Peer Mediation with Barbara Radnofsky

At Crossroads, we support our students through the challenges of relationship-building, helping them navigate friendships, communication, and occasional disagreements. Whenever conflict arises, we work to find positive ways to a resolution. As part of our overall support system, we are thrilled to have had professional mediator, Barbara Radnofsky, with us this week to conduct an introductory course on the concepts of peer mediation, a skill set that will benefit all Crossroads students.

The purpose of the student course is to create the opportunity for students to learn that conflict is inevitable and that we must learn and practice skills to manage conflict in positive ways. Students are trained on the elements of the mediation process, promoting respect, advocacy, active listening, and improved communication skills between peers. The in-service workshop provided the staff with the background and essential elements of mediation, what it means to have peers as mediators, how to select potential peer mediators from the student body, and how to establish a peer mediation program at our school. A successfully implemented peer mediation program provides students with a neutral and peer-driven support system through which to resolve conflicts and promote positive peer interactions.

To culminate our training experience, our students will present a short demonstration this coming Wednesday, May 1, at 2:30pm at Crossroads School. We invite you to attend.

The demonstration will show our families and school constituents what peer mediation looks like and how it can help resolve issues before they turn into larger problems. Students will discuss the skills and other details necessary for a successful peer mediation.

Barbara is a longtime Houston area lawyer, mediator, and arbitrator and has established peer mediation programs at the Monarch School and the HUB, as well as for schools in Spring Branch ISD. She is co-founder of the Houston chapter of the National Association of Urban Debate Leagues serving HISD students. She serves on numerous local charitable boards and as a peer mediation teacher in both public and private schools. She is also co-owner of the Brazos Bookstore.

We are grateful to have Barbara sharing her expertise with us and look forward to identifying our first peer mediators!

Mitch Pengra

Head of Social Development

[email protected]

(713) 977-1221

Welcome back to the Board of Directors

Crossroads School, Inc. officially welcomes Doug Evans back to the Board of Directors. Doug previously served on the board from 2009-2016 and we are thrilled to report that he is back around the conference table. As the past President and CEO of Gulf Interstate Engineering and current Chairman, Doug brings a strong business background with him.

He was originally introduced to our school through a neighbor and Crossroads alum. Doug will be an asset in helping to assure we fulfill our mission.

High School Field Trip- Westpark Recycling Center

The High School students explored the Westpark Recycling Center this week and learned a great deal about how recycling is handled in Houston. We saw old computers, electronics, glass, styrofoam, cardboard, paper, paint and aerosol cans. Many items are accepted at this site that can not be recycled at our home curbside pickup.

Safety is the first priority so all students and chaperones were given reflective vests even before entering the facility and a safety discussion was the first activity. Click the link below to learn more about where and how you can recycle.

A few interesting facts we learned:

Goosebumps Field Trip

Brian Chambers played the lead role of the phantom in the "Goosebumps: Phantom of the Auditorium" musical. Many students remembered working with Brian when he acted as a support in the elementary classroom during September and October.

As Seen on Campus...

The students practiced "How-To" writing by explaining how to recycle crayons. After engaging in the project activity, students were better able to describe the steps in their writing practice.

Graduation / End of Year Event

Please mark your calendars to attend the culminating event for this school year. Graduation will be held in the Social Hall at Congregation Brith Shalom at 4610 Bellaire Blvd. The parking and entrance is located in the rear of the facility, off of Cedar Street. More information will follow.

May 24, 2019

9:00 AM

Parents and Guests are welcome

Yearbook Ads and Messages

Honor your child with a TRIBUTE MESSAGE, which can include text or pictures. You can also ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS with an ad in the Crossroads full-color, Yearbook! Please send your information to Ms. Julianne by the May 10 deadline.

Sizes Available:

Business Card $25

1/4 Page $50

1/2 Page $75

Full Page $150

Click on the cover graphic to download the form for submitting tributes or ads.

Community Events

Executive Functioning at All Ages:

What Is It & What Can We Do To Facilitate It?

Saturday, April 27, 2019 -

9:00 sign in, 9:30 am -11:45 am

Presented by the Attention Deficit Disorders Association (ADDA-SR)

Hosted by the Westview School

1830 Kersten Dr., Houston, TX 77043

Do you have children who forget to put socks on before shoes, over-react to small problems or setbacks, impulsively react to others, or get distracted and fail to finish what they start? Do the adolescents or adults (including parents!) in your home get lost, show up late, easily lose their cool, and always seem unprepared? These and similar behaviors are related to Executive Functioning, or the “mental manager” that controls and direct our behavior, emotions, and actions. These skills develop over time and may be able to be improved or built upon with simple to implement games and strategies.

Sienna Ranch Baptist Church presents:

Celebrating Progresses, Social Time, Dinner, and Game Night

9119 Sienna Ranch Rd. Missouri City

This will be an informative and social time with emphasis on Social and Fun.

Please Register online as soon as possible so we can plan properly and provide enough food.

Event Cost: $10.00 per person to cover the food and refreshments. You can pay at the door the night of event.

We also want to share how Spectrum Fusion is helping young adults on the Autism Spectrum find meaningful employment. We will have some video clips of presentations from the Reactor Room which brings community and business leaders together to mentor and network to find employment opportunities.

Crossroads School Events & Reminders