Our school's collaborative academic efforts will continue to focus on improving students' writing skills through the 6+1 Traits of Writing. The 6+1 Traits of Writing include: ideas, organization, voice, word choice, sentence fluency, conventions and presentation. These writing skills are being completely integrated into the culture of our school. We are extremely proud of our students' efforts and accomplishments.

We have several valuable groups and committees functioning to provide out students with meaningful educational opportunities. Our Crossroads Cougar Council (student council), our Parent-Teacher Association and our Farm Bureau Business Partner are three such groups. Crossroads Park School is proud to facilitate a caring learning environment which enables students to continually grow academically, psychologically, emotionally and socially.

I look forward to working with you and your family as partners to create a successful educational experience. Please feel free to call our school office any time (515.633.5600). We welcome your questions, concerns or suggestions. By communication effectively, we will make this an exciting and rewarding school year.

Once again, we look forward to working with you and your children throughout the 2008-09 school year.

Sincerely,
Britt Cameron, Principal

Together We’re Better, Learning to Make a Difference in Fifth Grade

The fifth graders along with over 12,000 other Iowa volunteers donated their time, energy, cans and boxes to help eradicate world hunger.  Students participated in Meals from the Heartland, a local program started with the goals of feeding 3 million starving people throughout the world and restocking Iowa’s food banks.

Students packaged food at Hy-Vee Hall on September 4, the site for Meals from the Heartland.  This is an extension of the Des Moines chapter of the international organization of Kids Against Hunger. Meals from the Heartland is a special week long of packaging, encouraging the involvement of many Iowa businesses, schools, groups, and individuals to show up and make a difference.  According to Kids Against Hunger, the meals were developed by food scientists from Cargill and General Mills.  They provide a rich source of easily digestible protein, carbohydrates and vitamins needed by the minds and bodies of undernourished children.  One package feeds six people. 

Sophie Farrell scooping soy
for the meals.

The goals of including the fifth grade children were to provide them with an opportunity to learn the value of community service through action and instill the beliefs that they can make a difference as one and particularly as one of many.  Assisting the students in this project were the following parents: Lisa Ewald, Renee Johnson, Jill Roghair, Tamara Rustin, Melody Webb, Kim Johnson, Scott Stewart, Shinta Manning, and Clarke McDermott. Tina Neustrom and Chi Czipar were instrumental in preparing the fifth graders for the event.  They  made samples of the food for the children to taste prior to the event so they would know what the families who receive the food would actually eat.  The teachers would like to say thanks for all the great parent support of this project.  It was a great experience for all.

For further information on Kids Against Hunger or Meals from the Heartland, go to the following web sites. http://www.kidsagainsthungerdsm.org/ or http://www.mealsfromtheheartland.org/

Important Documents

• 2008 - 2009 Emergency Communication Plan. Please complete a form for EACH student. This document will be kept with classroom teachers to assure us that all students have a plan to arrive home safely when school is dismissed early due to an emergency situation including but not limited to:
  • Hazardous weather conditions
  • A community safety concern
  • Loss of water or power at our school for an extended time

• 2008 - 2009 School Volunteer Application Form. This is to be completed by ANYONE who volunteers to work with students.

• 2008 - 2009 Volunteer Driver and Liability Form. This document must be completed by ANYONE who is using their own vehicle to transport students for school trips. When returning the form to school, please remember to include a copy of your current driver's license and automobile liability insurance card.

Elementary Music Guidebooks
The following links may be used to view Guidebooks for the Elementary Music Programs.