As a past Washington School Site Council member in the mid- 90's, I was proud to lead a group of concerned parents and residents in a quest to get two intersections posted with 4-way stops around the school. The speed limit on one of the streets, was even posted at 30mph. It took two long years of gathering signatures and meeting with Burlingame officials to result in any changes.

Even after signs were finally installed and the speed limits lowered, there was never a point in time when we felt safe enough to do without our adult Crossing Guards. Mary, our cherished crossing guard, stopped many a relentless speeder from plowing down children and other residents, trying to get across the intersection. A petit, demur woman, she protected the kids as if they were her own.

Now, with the future of Crossing Guard funds in jeopardy, I urge residents of this town to help our local PTAs by donating to the "$32 Solution", a wonderful program developed by the Citizens for a Better Burlingame.

Now, more than ever, crossing guards are not a luxury, but a necessity. Please check out the program on the CBB site.

– Written by Jennifer Pfaff