MassDOT Crossing Guard Appreciation Campaign

07:29AM / Wednesday, March 04, 2026Print Story | Email Story

BOSTON – The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT), announced the launch of the sixth annual Safe Routes to School Crossing Guard Appreciation Campaign, recognizing the role crossing guards play in keeping students and families safe across Massachusetts.

The campaign begins with a Crossing Guard of the Year nomination period, followed by Crossing Guard Appreciation Day on March 25, and will culminate with the announcement of the 2026 Crossing Guard of the Year award winners. Award recipients will be recognized at the Annual Safe Routes to School Awards Ceremony in June.

"All crossing guards play a vital role in keeping students and families safe across the Commonwealth, and while this contest provides an opportunity for the public to recognize those who serve their own communities with dedication every day, know that all are invaluable and we thank them for their service," said Interim MassDOT Secretary and MBTA General Manager Phillip Eng. "Under the Healey-Driscoll Administration, safety remains everyone's top priority, and we encourage the public to nominate the crossing guards who continue to make a difference in the lives of students and families. Thank you to everyone who helps keep our children safe on their way to and from school."

Last year, the Safe Routes to School (STRS) program received an overwhelming number of nominations, resulting in multiple honorees at the 2025 annual awards ceremony. Jill Boyd (Braintree) Soleil Hanger (Pittsfield) and Lie-Mei Ho (Newton) received the Crossing Guard Champion Award. Bridget and Gerry Buckley (Boston) received the Honorable Mention Award, and Gina Hayes (Malden) was named Crossing Guard of the Year.

The nomination period opened on Sunday, March 1, closes at 5:00 p.m. on Crossing Guard Appreciation Day, Wednesday, March 25. On that day, schools and students are encouraged to recognize the crossing guards in their community in ways that are meaningful to them.

The nomination form, a printable thank-you cards, and promotional flyers are available on the SRTS website in the Engagement section. Schools must be SRTS partners in order for their Crossing Guards to be eligible. Previous award recipients are not eligible. The number of nominations received does not impact a crossing guard's chances of selection, and communities are encouraged to collaborate on thoughtful submissions.

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15 People Displaced in Pittsfield Home Fires

Staff Reports11:35AM / Sunday, October 11, 2026

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Fifteen people were displaced after 2-alarm home fires this weekend on Springside Avenue and Elaine Drive.

On Friday evening, the Fire Department responded to a structure fire at 209 Springside Ave., which took a four-hour battle to extinguish and resulted in a partial roof collapse. The next day, on Saturday evening, crews knocked down a fire at 121 Elaine Drive in about an hour.

The garage and part of the single-family home on Elaine Drive were gutted to the frame, along with a vehicle parked in the driveway. On Springside Avenue, the top level and porch of the multifamily were burned through.

A GoFundMe has been started for the family of the Elaine Drive home, which includes several young children. The fundraiser, with a $5,500 goal, explains they lost their home and all of their belongings. (iBerkshires.com does not confirm or endorse fundraisers; they are provided as information only.)

There were no civilian or firefighter injuries, and both incidents are under investigation. One dog was rescued on Springside Avenue.

On Oct. 10, around 6:15 p.m., PFD responded to the Springside Avenue home for a reported structure fire and saw a 2 1/2-story wood frame multifamily with a heavy blaze showing from the second-floor front porch, extending out.

The building suffered a partial roof collapse, which prolonged extinguishment. The fire was brought under control after about four hours.

“An aggressive offensive attack was mounted by first arriving crews stretching hose lines into the building as well as primary searches that proved negative. Ladders were placed around the structure to provide access as well as escape if needed. An off-duty Fire Captain had also been on scene early in the incident to help evacuate the structure and rescue a dog,” PFD wrote in a press release.

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