Because most families celebrate children’s birthdays at home, the School asks that the celebration at school be kept simple. The child’s teacher must approve these celebrations. The children receive birthday greetings at the Friday assembly, and students’ summer birthdays are celebrated at the last Friday assembly of the year.

In keeping with our mission, Crossroads asks that in planning for any special events outside of school, such as birthdays, parents be sensitive to the small class size, our desire to build community, and the dynamics that it creates if a few children are excluded from social events. 

To enhance and enrich ongoing areas of study, students may go on field trips during the school year. Specific information about each trip is sent home in advance. Permission slips, signed and dated by the parent or guardian, are required for all field trips. Verbal permission will not be accepted. A child without a signed permission slip will be required to remain on campus.

The School provides bus transportation for field trips within school hours. Transportation for School-sponsored field trips scheduled after regular school hours and on weekends may be provided by parents or other individuals in their own vehicles. In the unlikely case of an accident, the School is not responsible for paying to cover any damages sustained or for costs of any comprehensive or collision insurance deductible one may incur.

Please refer to the school medication policy regarding medications taken on field trips. Parents must provide all medication information and complete the medication section of the field trip form.

Most field trip destinations are within New England and Canada. The School neither sponsors nor is affiliated with any overseas trips.

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Back-To-School Night (September)

Back-to-School Night (for parents only) is an annual fall event when parents are invited to come to school to experience first-hand our engaging and unique program. Parents attend classes and teachers present their curriculum and address parents’ questions, including expectations for homework. All parents are encouraged to attend this important event—not to be missed!

Students have their pictures taken during the fall trimester to capture special Crossroads memories. Individual and class pictures, which are taken on our beautiful north campus, are available for purchase. There is a photo retake day for those students who are absent on Photo Day. Students are expected to follow Crossroads dress code on Photo and retake days.

Holiday Performance (December)

The evening Holiday Performance is a festive, all-school celebration of the Hanukkah and Christmas traditions through music, drama, and dance. Information about the program will be included in the Backpack Express.

Shakespeare Festival (April)
The Shakespeare Festival celebrates the works of William Shakespeare while closely simulating the life and times of Elizabethan England. The day's events consist of the fifth grade's performance of A Midsummer Night's Dream as well as fencing, singing, the making of potpourri, and a mock trial for Macbeth.

 

Maypole Celebration (May)
The maypole dance is a celebration of spring and gives our students a chance to kick up their heels as they enjoy the outdoors and warmer weather.  Here the first graders enjoy this tradition:

Spring Musical (May)
Each year, as the culmination of our music and drama programs, all Middle School students (with voluntary participation from Lower School students) produce an outstanding musical theater production. Parental support for this program is critical to its success. For parental convenience and planning purposes, rehearsal times are comunicated to parents well in advance.

Occurring late in the spring, this event is planned by the physical education teacher with the assistance of the faculty. Cooperative games are the focus of the day. Younger students are paired with older students to encourage cross-grade play and community building.

Yearbook Dedication (May/June)
Each year in the spring, our eighth grade students dedicate the yearbook to special members of our community. Members of our graduating class create our yearbook.

Graduation is the culmination of the Crossroads experience. It speaks to our academic program, community, and the deep relationships that form over the years. Eighth grade students graduate from the School the afternoon prior to the Move-Up Ceremony. Everyone is invited to attend this beautiful event that includes student speeches, music, thanks, and farewells. It is followed by a luncheon for graduates, their families, and the faculty.

Our Move-Up Ceremony is an all-school event attended by faculty, staff, parents, grandparents and friends. In this joyful ceremony, kindergarten through seventh grade students move-up to the next grade. Speeches, ribbons, and musical performances are presented at this memorable occasion.  

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