Parents, students show love for Menifee's crossing guards
By Doug Spoon, Editor Parents and students know how friendly and protective the crossing guards are in Menifee school districts. We decide...
http://www.menifee247.com/2025/03/parents-students-show-their-love-for-menifees-crossing-guards.html
By Doug Spoon, Editor
Parents and students know how friendly and protective the crossing guards are in Menifee school districts. We decided to invite our readers to help us pay tribute to these valuable public servants.
The response was impressive. It seems that our crossing guards are even more appreciated than we realized. Here are the comments and photos that were sent to us:
This is Jesse Armenta. He’s a crossing guard at Oak Meadows Elementary. He’s the best! He loves what he does, keeping everyone safe, and the parents and kids love him! In this picture it was “dress up as your favorite person day” and he chose to dress like Mr. Jesse.
-- Nicole Armenta
Ms. Anita at Menifee Valley Middle School is well-loved by all students and staff. She warmly greets all who cross her path, ensuring safety and kindness are felt each day. She makes MVMS an inviting community and embodies the core values of our school and district. We love you, Ms. Anita!
-- Lisa Marie
We love Ron the crossing guard at Mesa View Elementary! He’s so friendly and does a great job keeping our kids safe!
-- Dora Meyers
This crossing guard is amazing. She makes sure that we all are safe, especially when we have parents who don’t follow the rules of the crosswalk at Ridgemoor Elementary. To me and my girls, that means that she has an amazing heart and is definitely a caring woman. Her name is Mrs. Xochi Avalos. We appreciate her energy and love every day.
-- Katrina Kazarian
I am writing today in hopes of recognizing an exceptional person and crossing guard, Manny Melchor. I am not sure how long Manny has worked for Menifee School District or how long he has been a crossing guard, but he is an amazing young man. He has been doing the morning crossing duty leading to Harvest Hill STEAM Academy for at least a few years.
He is absolutely fantastic at his job -- maybe because I know he has a soccer background and that he always is scanning the area, just like scanning a soccer field. He keeps the flow of traffic moving like no other, always making sure to move cars from all sides and directions, but most importantly making sure our kids and adults are safe as they cross in front of the school. He puts his own safety on the line for the children and we trust his abilities wholeheartedly.
On a personal level, Manny has been a kind- hearted, caring employee in and out of the crosswalk. My son has shared many stories over the years about conversations, mostly about their common love of soccer.
-- Karen Kaloustian
I would like to give a shout-out to the afternoon crossing guard at my child's middle school, Kathryn Newport Middle School. She is Ms. Anastasia. She is always smiling and her presence is warm and welcoming. She makes sure our kids are crossing safely and always waves to the cars with her lively presence.
-- Tina JV
My kindergartener drew this picture of her favorite crossing guard at Taawila Elementary. Her name is Melody Baker and the crossing guard is Matthew.
-- Courtney Bee
We are lucky to have such a caring, loving, kind-hearted woman as the crossing guard at Southshore Elementary. She is always so cheerful and puts a smile on all the students’ and parents’ faces each day. We are so thankful for her.
-- Kyndell Baker
I want to share about Mr. Matthew Carey at Táawila Elementary. We see Mr. Matthew every morning when we walk to school, and he’s always got such a warm and friendly essence about him. He lives only a few houses down from the school, and so we also get to see him quite frequently around the neighborhood. It takes a very special kind of soul to really embrace the job of protecting the children, directing the vehicles, and caring for the well-being of everything going on during the busy school times.
-- Laz Peterson
In memorium
This is Mr. Danny. He was a crossing guard at Evans Ranch Elementary for several years until his passing. He was such a kind man. He always said good morning to each and every kiddo that he helped cross the street. In the warmer months, Mr. Danny would fill a cooler with ice and cold drinks for the kids to take on their way home. He is greatly missed!
-- Jacque Houts
Pauline was THE BEST crossing guard ever! I’m almost 30 and she used to help us walk across the street at Chester Morrison when I was in kindergarten.
-- Jessica Gibson
Note: Several others posted about their memories of Pauline Cramer, who passed away last October. Our crossing guards are truly loved. We thank all those who shared their thoughts with us.
