Jessalyn Duguay
Special to Niagara Now/The Lake Report
Bruce Dickson has been helping Niagara-on-the-Lake students get to school safely for three years.
The retired Toronto investment executive, who now mans the school crossing zone on Line 2, behind Crossroads Public School, said it is by far the best job he’s ever had.
“I became a crossing guard when my wife noticed an ad in the newspaper, saying the town was looking for a crossing guard,” Dickson said in an interview. “I love children, and at the time I had parted company with my part-time job, so my wife thought (this job) would be something that kept me busy.”
On Wednesday, the Municipal School Crossing Guard Program Committee of Niagara recognized Dickson, Victor Tee (St. Davids Public School), and Ingrid Tachauer (Crossroads and St. Davids) for the third annual Crossing Guard Appreciation Day.
The trio of safety sentinels will be featured on the town’s social media for the occasion and students were given the option of presenting them with thank-you cards that the town provided.
The best part of the job is the kids, Dickson says. “They are all always so polite and kind. I’ve gotten to see them grow up and develop these personalities,” he said.
“It’s a heart-warming thing that makes you feel alive, connected, part of the community. Because, well on the serious side, we (as crossing guards) are doing something that is really for their safety. And that makes you feel valuable and happy that you can do something for them.”