Gilroy Crossing Guard
Giving More Than Safe Passage
Written By Amy McElroy
If you see Alex Hernandez on the corner of Third Street and Santa Teresa Road , you ’ d see a long-time Gilroy resident helping school children and their families safely through the crosswalks on their way to and from El Robles Elementary School . You may see a former student lean out the window of his car and yell , “ Hey Mr . Alex !” Or you might hear Hernandez asking a passing youth how junior high or high school is going . What isn ’ t seen so much as it ’ s felt is Hernandez ’ deep commitment to his community , his long history of service , and the family loyalty that led him to that corner .
Hernandez grew up in Morgan Hill and attended the former Encinal Elementary — now Charter School of Morgan Hill — from first through eighth grade . He graduated in 1968 from Live Oak High School , where he met his high school sweetheart , Rose , who is now his wife .
After graduating from Gavilan College with a degree in Administrative Justice , Hernandez began working as a volunteer for the Morgan Hill Police Auxiliary between 1970-1984 and enjoyed working as an employee at special events like football games at his former school . He then joined United Technologies in San Jose as a senior buyer and planner . Unfortunately he was laid off in 1998 , just one year prior to his scheduled retirement .
During his time at United Technologies , Hernandez and his wife had two sons and a daughter . They now have nine grandchildren .
Hernandez started working for the Gilroy Unified School District 12 years ago , when his oldest grandson started asking him to have lunch with him at his school , El Robles Elementary .
School lunches with his grandson became such a frequent routine that his wife asked him , “ Why don ’ t you ask if they have anything you can do over there ?” When Hernandez told his wife the school needed someone to do yard duty , she said , “ What is yard duty ?”
Hernandez accepted the job and , in addition to helping during the lunch shifts , would help the children safely cross the street to the school in the morning and afternoon . He noted , “ I enjoy meeting all the parents and kids — all kinds of people — and talking to them while we wait for traffic to clear .”
He smiled as he described coaching flag football during lunch . “ I make faces at the kids and tell stories . I twist the rope while they jump .” But his favorite part of the job is knowing that his grandson knows he ’ s there even though he doesn ’ t see him too often throughout the day .
Hernandez ’ sense of giving extends beyond his family to his community . Since moving to Gilroy , he and his wife graduated Gilroy Leadership ’ s second class , and they ’ ve joined the Hispanic Chamber . He ’ s volunteered as a tutor for children and at events to benefit scholarships . Hernandez has served as the President and Vice-President of the League of United Latin American Citizens and , after five years with the Gilroy Elks Lodge , he ’ s currently the Esteemed Loyal Knight — in line to be the Esteemed Leading Knight next year .
Over the years , he ’ s received many displays of gratitude from parents . “ They appreciate what you are doing for their kids and give me all kind of cards and stuff . It ’ s really rewarding .” Even when the job gets tough , the parents support him . “ Sometimes the weather is really hot , and I ’ m really hot . But a parent may bring me a popsicle from the ice cream truck across the street or a bottle of water .” The drivers , for the most part , smile and stop when he blows the whistle .
For the first time , this year , Officer Felix Figueroa from the Gilroy Police Department performed special training for the crossing guards . Hernandez explained , “ The officer gave us handouts spelling out
how to stand in the middle of the street , train kids to look both ways , training parents to follow the rules .” Since the training , things go more smoothly . “ I ’ ve got them all crossing in the crosswalk now ,” Hernandez said , smiling .
In this recent training with the police department , Hernandez also learned that crossing guards are not supposed to direct traffic . Yet many drivers still expect him to help alleviate transportation congestion around the school . If Hernandez could share any advice with the public about crossing guards , it would be this : “ Bear with us when we ’ re out there in the intersection . Crossing the kids is our first priority , and second is crossing parents . Directing traffic is not our responsibility . We can ’ t take on that responsibility or liability for an accident .” At the same time , it ’ s hard for Hernandez to say no to anyone ’ s request for help .
For instance , when his oldest grandson graduated from El Robles , his other grandchildren asked , “ Hey grandpa , why don ’ t you come do yard duty at our school ?”
His wife asked , “ Why don ’ t you see if there ’ s an opening ?” Several years later , those children have now graduated , and there ’ s another grandchild at El Robles .
Hernandez asked the principal , “ Can I come back ?”
Of course , the principal said , “ Sure .”
GILROY • MORGAN HILL • SAN MARTIN NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2016 gmhtoday . com
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