March 13, 2020
A Note from the Board Chair...
As you can imagine, the topic on the forefront is how to adjust to all the changes required in light of COVIC-19. The situation is fluid and we are assessing the situation as more information continues to become available. This article will keep you informed on the steps Crossroads is taking and provide some recommendations for you to use while your child is home over the next few weeks.

What is happening at Crossroads:
  • School is closed for students, consistent with HISD, from Friday, March 13 through Monday, March 30. At this point, we plan to resume classes on Tuesday, March 31.
  • The school campus will have an extensive cleaning during this time. Surfaces and high traffic areas will receive extra attention and disinfectant treatments.
  • Teachers are working on plans for distant learning. Teachers will be in contact with students following our regularly scheduled Spring Break (3/16-3/20). Students will need access to a computer during this time. (See comment below.)
  • Homeroom teachers or another staff member will be calling on a daily basis to check in and see how everything is going and talk to the students directly.
  • Teachers are preparing packets for each student. These will be delivered or emailed
  • Students will be instructed to complete two i-Ready lessons per day in both reading and math.
  • Students may contact their teachers at any time through email. Teachers will also arrange to contact students by phone or video conference as needed.
  • We will continue to send information and resources through our newsletter to help you make the best of the time at home.

Resources and Information:
  • If your child needs access to a computer while at home, contact Ms. Julianne and she will arrange for you to pick up the laptop your student uses at school. 
  • Over the break, please download "Google Handouts" on any smart device and check to make sure your child knows their passwords for logging in to both Google and i-Ready. Contact us i you need help.
  • Teachers will compile a paper learning packet if parents request it. The online lessons are more comprehensive and will enable teachers to monitor students more closely. Paper packets can be an additional resource but we highly recommend students have computer access during this extended break.
  • Parents will be sent an email with their child’s login and password information. If you need technical support at any time throughout the break, contact our IT Manager, Mr. Jaime.

Anxiety and Attitude:
We know that many of our students have heightened anxiety during normal days. The COVIC-19 pandemic has heightened the anxieties in our students and the adults in their lives. It is very important for our children that we, the adults, model healthy behaviors and establish good routines to minimize their stress. Below are some suggestions we have to minimize the negative impact of the school closing.

  • The most important advice, and something we teach often at Crossroads School, there are many things we cannot control in our lives, however, our attitude and responses we can control. Treat these two weeks at an opportunity to spend time together with your family. Look to the positive and do not dwell on the negative. 
  • Establish a consistent routine. Write a schedule of events for the day/week. Get your child involved in this. Planning activities will help to ensure that your child does not fall into the “Screen Time Rabbit Hole.” Fil
  • Plan for activity and movement throughout the day. Do you remember the movie, “Groundhog Day”? (It might be fun to watch that with your family.) The main character had so much time on his hands that he otherwise never had and found many ways to fill his time. He learned new 
  • Do not allow your child to continually watch television news reports. There is a lot of information that our students cannot process in a healthy way. It is your job as the adult to disseminate the information they need.  


Activities to fill your time:
  • Cook or Bake! There is a lot of math and science involved in cooking. It’s a fun activity with a great outcome (hopefully). Go through the cookbooks in your home and try something new.
  • Be creative! Draw, paint, weave, sew, color, design, build…etc. You Tube is filled with all kinds of tutorials with step-by-step instructions. Use this as an opportunity to learn something new.
  • Be musical! Learn a song and plan a family concert or a play. Students could write their own songs. They can go around the house and record the sound and noises of various machines and spaces.
  • Play a game! We all have tons of board games sitting in a closet somewhere. This is the time to bring them out. Family Game Night reaps more benefits than you can imagine.
  • Clean! This may not sound like fun to your kids but this is a great chance to take one drawer, one closet or one room at a time. Have a fashion show and have your students try on every outfit they own. Does it still fit? Is it still useful? Does it bring joy? Create a donation pile and thin out your closet.
  • Take a walk! Go outside and breath the fresh air. Play a game of catch or basketball. The weather does not get much better in Houston (unless you have allergies) and the outside air will be a healthy alternative to germs inside. Exercise is a good activity any time. Build a daily exercise routine into your schedule.
  • Read a good book! This is a great opportunity to start a good book. When was the last time you read to your child? Once kids can read on their own, many parents give up this intimate family ritual. Pick a long chapter book you loved as a child or find something new and read. A little each day or a little reading several times throughout the day.
  • Write! Write a letter to a family member. Keep a diary. Write a poem or your own book. Let the creative juices flow. Many times this is easier to do with a prompt. You can google some ideas. (Don’t be surprised if we send you some suggestions!)


