Chicago Public Schools Celebrates Crossing Guard Appreciation Month

CHICAGO—Chicago Public Schools (CPS) will celebrate the more than 700 crossing guards who help CPS students and families safely arrive and depart schools every day during Crossing Guard Appreciation Month which runs from today through March 14. CPS Crossing Guards are located at busy intersections across Chicago and help students and community members cross streets safely.

"Crossing Guards play a vital role as part of our school support staff," said CPS CEO Pedro Martinez. "Our dedicated Crossing Guards help ensure that students arrive safely to and from school each day. They are active members of every community in Chicago. We recognize and thank Crossing Guards this month and throughout the year for their hard work and for serving as safety role models for our students."

Nominations for the Crossing Guard of the Year award open today and will be accepted until 5 p.m. on Monday, April 14, 2025. Four exceptional individuals will be chosen as winners, one from each region, and their names will be revealed on a date to be determined. Chicagoans, including students, school leaders, and families, are encouraged to participate in the nomination process starting today. Nominations will be evaluated based on factors such as years of service and attendance, among other criteria. Nominations can be submitted here.

“The safety and security of our school community members is a top priority for the District,” said CPS’ Chief Operating Officer, Charles Mayfield. “Our Crossing Guards work diligently to ensure the safety of our students and families throughout the City each day. We are excited to honor our Crossing Guards during Crossing Guard Appreciation Month.”

The dedication of CPS Crossing Guards has garnered both local and national attention. 2024 Crossing Guard of the Year winner Tammy Anderson, known as the “Dancing Crossing Guard,” was spotlighted in Chicago news outlets for her quirky outfits. Anderson can be seen at her assigned intersection in neon glasses and a flashy wardrobe across Chicago’s far south region. In December 2022, the Today Show featured Angela Thompson, a Crossing Guard at Fiske Elementary in Woodlawn for close to two decades, for the toy drive she has organized for nearly two decades.