Crossing guard Rosie Paulson

Students cross into new school year

MORRIS—The first adult who welcomed some of the students of Immaculate Conception School in Morris back for another academic year was crossing guard Rosie Paulson.

Sporting her reflective orange vest and holding her paddle stop sign, the 69-year-old member of Immaculate Conception Parish in Morris Parish smiled as she halted the busy traffic and motioned for the students to cross at the intersection of Route 47 and Main Street in the heart of the rural Grundy County community.

“It’s always fun to see the kids when they come back to school,” mentioned the grandmother, who attended Immaculate Conception School herself when she was a youngster.

A Morris crossing guard for over three decades, Paulson said the job runs in the family. During an interview with the Catholic Explorer Aug. 27 at her post, she explained that her mother, Francis Niewinski, worked as a crossing guard for many years.

The best part of the job is seeing former students as parents, said Paulson. Often when she looks at the youngsters she finds herself noticing how they resemble their mothers and fathers. “That’s always a fun thing,” said the white-haired crossing guard. Interacting with people from the community is also a highlight of the occupation for her, she added.

The senior citizen, who works morning and afternoon shifts, said her husband, Raymond, fills in twice a week when she undergoes kidney dialysis.

On the mornings she works, Paulson stops at her parish before her shift to attend Mass. “That’s just a good way to start the day,” she said. Reliance on the Lord is a major part of the job for her, she said, emphasizing that oftentimes it is “scary” standing in the middle of oncoming traffic. During her tenure, she said she has had to pull youngsters out of the way when motorists barrel through her makeshift barricade. Overall the work is “rewarding,” she added.

As for the youngsters she interacts with on a daily basis, Paulson said, “I have no problems with them. They’re usually nice and polite. They make the job fun.” On the other hand, she enforces all the rules and regulations at her corner. “I’m strict,” she said.

Remarking about Paulson’s friendly attitude, young Philip Kumor said, “She’s always smiling.” The 13-year-old seventh grader at Immaculate Conception School, added, “She’s very nice.”

“She really looks out for the safety of these children,” said Kim DesLauriers, the principal of Immaculate Conception School. “She’s very faithful to our school … she’s just a wonderful lady.”

DesLauriers mentioned the red motor scooter Paulson typically drives to her post and around town. When students see it in parking lots, they know their crossing guard is nearby, he said. “It’s symbolic of her,” he said.

“Rosie is a great asset to this community,” Chief Tracey Steffes of the Morris Police Department told the Explorer.

Paulson vowed she will continue serving as a crossing guard “as long as my health holds out.” The veteran crossing guard added, “I’ll keep doing it as long as I’m as alert as I can be.”

Youngsters enjoy greatest stories ever told

JOLIET—The co-directors of the Franciscan Learning Center, Franciscan Sisters Carol Jander and Margaret McGuckin over the summer months developed Jesus Story Time. This program presents the messages of the New Testament in ways in which preschool and kindergarten audiences can understand.

Since the new school year started last week, Sister Jander has been reading the stories to the children. The new program is interactive, Sister McGuckin told the Catholic Explorer. It applies the Gospels to the “everyday experiences” of the 3, 4 and 5 year olds, she said.

Learning about right and wrong “is primary here,” said Sister McGuckin. “We want them to be kind to others,” she said. Along with the director, three others work at the learning center.

The 10,000-square-foot building has rooms for reading, mathematics, science, music and art. About 80 youngsters from communities including Joliet, Plainfield and Shorewood also utilize computers as a means of learning, noted Sister McGuckin.