School crossing guards are hard to find. In Barrington, Fred Welstead has been on the job 26 years — and just turned 89.

“Every student 4 years old and up carries a cellphone now. … Sometimes, the kids bump into trees when they’re texting, so I do have to remind them to be careful,” said Welstead, who added that although he enjoys the students and their families, he has grown weary of the inclement weather, and is considering stepping down from his duties at the end of the school year.