She's been doing this for years.
"My first year I was at Roundtree and Boyd, and then I've been at Boyd and Weaver, and this be my fifth year," Prothero said.
Prothero is just one of several crossing guards, ensuring students get to and from school safely.
"It's very important. The safety of the children. Number one, especially on Division Street, the people don't pay attention to what they're doing, looking at their phones," Prothero said. "Right now, my school zone sign isn't working, and in the morning, they're not blinking. So that's even more scary."
She says she'll do this as long as she can.
"It's good to see kids and get some fresh air, and it's fun," Prothero said.
Rares Golea, who Ozarks First spoke to on Tuesday morning when he was dropping off his kids, says he's been impressed with the level of safety.
"It has been incredible. We're big walkers, so if we can, we always choose to walk versus drive everywhere," Golea said.
He's happy with Prothero and the district overall.
"One thing that's put us at ease is just seeing their staff being so proactive as far as walking them across, making sure cars are stopped. [When there's] a green light, so they just kind of a lot of communication between them," Golea said. "I do feel a peace knowing that somebody is watching them at all times. They're not just crossing back and forth on their own."
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