When my own children were young, we used to play a “game” I called 20-20-20. They were instructed to spend 20 minutes on homework. We set a timer and they were only required to do 20 minutes. It was a manageable amount of time. This was followed by 20 minutes of an art project. My kids loved to create. (It is no surprise that my daughter is now an Art Teacher with a degree in Studio Arts.) Then they spent 20 minutes reading. Once done, the process started all over again. You can determine your own categories for each of the 20 minute segments. Perhaps 20 minutes of computer followed by 20 minutes of physical activity followed by 20 minutes of school work or reading. Feel free to use the idea and change the structure. perhaps your game is called, "30-30-30".

The real concept here is two-fold. This game breaks up the time by dividing it into manageable chunks. It keeps really helps for kids who have difficulty focusing for long periods of time on single activities. It turns the activities into a game. The second benefit is that it sandwiches activities kids deem “undesirable” with the desirable activities. This take much of the fight out of getting them to do the undesirables.

Ultimately, one core principle of the curriculum at Crossroads School is to provide students with the life skills they need to manage their own behaviors and to function through life’s challenges.  We have an opportunity to do that now. We cannot change what is happening in the world at the moment. We CAN choose to see the unexpected positive opportunities and enjoy the unexpected time with our families.

Finally, please take care of yourself, physically and emotionally. If you need help, ask for it. We must rely on friends and family. Crossroads School is a family. Let us know if we can help you in any way.
Debi Mishael
Board Chair
(713) 977-1221 x101
A Note from the Special Project Manager...
Dear Parents,

Team Crossroads is proud to report another successful event! Many Crossroads students, teachers, friends and families enjoyed a healthy morning of exercise around Minute Maid Park this past Saturday and each of our students received a medal after completing the 5k walk/run. It was fantastic seeing all the smiles on the students' faces crossing the finish line as they accomplished another goal. It was great to be able to support our students outside the classroom.

This event is part of the Run Houston Series and Crossroads School raises money through Reason2Race for our school. In this race, Mr. Justin was able to achieve 2nd place in the fundraiser for the event and received a bonus prize of $400 to be added to our schools donation. One of our students raised $850, placing 6th place overall! We are so thankful for everyone's donations and are equally thankful to all those who participated in the event.

With so much support Team Crossroads raised $4,300 for this event, along with the prize money of $400, for a grand total of  $4,709!

We are planning to have a Field Day as our next event, May 15, at Crossroads. 

Azmae Bhatti
713-977-1221 x119
A Virtual Gala

The Crossroads Breakfast Gala has been postponed. We are currently working on plans to transform the event into a "Virtual Gala" We will have video presentations, an on-line auction and a variety of opportunities for you to show your support for Crossroads School.

More information will be provided in the near future. At this time, we are still requesting donations of auction items and are still accepting "reservations" for the event.
As Seen on Campus

Thank you so much Da Camera for creating another wonderful opportunity for our students to express their creativity! Sonic Postcards were a real hit and the students got to show off all of their talents by presenting their unique blending of the "Sounds of Crossroads."

Thank you to all the parents that were able to attend and cheer on our students' brilliant and sometimes creepy songs they created.  
Cooking with Ms. Gemma

Per student request, we brought back a classic Cooking Club recipe: Mac & Cheese! This super-comfort food was super-easy to make with just 4 ingredients: macaroni, water, evaporated milk, and cheese. The students had the option of adding in some healthier mix-ins, like parsley, tomatoes, peas, and chicken hot dogs. We made plenty to share with our friends, teachers, and families. On Wednesday, our Superstar-Doubleday Cooking Club student was delighted to finally make some scrumptious mashed potatoes. 
Positivity Project - Zest/Enthusiasm

Zest/Enthusiasm is the ability to bring life and excitement
to different situations. It often leads to a higher level of
involvement and engagement both for individuals and for
groups. Those who demonstrate zest and enthusiasm
bring an energy and level of intensity to individual and
group work. These people are often identified as early
leaders and innovators as a result of their outward
excitement about a task or project. Look for these people
to recruit new group members and generate ideas.

People with enthusiasm and zest are happy, but this
strength goes beyond happiness or pleasure. It is an activated positive energy, and associated with self-
realization and autonomy. Zest is a strength that has strong connotations with both physical and mental vitality and well-being. It can be fortified through diet, exercise,
mindset, and social connection.



Important Events & Reminders

  • March 16-20, 2020: Spring Break, School Closed
  • March 23-30, 2020: School Campus Closed - Virtual Learning
  • April 10, 2020: No School
CROSSROADS SCHOOL, Inc.
5822 Dolores St.
Houston, TX 77057
(713) 977-1221