The elementary and middle schools in Kearny hosted a Crossing Guard Appreciation Day to recognize some of the men and women who help keep their students safe.

By John Heinis/Hudson County View

“Together, these partnerships help reinforce an important message: safety is a shared responsibility, and our crossing guards play an essential role in protecting our school community every day,” Superintendent of Schools Flora Encarnacao said in a statement.

On Tuesday, February 10th, Kearny’s five elementary schools, along with their middle school, celebrated Crossing Guard Appreciation Day.

The celebration was held in partnership with the Kearny Police Department, with special thanks to Lt. David Rakowski, who oversees the traffic division and works closely with our schools to ensure student safety.

The program was funded by the Hudson County Transportation Management Authority, which generously provided certificates for our crossing guards through a grant initiative, schools officials said.

The names and assignments of all the crossing guards recognized are as follows:

Roosevelt School

• Eusebio Huerta
• Mindy Gomes

Reserve Crossing Guards

• Norma Lima
• Robert Chesney

Schuyler School

• Cheryl Jahera
• J.T. Whitlock
• Florence Isabella
• Nicole Vilardo
• Walt Mikulewicz
• Natalie Speck

Lincoln School

• Ivonne Grajales
• Isana Medina
• Joyce Rowlands
• Isabella Quinde
• Nancy Grioli
• Zofia Ventoso
• Lizette Sanchez

Washington School

• Jessica Hernandez
• Ada Boney
• Michele DiGravina
• Marian Payne
• Pamela Kenyon
• Arturo Gonzalez

Garfield School

• Pamela Washington
• Maria Matos

Reserve Crossing Guards

• Ana deBrito
• Maria DePaula
• Nicole Sabbagh

Franklin School

• Maria Vega
• Pete Greb
• Elaine Doran
• Tatiana Reis
• Monica Andrade
• Max Povolotsky
• Mary Gary
• Kujtesa Berisha