Volume One | Summer Edition - July 2018
A Note from Acting Head of School...
Dear Parents,
 
Summer is in full swing at Crossroads. Students may not be on campus but the staff is hard at work. This newsletter is an update on some significant changes and improvements you will see in the Fall. Now and throughout the year, I want to keep parents informed and involved. 
 
I have been the Chair of the Board of Directors for several years and, as many of you know, I am an alumni parent. My son attended Crossroads from 2005 to 2009. I also have over 40 years of teaching and education administration experience. I have stepped into the role of Head of School for the 2018-2019 school year. 
 
We expect to begin the school year with an enrollment of about 25 students. The Board of Directors, the teaching faculty and administrative staff are deeply committed to providing the best learning experience for our students and their families. Students are at the core of all the decisions we are making. What is best for them? How can we help them to grow and reach their potential?
 
I am looking forward to working with parents. I would love to speak with you and encourage you to contact me at any time if you have questions, concerns or ideas to share.
 
Debi Mishael
Board Chair & Acting Head of School
 
(713) 977-1221 x101
Staffing
Y ou will see many familiar faces at Crossroads but you will also find a different staffing model and approach to governing the school. Julie Porter, our previous principal, moved to California. The decision was made not to hire a new principal and instead, direct those salary dollars to faculty that are directly serving the students. We are happy to report that Mr. Mitch Pengra has been hired full time as Head of Social Development. In addition, Ms. Azmae Bhatti will be on staff full-time as an ancillary teacher. (See the list below for a full staff roster.) 

Acting Head of School                 Debi Mishael
Head of Social Development       Mitch Pengra
Head Teacher                              Justin Adams
Elementary Teacher                    Suzanne Chamas
Teacher                                       Todd Martin
Teacher                                        Josh Perez
Teacher                                        Azmae Bhatti
 
Head of Finance                          Ginger Neely
Receptionist/School Secretary    Julianne Dishongh
IT Coordinator                             Jaime Rangel
Facilities Coordinator                  Jorge Navarrete

Facilities
We are taking full advantage of having no summer camp on site this year. Upgrades, modifications and cleaning is taking place throughout the grounds and buildings. The biggest changes will be found in “Building One”, the original Crossroads School building. We are emptying the building of all its contents and it is getting completely cleaned, painted and re-purposed. All of our ancillary classes will be held in this building. We will have a designate Art & Activities room, a Yoga & Music Space, a revised and reorganized Elementary Library, a Tutoring & Small Group Room, and a Science Space which will double as an indoor lunch room. 
 
All of our classes, Elementary through High School will meet in Buildings 5 and 6. The Upper School Library will also be used as a Media Lab and Workroom as we are removing the 16-foot table from that room and relocating it to another conference room created in building 6. 
 
Other changes will not be as noticeable to students but will be to Staff and Faculty. Our former principal’s office has been converted into a central school supply room with labeled and organized shelving. Our Facilities Coordinator is thrilled to be relocated into the old garage classroom. He now has a good work space and storage capacity. We will provide pictures and more updates as the clean-up continues throughout the summer.
Volunteers Needed...
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We would love to have some help throughout the summer with some special projects. Please let us know if you have some time to assist with some of the projects listed below. Some projects need to happen very soon while others will be done later in the summer or in sequence to other tasks. Some are indoor activities and some are outdoor jobs.

  • Wall prep for painting including some sanding and spackleing
  • Cleaning bookshelves and other classroom furniture
  • Painting wood furniture, desks and tables
  • Painting door jams after professional painters come to paint the walls
  • Organizing and re-shelving library books
  • Painting accent color wall decor
  • Washing down play equipment
  • Tend to the garden and prep for the start of the year
  • Organize art supplies for the new art room
Update on Inspection by Able Environmental
Darryl Riddle from Able Environmental returned to Crossroads at the beginning of this month for follow-up environmental testing on a few areas of the school in which he identified as having readings in the medium range on his first round of testing. Although there were no significant places of mold infestation detected as compared to the air outside, we decided to do this follow-up and err on the side of caution. We expect his final report soon and will share that with you when we receive it. The health and safety of our students and staff are always our primary concern.
We have recently changed the name of our parent group to PACK – “Parents Advocating for Crossroads Kids”. This name more accurately reflects the dedication and service our parents provide and compliments the significant role they play in helping our students attain and maintain their fullest academic and social potential. We take pride in our family-like environment and are always looking for motivated individuals to help us carry out our mission through advocacy and service. Join our PACK of driven and committed supporters today. We have 40 years of footprints! Walk alongside us and share the journey as we continue to guide your children though these crucial years in their education.
Events & Reminders

August 21, 2018 Meet the Teachers 1:00 - 2:00 p.m.
August 22, 2018 First Day of School
August 22 - August 24 Early Dismissal 12:30 p.m .
September 20, 2018 Open House 7:00 PM
CROSSROADS SCHOOL, Inc.
5822 Dolores St.
Houston, TX 77057
(713) 977-1221