LAKEWOOD, Ohio — Schools across Northeast Ohio are ramping up for another academic year with many districts scheduled to start in about a month.
In Lakewood, the safety of the students comes before they even step foot inside a building.
The police department in the west side suburb is looking to hire three to four crossing guards for the school year.
Captain Gary Stone with Lakewood PD said they're looking for applicants who:
- are at least 18 years old
- have a driver's license
- have the ability to stand for long periods of time
- can work in inclement weather
- have a high school diploma or GED
At this point, it's unclear how many days a week students within the Lakewood City School District would be inside the classroom for instruction. The school released their reopening plan last week and it includes four different teaching options for students and teachers. According to the school's website, here are the four models:
- All In model - At this level, 100% of students will return full day, every day, with safety protocols in place, including spacing to promote 3-foot distancing. Families will be asked to provide their child(ren) with a face covering to be worn daily at school. Staff will wear face coverings as well. Parents/caregivers will be required to take their student(s) temperature before the student attends school. This will be implemented when Cuyahoga County is under a Level 1 with the State Health Advisory System.
- Partial - Grades K-12 will attend full-day, every other day. Preschool students will follow their regular calendar. At this level, safety protocols in place will include spacing to promote 6-foot distancing. Families will be asked to provide their child(ren) with a face covering to be worn daily at school. Staff will wear face coverings as well. Parents/caregivers will be required to take their student(s) temperature before the student attends school. This will be implemented when Cuyahoga County is under a Level 2 or 3 with the State Health Advisory System.
- Remote - All instruction will be delivered remotely with staff and students participating from home. Once the State of Ohio Risk Level has decreased, staff and students will return to their school buildings with the Partial or All In model. This will be implemented when Cuyahoga County is under a Level 4 with the State Health Advisory System.
- eLErning LKWD - This option is for families who want to commit to a full semester of online coursework. These students will not return to the building at all during the first semester of the 2020-2021 school year. The first semester concludes on December 17, 2020.
Crossing guards make $15/hour and usually work about two hours a day. However, Capt. Stone said with so many uncertainties going into the school year, applicants for the crossing guard positions should be prepared to work different hours than in years past.
"Really, like with many things with COVID-19, we're unsure. We can't explain or can't be sure what's going to happen. So if one were to apply and be under consideration they have to keep in mind whether they would be needed or not," he said. "We're still kind of in a state of flux wondering what will happen with the schools. Will they open on time? What will be their attendance patterns? What will be their crossing patterns? How many schools will be open? So we're kind of unsure right now but we're prepared when they start school up again."
To apply for a crossing guard position, click here.
