Sometimes, making a big impact on a community can be as simple as making children smile on their way to school. Whether because of a rough day of classes, something happening at home, or any number of other things, students can have times where even the briefest moment of joy can brighten their entire day. Whether from someone or something that they see every day, or from something totally unexpected, these moments are invaluable. For local Windsor resident and school crossing guard Carlo Piscitello, the opportunity to be that source of joy to the children (and adults) he sees during his work is one of the most important parts of his day.
Though Carlo was originally born in San Francisco and grew up in Rohnert Park, he was able to visit the Town – before Windsor was officially a town – with his parents while growing up in the 80’s. His parents loved to bowl, which meant that Carlo would often accompany them when they would visit the Windsor Bowling Center. Additionally, Carlo also worked part-time at the Windsor miniature golf course, which used to be located where the Holiday Inn hotel now stands on Conde Lane. Thought relatively minor, these early experiences with Windsor introduced Carlo to the Town that he has now called home for over 20 years.
Indeed, Carlo’s life as a Windsor resident began in 2000, when he moved to the Town to raise his family. Carlo’s son, Mercury, and daughter, Sterling, were both enrolled at Brooks Elementary School. Wanting to both help the school and support his children, Carlo applied for a job with the school, and was hired as a Yard Supervisor. Seven years after Carlo began working for Brooks in this role, the principal of Brooks was hired at Windsor Middle School as that school’s principal. At the principal’s request, Carlo joined him in transferring schools, initially holding the same position of Yard Supervisor. After a short time, Carlo was asked to take on a new role with WMS: morning crossing guard.
Carlo served as a WMS crossing guard for two years before stepping down from that role. However, because his other job sees him working nights at the start of the week, Carlo was still able to volunteer in some of the classrooms at WMS, getting to know some of the students in the process. Once his children had graduated from high school, Carlo stopped volunteering in that capacity. After a very brief period, Carlo realized he missed getting to know the students and getting to have a connection with them. As a result, Carlo returned to WMS in 2019 to see if he could volunteer as a crossing guard again. To Carlo’s delight, the school had a crossing guard position open, a position that he accepted without hesitation.
Between his previous run as a crossing guard and his current stint, Carlo has been able to get to know many of Windsor’s students. As a crossing guard, Carlo has made it his goal to not just see children safely across the street, but to also use those brief seconds to brighten their day in whatever way he can. Carlo knows full well that children at the middle school age are going through a lot of awkward changes, and he does what he can to be a brief spot of normalcy during that scary time.
During Carlo’s current stretch as a crossing guard, he has also been able to grow his understanding of the importance of the Windsor community. In 2019, he was evacuated like many others due to the Kincade Fire. Having life be interrupted in this way helped Carlo to realize just how special the Windsor community truly is, and how important it is for everyone to be able to lean on each other during tough times. Similarly, the COVID pandemic interruptions during 2020 and 2021 showed the same thing. Each time there has been an interruption like these, Carlo has seen the sense of celebration when everyone is able to go back to work and school like before. To help bring smiles after the malaise of these interruptions, Carlo has even worn a funny, inflatable unicorn costume while doing his duty as a crossing guard on the first days back.
This year, Carlo was able to support WMS in another way. During the past 10 years, Carlo has worked hard to get into the best shape of his life, which has included participating in events such as Tough Mudder and other forms of intense physical activity. To celebrate his 50th birthday, Carlo decided to hold a fundraiser in the form of a 50k run. Initially, he was going to use the funds to help animal rescue and support groups such as the Humane Society. However, when he learned that the WMS Music Department was underfunded, Carlo chose to use the funds he gathered to support the school. After 50 kilometers (31.2 miles) run and six hours of hard work, Carlo was able to give over $4,100 to the WMS Music Department.
Outside of his work as a crossing guard, Carlo has also been able to support the Windsor Community in other ways. In 2008, Carlo was appointed as a part of the Town’s Parks and Recreation commission by Sam Salmon. Carlo was able to serve on the commission for 8 years or so, during which he was able to help various Windsor neighborhoods through grants and other services.
Within Windsor, Carlo has recently moved into the Vintage Greens neighborhood. As a part of this neighborhood, Carlo sees his neighbors often when out on walks or in the local parks. In addition to this, one of Carlo’s best friends lives right across the street from him, providing even more sense of community. At home, he is also the proud owner of a 12-year-old Blue Nosed Pit Bull named Lola. Carlo has owned her since she was a puppy, and has loved every minute of it. “I’ve always owned large breed dogs (Rottweiler, Boxer, Labrador, English Bulldog), and she is by far the sweetest dog I’ve ever had,” Carlo says.
Though his children are now grown, Carlo is proud of the lives they are now living. His son, Mercury, is currently a full-time student at San Francisco State University, while his daughter, Sterling, recently finished studying in the Disney College program, and is now training to be a safari guide at Safari West. “I really look forward to being able to go visit Safari West with her as my guide,” Carlo says.
All in all, Carlo has dedicated himself to improving the lives of those around him, as well as himself. From his marathon and Tough Mudder participation, to his work as a crossing guard, Carlo loves being able to support the students of Windsor however he can. To the Town of Windsor, Carlo says: “I love being able to work at Windsor Middle School and helping the kids. I think kids at that middle school age are a little misunderstood, because so much is happening to them that’s not their fault. They’re going through this time of change and don’t really know what’s happening to themselves. I really have compassion for them. I always make eye contact, give them a fist bump or a wave as they go through, or even just have a short conversation with them. It’s so important to let them know they’re cared about and seen. A fun little jolt of happiness is a great thing!”
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