SAN DIEGO — When it comes to getting students from the street to their desk at Hancock Elementary, it's safety first. In this Zevely Zone, I went to Tierrasanta to meet San Diego's top safety patrol.
"School safety patrol attention," said the leader of the crossing guard. The sun was rising at Hancock Elementary but believe me, no one needed an alarm clock. Every fifth-grader has a whistle.
It was a cold San Diego morning.
"I can't feel the side of my face," said one student.
But things were about to heat up quickly with the safety patrol.
"Squad formation, let's get loud," the group roars.
Permission to enter the campus was granted by fifth-grade teacher Amanda Shelton.
"I'm over the moon. I really am. I could not be more proud," said Amanda.
She was talking about an award they received. I mean everyone was talking about the city's top crossing guard cup presented by the San Diego Police Department.
"Holy cow. I don't know who is more excited. I mean, the day that it was announced me and the kids were all jumping," said one parent.
Don't even think about crossing these kids. The school bell was ringing and so were my ears.
"Ahhhh, that's a whole lot of whistling," I said.
And they're not just keeping a close eye on the students. They have clipboards to monitor bad parent driving for illegal U-turns and parking in the red zone.
The award-winning patrol even has its own theme song.
"Safety patrol, doing safety patrol, holding signs and blowing whistles safety patrol," they sang.
Hancock Elementary is surrounded by military housing which means 90% of the students who go to this school are from military families.
Nicole Birthelmer is married to a Navy submariner and knows character when she sees it.
"Honestly, I think it's because they have traveled and they have met different people and they have different experiences than regular kids," said Nicole.
Don't just take her word for it. Listen to a few students who are satisfied customers:
"They help us cross the street and I like how they do that because it's really helpful," said a student.
Military kids move around a lot but it's safe to say they've found a home at Hancock.