{"id":137921,"date":"2026-01-17T16:58:33","date_gmt":"2026-01-17T16:58:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/137921\/"},"modified":"2026-01-17T16:58:33","modified_gmt":"2026-01-17T16:58:33","slug":"smiles-meet-safety-how-local-crossing-guards-impact-students-every-day","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/137921\/","title":{"rendered":"Smiles Meet Safety: How Local Crossing Guards Impact Students Every Day"},"content":{"rendered":"

They are the first line of defense \u2014 and often the first smiles of the day \u2014 for students and families across Kern County. Melvin Wandick and Mike LaBarge are just two of dozens of dedicated crossing guards serving schools across the county, but their stories reflect how a wave, a smile, and a few kind words can shape a student\u2019s entire day. In return, students leave behind memories and moments that stay with the guards long after the final bell rings.<\/p>\n

For the past four years, Wandick \u2014 known to many as \u201cMr. Melvin\u201d \u2014 has faithfully protected students at Fruitvale Junior High School from his corner at Calloway Drive and Holland Street.<\/p>\n

At 66, Wandick retired from the Pactiv Evergreen Plant expecting to enjoy a slower pace of life. Instead, the days felt long, and boredom quickly set in.<\/p>\n

\u201cI wasn\u2019t trying to get richer,\u201d Wandick said. \u201cI just wanted something to do.\u201d<\/p>\n

That \u201csomething\u201d found him when he noticed a crossing guard interacting with students and families. Struck by the genuine connection, Wandick stopped to ask about the job. The guard handed him a card for J&J Special Services, a local crossing guard company, which led to Wandick submitting an application.<\/p>\n

Since 1976, J&J Special Services has provided crossing guards to school districts throughout Kern County. The company places guards at district-requested locations, hires and trains employees, conducts Department of Justice Live Scan background checks, and supplies all necessary equipment and uniforms.<\/p>\n

\"\"Elementary students roll down their windows to greet Mr. Melvin before heading to school.<\/p>\n

Over time, Wandick built strong relationships with students, families, and even passing drivers.<\/p>\n

Eighth grader Parker Miller shared how Wandick\u2019s presence sets the tone for his day.<\/p>\n

\u201cI get dropped off near the gate, but every morning I hear him shout to me from across the street \u2018Hello, good morning! Have a great day!\u2019\u201d Miller said. \u201cThat always puts a smile on my face.\u201d<\/p>\n

Last year, that familiar voice was suddenly gone. Wandick suffered a heart attack and spent several months recovering at home.<\/p>\n

His absence did not go unnoticed.<\/p>\n

Messages poured into the school from students, staff, parents, and even community members without children enrolled \u2014 all asking the same question: \u201cWhat happened to Mr. Melvin?\u201d<\/p>\n

Principal Erick Rouanzoin recalls one visit in particular.<\/p>\n

\u201cA man came in with his young daughter and said, \u2018I know this may sound weird, but I don\u2019t have a student who goes here,\u2019\u201d Rouanzoin said. \u201c\u2018My daughter is concerned about what happened to your crossing guard.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

The concern extended far beyond the school gates \u2014 and Wandick felt it deeply.<\/p>\n

\u201cI told the doctor that I needed to get back to my corner,\u201d said Wandick. \u201cI started this job because I did not want to sit around and do nothing.\u201d<\/p>\n

A week later, he returned.<\/p>\n

Waiting for him were two boxes filled with \u201cget well soon\u201d cards and handwritten notes from students and community members who missed his daily greetings.<\/p>\n

At the end of the school year, Wandick was honored as a special guest at graduation and presented with a stop sign covered on the back with student signatures.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat made me feel truly blessed,\u201d Wandick said. \u201cI watched a lot of them grow up. Many still come back just to say good morning or tell me they miss me.\u201d<\/p>\n

That impact continues to ripple outward. Wandick\u2019s wife, Brenda, was inspired to become a crossing guard herself during retirement. When she trained at Wandick\u2019s corner, students jokingly warned her, \u201cYou better not replace Mr. Melvin!\u201d \u2014 unaware she was only filling in temporarily, and that the two are married.<\/p>\n

