Crossroads School principal Sharla Mackinnon and vice Heather Bridgeman, along with teachers, assistants, students and all others who are part of Crossroads School are giving it their all despite COVID.
Sharla has been principal for two years, after serving as vice for three. Heather is in her second year.
Within minutes of communicating with the two, you could tell they have passion, and they respect, value and support student learning, along with completely engaging with the students and their families.
I asked if there’s a school slogan and was told every day the students are encouraged to “be safe, be respectful, be responsible and make today awesome.”
I must say that these are words we could all live by.
Monday January 25 couldn’t come soon enough for these two. School had been our for three weeks and they couldn’t wait to see their students. Sharla and Heather were both involved with the daily on-line learning. Encouragement was given to students along the way, and they came up with fun ideas to help keep the students interested.
Fort Friday
Jan 22 was Fort Friday. Students were encouraged to build forts at home, and teachers did the same. Lessons that day connected everyone from their forts.
Sharla and Heather both know the importance of connecting with the school and family community. This was done in the past by bringing families together with events. COVID brought the cancellation of family engagement sessions, including the annual open house.
Apple Crisp To Go
Sharla and Heather put their thinking hats on and decided to engage students and families at home with an Apple Crisp To Go event; all ingredients, including apples and the recipe were sent home with an aluminum pan. Safeway generously donated bags to carry the fixings home in. A video was made at the school showing the prep taking place in Crossroads Covid Kitchen.
This was a huge success! Families baked together, and many pictures were taken at home and send to Crossroads’ Facebook page.
Cookies
In December, Sharla and Heather decided to once again come up with an idea that would connect students, families and the school.
Sugar cookies, snowmen cookie cutters, icing and sprinkles were sent home to every family, along with a copy of the book “The Greatest Snowman Ever”. By all the comments and feedback, it was another heartfelt event, appreciated by the school community.
Ironically neither Sharla nor Heather consider themselves bakers. This definitely put them out of their office and into their red/black plaid aprons. A trendy theme at Crossroads is the love of plaid.
There are more ideas in the making for the school year. I’m sure they will come up with another positive team building event. I could hear with complete gratitude in their voices, that Sharla and Heather are so appreciative of their dynamic staff and supportive families.
Amazing staff
It was stressed to me that the school’s accomplishments wouldn’t be possible without the commitment of their staff.
I could hear the camaraderie as they told me that their working relationship is unique and that they really do feed off each other. One comes up with an idea, the other puts their input in, and before you know it something is shaping up to make the school a better place for all – especially the students.
Crossroads School is committed to student success. Sharla’s strength is math and Heather’s is reading, writing and literacy. Both Sharla and Heather are hoping the school year continues with in-class learning.
It’s been a whirlwind year; the unknown is facing classrooms every day. Yet there is the need (more than ever) for calm and contentment.
Crossroads school is definitely trying to achieve this by giving their all despite COVID.