Parents and students know how friendly and protective the crossing guards are in Menifee school districts. We decided to invite our readers to help us pay tribute to these valuable public servants.
The response was impressive. It seems that our crossing guards are even more appreciated than we realized. Here are the comments and photos that were sent to us:
“This is Mr. Ray at Freedom Crest Elementary! He has crossed all four of my children since they were in kindergarten. He is a part of our family and our best friend. He’s a part of our everyday life and we love him immensely!”
-- Tricia Moore
This is Jesse Armenta. He’s a crossing guard at Oak Meadows Elementary. He’s the best! He loves what he does, keeping everyone safe, and the parents and kids love him! In this picture it was “dress up as your favorite person day” and he chose to dress like Mr. Jesse.
-- Nicole Armenta
Ms. Anita at Menifee Valley Middle School is well-loved by all students and staff. She warmly greets all who cross her path, ensuring safety and kindness are felt each day. She makes MVMS an inviting community and embodies the core values of our school and district. We love you, Ms. Anita!
-- Lisa Marie
We love Ron the crossing guard at Mesa View Elementary! He’s so friendly and does a great job keeping our kids safe!
-- Dora Meyers
This crossing guard is amazing. She makes sure that we all are safe, especially when we have parents who don’t follow the rules of the crosswalk at Ridgemoor Elementary. To me and my girls, that means that she has an amazing heart and is definitely a caring woman. Her name is Mrs. Xochi Avalos. We appreciate her energy and love every day.
-- Katrina Kazarian
I am writing today in hopes of recognizing an exceptional person and crossing guard, Manny Melchor. I am not sure how long Manny has worked for Menifee School District or how long he has been a crossing guard, but he is an amazing young man. He has been doing the morning crossing duty leading to Harvest Hill STEAM Academy for at least a few years.
He is absolutely fantastic at his job -- maybe because I know he has a soccer background and that he always is scanning the area, just like scanning a soccer field. He keeps the flow of traffic moving like no other, always making sure to move cars from all sides and directions, but most importantly making sure our kids and adults are safe as they cross in front of the school. He puts his own safety on the line for the children and we trust his abilities wholeheartedly.
On a personal level, Manny has been a kind- hearted, caring employee in and out of the crosswalk. My son has shared many stories over the years about conversations, mostly about their common love of soccer.
-- Karen Kaloustian
I would like to give a shout-out to the afternoon crossing guard at my child's middle school, Kathryn Newport Middle School. She is Ms. Anastasia. She is always smiling and her presence is warm and welcoming. She makes sure our kids are crossing safely and always waves to the cars with her lively presence.
-- Tina JV
My kindergartener drew this picture of her favorite crossing guard at Taawila Elementary. Her name is Melody Baker and the crossing guard is Matthew.
-- Courtney Bee
I would like to pay tribute to Tim Dilks a crossing guard at Callie Kirkpatrick Elementary School. He is wonderful and great at keeping the kids safe. The kids and parents love him.
-- Ellie Woods
We are lucky to have such a caring, loving, kind-hearted woman as the crossing guard at Southshore Elementary. She is always so cheerful and puts a smile on all the students’ and parents’ faces each day. We are so thankful for her.
-- Kyndell Baker
I want to share about Mr. Matthew Carey at Táawila Elementary. We see Mr. Matthew every morning when we walk to school, and he’s always got such a warm and friendly essence about him. He lives only a few houses down from the school, and so we also get to see him quite frequently around the neighborhood. It takes a very special kind of soul to really embrace the job of protecting the children, directing the vehicles, and caring for the well-being of everything going on during the busy school times.
-- Laz Peterson
In memorium
This is Mr. Danny. He was a crossing guard at Evans Ranch Elementary for several years until his passing. He was such a kind man. He always said good morning to each and every kiddo that he helped cross the street. In the warmer months, Mr. Danny would fill a cooler with ice and cold drinks for the kids to take on their way home. He is greatly missed!
-- Jacque Houts
Pauline was THE BEST crossing guard ever! I’m almost 30 and she used to help us walk across the street at Chester Morrison when I was in kindergarten.
-- Jessica Gibson
Note: Several others posted about their memories of Pauline Cramer, who passed away last October. Our crossing guards are truly loved. We thank all those who shared their thoughts with us.
