Crossing guards recognized in North Bay on appreciation day
Wednesday marks Crossing Guard Appreciation Day, a day to thank crossing guards who make sure children cross the street safely.
Whether it's -30 or pouring rain outside, crossing guard Cory Potter is always at his intersection of Norman Avenue and Connaught Avenue.
"It's a community service every day and seeing all those smiling faces of the kids really makes it worth getting up early," said Potter said, who started the job a few months ago.
When he's patrolling his intersection located between two schools, he waves at drivers reminding them to slow down in the school zone. Unfortunately, some inattentive drivers frustrate him.
"But generally, the people are pretty good at understanding that when I hold that stop sign up, you better stop," Potter said.
The City of North Bay, North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit and the Nipissing-Parry Sound Student Transportation Service paid homage at city hall Wednesday morning to the 17 crossing guards who currently work busy intersections.
"Not every student takes transportation," said student transportation service executive director Chuck Seguin.
“A lot of them walk and there are spots where they absolutely need that trusted assistance.”
The organizations presented them with certificates and larger, light-up stop signs.
"This is actually great especially on a foggy day or a day with crazy weather," said crossing guard Elizabeth Tremblay, showing off the new handheld sign.
"It can get bad where I am."
Anyone interested in being a crossing guard can contact the municipality they live in.
"In any community where parents are feeling apprehensive about their children crossing streets safely, it's worth a call to the municipality to have the area reviewed," said Seguin.
"There are standards the municipality will follow."
Potter is grateful for the recognition and said he has the best job in the world.
"We care about the kids, No. 1," he said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'A beautiful soul': Funeral held for baby boy killed in wrong-way crash on Highway 401
A funeral was held on Wednesday for a three-month-old boy who died after being involved in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 in Whitby last week.
'Sophisticated' cyberattacks detected on B.C. government networks, premier says
There has been a "sophisticated" cybersecurity breach detected on B.C. government networks, Premier David Eby confirmed Wednesday evening.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
Biden says he will stop sending bombs and artillery shells to Israel if they launch major invasion of Rafah
U.S. President Joe Biden said for the first time Wednesday he would halt shipments of American weapons to Israel, which he acknowledged have been used to kill civilians in Gaza, if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu orders a major invasion of the city of Rafah.
Canucks claw out 5-4 comeback win over Oilers in Game 1
Dakota Joshua had a goal and two assists and the Vancouver Canucks scored three third-period goals to claw out a 5-4 comeback victory over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 1 of their second-round playoff series Wednesday.
Nijjar murder suspect says he had Canadian study permit in immigration firm's video
One of the Indian nationals accused of murdering British Columbia Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar says in a social media video that he received a Canadian study permit with the help of an Indian immigration consultancy.
Pfizer agrees to settle more than 10K lawsuits over Zantac cancer risk: Bloomberg News
Pfizer has agreed to settle more than 10,000 lawsuits about cancer risks related to the now discontinued heartburn drug Zantac, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the deal.
Quebec premier defends new museum on Quebecois nation after Indigenous criticism
Quebec Premier Francois Legault is defending his comments about a new history museum after he was accused by a prominent First Nations group of trying to erase their history.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his brain more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.