Here's how one Manitowoc teacher is using his Road America flag skills to keep kids safe on their way to school
MANITOWOC – One Franklin Elementary School teacher found a unique way to remind drivers a school zone is not a speed zone.
Special education teacher Chris Madgwick volunteered to be a crossing guard at the busy intersection of 35th Street and Schroeder Drive in front of the Manitowoc school when the need was identified.
“It’s kind of dangerous for kids there,” he said. “Whether they are walking to school, or getting dropped off, we saw a need to help students cross at that intersection.”
The school’s dedicated crossing guard works another intersection and volunteers like Madgwick oversee dangerous other crossways.
As a teacher, Madgwick loves to find creative ways to keep kids engaged. So, it didn’t take long for him to jazz up his crossing guard duties.
SS Badger returns: SS Badger is ‘back, better and stronger.’ What to know about the car ferry's first sail and 2024 sailing season on Lake Michigan.
He’s also volunteered for the past four years as a corner worker or track marshal for Road America, the motorsport road course near Elkhart Lake in Sheboygan County. The marshals are stationed at various points of danger around race tracks to assist in case of collisions, crashes or track problems.
The teacher realized his duties at the popular track share similarities with his crossing guard duties at school — keeping people safe where there’s a bunch of action going on.
Road America uses a universal, unbranded flag that can be used anywhere. And since Madgwick bought and owns his own flags, he’s free to bring and flash them at school.
“I think the kids like it,” said Madgwick, who’s taught at Franklin for three years. “Only the provided crossing guard can use a STOP sign. I think my flags work to get drivers’ attention. It’s been great.”
He’s at the intersection Monday through Friday before 8 a.m. and until school starts. He’s not there when kids are heading home at the end of the school day, however.
Madgwick said he starts waving a flag as students are approaching the intersection, so drivers have time to slow down and stop before kids are in the road.
“Using the flags has been very positive,” Madgwick said. “I get some ‘hellos’ and high fives. I plan to keep doing it next school year.”
Smash room fun: What I learned by throwing plates and empty bottles in Manitowoc's new 'smash room.'
Contact reporter Patti Zarling at pzarling@gannett.com or call 920-606-2575. Follow her on X @PGPattiZarling and on Instagram @PGPatti.
This article originally appeared on Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter: Manitowoc teacher uses Road America flags as school crossing guard