Despite standing at one of Bakersfield\u2019s busiest intersections, Wandick has kept every student and pedestrian safe. His dedication is clearly recognized \u2014 law enforcement officers frequently wave or flash their lights in greeting as they pass each morning.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\u201cFor years I used to say, \u2018I\u2019m getting ready to go to school.\u2019 And now, I am still saying the same thing every day!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2013 Mike LaBarge<\/p>\n

Meanwhile and miles away, traffic rushes through the intersection of Old Farm Road and Yearling Avenue. Mike LaBarge raises his hand, smiles, and steps into the street. For the past nine years, that simple routine has meant safety for students at Patriot Elementary \u2014 and reassurance for families who recognize him instantly.<\/p>\n

Before taking his post on the corner, LaBarge spent 32 years as a teacher in the Bakersfield City School District and in Delano. Retirement didn\u2019t mean stepping away from students; it simply meant finding a new way to serve them.<\/p>\n

He wanted flexible hours, to stay active, and a little extra income to travel out of state and watch his grandchildren play football.<\/p>\n

The idea came from his brother-in-law, who spoke highly of his own experience as a crossing guard and the fulfillment it brought in retirement. LaBarge applied and quickly realized the role felt like a natural extension of his life in education.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor years I used to say, \u2018I\u2019m getting ready to go to school.\u2019 And now, I am still saying the same thing every day!\u201d<\/p>\n

Over the years, LaBarge has built lasting bonds with students who pass through \u201chis corner.\u201d One memory still makes him laugh.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was pummeled by water balloons by some students who were third graders at the time,\u201d LaBarge said. \u201cWe talked to each other every day and were always joking around. One day they surprised me and let me have it. Now they\u2019re in high school \u2014 time goes by so fast.\u201d<\/p>\n

Those daily interactions have created a sense of familiarity LaBarge is proud of \u2014 one he carries into every wave he gives to parents and passing drivers.<\/p>\n

\u201cI always like to wave,\u201d he said. \u201cI want people to know I\u2019m here. It reminds drivers to slow down and pay attention. There\u2019s a presence.\u201d<\/p>\n

Patriot Elementary leaders spoke highly of LaBarge, noting that he interacts with every student, knows families by first name, and in many cases, families will park and walk just so they can interact with Mike.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe is phenomenal at his job and has a great relationship with students, families, and the entire Patriot community,\u201d King said.<\/p>\n

That presence has helped keep safety at the forefront. Like Wandick, LaBarge has never had an accident on his watch and is firm about following pedestrian safety procedures.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen you\u2019ve been there a long time, the kids know you,\u201d he said. \u201cSome crossing guards use whistles \u2014 I don\u2019t. I tell them, \u2018Come on across.\u2019 When I say that, it means every car is stopped and I know it\u2019s absolutely safe. That\u2019s our cue.\u201d<\/p>\n

Though they stand miles apart on different corners, Wandick and LaBarge \u2014 like dozens of crossing guards across Kern County \u2014 share the same purpose: protecting students, building trust, and providing peace of mind for families as they send their children across the road each day. For many crossing guards, that responsibility is deeply personal.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey are my main value,\u201d Wandick said. \u201cBy coming and doing the job, I am here for them. I feel so blessed.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"Furry friends \u2014 like Zoey \u2014 are eager to greet and receive a petting from Mike LaBarge at his corner everyday. <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"Former students waving hello to Mr. Melvin as they pass by his corner on their way to high school.<\/p>\n

\"\"Mr. Melvin holding the stop sign gifted to him by the students.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"They are the first line of defense \u2014 and often the first smiles of the day \u2014 for…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":137922,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[35],"tags":[151,153,152],"class_list":{"0":"post-137921","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-bakersfield","8":"tag-bakersfield","9":"tag-bakersfield-headlines","10":"tag-bakersfield-news"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/137921","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=137921"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/137921\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/137922"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=137921"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=137921"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=137921"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}