Franklin Matters: crossing guard

Showing posts with label crossing guard. Show all posts

Saturday, August 30, 2025

Franklin Police with a message in advance of schools opening Sep 2

Gather around let’s have a chat

Our Franklin Public Schools are starting up next week. Let’s have a refresher on some of the school zone driving rules.

1. The speed limit during school hours is 20 MPH…not 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, etc.

Franklin Police with a message

2. When the big yellow school bus or small white school bus stops and extends that red octagon that says STOP, that means stop. If you are behind the bus, this means stop. If you are driving next to a bus in the same direction of travel and this octagon comes out, it also means to stop. If you are traveling in the opposite travel lane and a bus is approaching you, stops, and extends the red octagon…you guessed it, you must STOP.

3. Crosswalks are those painted walkways in the road connecting sidewalks. These help people cross the road safely. Some are high-tech with flashing lights. If someone is standing next to the sidewalk clearly trying to cross the road, you must stop. If you think someone is standing next to the sidewalk and might be crossing, you should probably stop.

PSA: not stopping for someone in a crosswalk, realizing this, and waving and mouthing “sorry” to someone you almost hit on a sidewalk is not a get out of a citation free card. It’s impossible to get stopped and cited for a crosswalk violation if you just stop for someone at a crosswalk. Waiting 10 seconds for someone to cross the road will always be quicker than getting pulled over.

Traffic and school zone safety is everyone’s responsibility. Officers will be a constant presence in our school zones this year ensuring everyone’s safety. Here’s to a safe and successful school year! If you need us, we’ll be there!

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/1AHSiz7SyU/

Thursday, November 6, 2014

Much ado about her hats

There was mush ado in a short period of time within the closed group on Facebook called "Friends of Franklin". The issue was raised that Susan Johnson, the colorful and friendly crossing guard at the Oak St school crossing had been told she could not wear her hats any more.

Despite the attempts to quell the fury that erupted, the comments continued and a petition started to circulate. The petition is not necessary.

Some folks need to consider what is on Facebook carefully before responding. Facebook is not designed to make it easy to review all the comments, however in cases like this, a review of the comments would have revealed this was a non-issue but that did not stop some from continuing to raise the alarm.

A tempest in a teapot, over a hat, and all for a non-issue. The back story on the incident is summarized in the text of this email from Superintendent Maureen Sabolinski

Last spring there was an accident at the Oak St school crossing

MA Dept of Labor (DoL) investigated this summer - meeting with Jeff Nutting, DPW, Franklin Police and Franklin Human Resources

The Dept of Labor gave some guidelines for crossing guards - (apparently DoL investigates when there is any accident with a crossing guard)

Lisa Trainor met with Ms. Johnson and suggested that the hats are a distraction. Lisa supervises the crossing guards.

Lisa and I met this morning, what the DoL provided are guidelines and not regulatory so it is within our purview (Franklin Schools) to mandate compliance.

Lisa chatted with Ms. Johnson this morning and told her it was her choice to wear hats if she wants to

Note: this is one of the crossing areas that will be getting the new signals currently in use at the King St crossing to Parmenter School. This new signal will hopefully help to slow down the traffic and make it safe for the kids to be crossed by Ms Johnson.