Lyles-Crouch crossing guard, on the job for 50 years, to be honored later this week by ACPS

For 50 years, crossing guard Cora Reed has helped students get safety to Lyles-Crouch Traditional Academy (LCTA). Later this week, Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) is hosting a ceremony to honor her work.

ACPS said the meeting will include presenting Reed with a certificate from a statewide program.

“Cora Reed, a crossing guard at Lyles-Crouch Traditional Academy (LCTA), has been recognized as one of Virginia’s Most Outstanding Crossing Guards by the Virginia Safe Routes to Schools program (VA SRTS),” ACPS said in a press release. “She will receive a letter, certificate and gift from the VA SRTS program for her service. Ms. Reed was nominated for this honor by families at Lyles-Crouch and was selected for the award from more than 170 nominations across the state.”

The ceremony will be held at 8:10 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 9, at the intersection of Gibbon Street and S. St. Asaph.

“Families who nominated Cora Reed stated she has been taking care of the students at Lyles-Crouch and other Alexandria City schools for nearly 50 years,” the release said. “She is an integral part of the school community and is vital to drop-off and pick-up. She has a positive and encouraging attitude and is a friend to all. Ms. Reed teaches students safe pedestrian behaviors and encourages them to use the crosswalk.”

There are 18 crossing guards hired by the Alexandria Police Department (APD), all of whom will receive a care package at the ceremony. The release also noted that the city is currently facing a shortage of crossing guards, in addition to other hiring difficulties at ACPS.