Location: 543 Front Ave. St. Paul, MN 55117

Phone: 651-767-8540

Attendance Line: 651-744-4513

School Hours: 7:30am - 2:00pm

Principal: Tracy Buhl

August 19, 2024

Dear Crossroads Elementary families:

Welcome to the 2024-25 school year! All of us at Crossroads Montessori and Crossroads Science look forward to seeing students in grades 1-5 on Tuesday, September 3, and Pre-K and kindergarten students on Thursday, September 5.

At Saint Paul Public Schools, our mission is to inspire students to think critically, pursue their dreams and change the world. This means providing challenging and engaging instruction in welcoming classroom environments that represent and respect the diverse backgrounds of our students. This way, every student can feel seen, empowered and ready to find joy in learning.

Attendance is an important part of student success. Missing less than nine days of school each year helps students to stay engaged, experience success in their schoolwork and keep on track to graduate on time.​ We recognize there are many reasons a student may be absent from school. If your student is ill, check SPPS’s illness guidelines at spps.org/studentwellness. Please notify our school by calling 651-744-4513 or email crossroads-attendance@spps.org at your earliest convenience if your child will be absent. Communication between home and school is vital to a positive school experience. More information about consistent attendance can be found at spps.org/attendance.

The first day of school is exciting for students, families and staff alike. It can also be overwhelming. Here are a few things to know so you can help your students be ready for the first day.

Open House

Please join us at our open house to welcome students and families to a new year on Thursday, Aug. 29, from 4:30 - 6:00 p.m.

School Hours

School begins at 7:30 a.m. and ends at 2:00 p.m.

Students enter the building at 7:15am to get breakfast and go to class.

Complete Back-to-School Forms

Parents and guardians in primary households can now complete 2024 Back-to-School Forms. Update contact information, complete required forms and verify your address for transportation at spps.org/families.

Transportation

Students will receive a postcard in the mail with transportation information at the end of August. The postcard lists details about where and when to get on and off the bus. Please arrive at the bus stop five minutes before the bus is scheduled to pick up your child. Track the status of your child’s bus on our school’s website or the Bus Status app.

If you believe your student is taking the bus but did not receive a postcard, please call Transportation at 651-696-9600 as soon as possible.

Walking to and from School

Elementary school students (PreK-5) who live less than a half-mile from school may have the option of walking or riding a bike to and from school with a family adult member.

School Drop-off, Pick-up and Changes in Dismissal

If you plan on picking your child up from school each day, or on a frequent basis, you will be issued a Parent Pick Up number. Parent Pick Up Numbers remain the same each school year. Please call the office at 651-767-8540 to request a number or a replacement window card.

We ask that any changes in dismissal plans be called into the office before 12:45 pm.

Meal Information

All students are eligible to receive free breakfast and lunch under the Minnesota Free School Meal program. As students arrive at school, they can grab their breakfast and eat in class. Hot and cold breakfast options are available.

Single Item Purchases and Second Meals

Second meals, incomplete meals and single items, such as milk only, must be purchased. The 2024-25 meal and milk prices are:

• Student Second Breakfast: $3

• Student Second Lunch: $5.25

• Milk Only: $0.50

• For a complete list of prices, visit spps.org/ns.

Application for Educational Benefits

While all in-person students will receive free breakfast and lunch under Minnesota’s Free School Meals program, it remains critical that all families complete an Application for Educational Benefits each school year. These applications determine how much funding your child’s school receives for educational programs and supports. Additionally, eligible families can qualify for other benefits. The application can be completed online at schoolcafe.com/spps. Paper applications are available at school.

Immunizations

Please check in with your healthcare provider to ensure your child’s immunizations are current before school starts in the fall. Visit spps.org/studentwellness or call our school nurse for more information.

Child Care Before and After School

Discovery Club is a fun and nurturing child care program for students in grades PreK-5 that supports learning and development before school*, after school, on non-school days and during the summer. Space is limited. For a list of fees, locations, and to register or join the waitlist, visit spps.org/discoveryclub or call 651-632-3793. *Before school care is unavailable for schools with a 7:30 a.m. start time. After school care at Discovery Club is housed at another location and if you enroll, students will receive busing to that location.

• Mount Airy Boys and Girls Club

• Rec Check: Free after school programming at participating neighborhood Rec Centers. Learn more and apply online here!

Student Rights & Responsibilities

SPPS strives to create welcoming schools where each and every student is seen, known and valued. There are rights students are guaranteed when they are at school as well as responsibilities that accompany those rights. Families are strongly encouraged to review the Rights & Responsibilities Handbook.

School Safety

Safety is a top priority at our schools. Crossroads Elementary has an Emergency Operations Plan that is created specifically for our school and regularly reviewed. Families receive communication home when an incident directly impacts their students, such as a lockdown. Exterior doors are always locked and all visitors must sign in.

Families, students and staff can use the MySPPS app to “Send a Tip” and confidentially report unsafe behaviors to SPPS Security and Emergency Management (SEM). Every tip is taken seriously and acted on right away. Learn more at spps.org/safety.

Contact Information

Please check our school website regularly, https://crossroads.spps.org/ for information and updates. If you have questions the website doesn’t answer, please call the front office at 651-767-8540.

Attached to this letter you’ll find the following important documents such as our classroom supplies and family calendar, via links as well as paper copy:

• Crossroads Montessori Supply List

• Crossroads Science Supply List

• 2024-25 Crossroads Calendar

I’m looking forward to welcoming you and your child to a new school year. I’m so proud to be part of this wonderful school community.

In Partnership,

Tracy Buhl, Principal

Crossroads Montessori and Crossroads Science

Dear Crossroads Families,

Crossroads Elementary School discourages students from bringing cellphones to school, yet we understand some children need to have them before and after school. Students may not have cell phones on their body during the school day.

Students who choose to bring cellphones to school do so at their own risk. Crossroads Elementary School and the St. Paul School District will not be liable for any damage, loss, or theft of electronic devices (SPPS Policy 520.00: Information Technology Usage & Safety Policy).

Cell phones/electronic devices may not be used or seen during school hours. They will be secured by the classroom teacher.It is our expectation that students secure their cell phone with their classroom teacher, leave cell phones at home or secure them in backpacks in their student locker. The teacher will have a protocol for how students secure their cell phones with them for the day. At the end of the day, students should pick up their device from their classroom teacher. Students whose electronics are seen or heard during the school day will have their devices held by the front office staff until the end of the school day.

Violation of Cell Phone/Electronics Policy:

• Violation 1 - The cell phone/electronic device will be held by the office and returned at the end of the day.

• Violation 2 - The cell phone/electronic device will be held by the office and returned at the end of the day. A parent/guardian will be contacted.

• Violation 3 - A meeting will be set up with a student, parent, teacher, and administrator.

Crossroads Elementary exercises the right to ensure all students have access to an education in a safe environment. If devices are used to disrupt learning environments or harass others, parents/guardians will be contacted and we will follow consequences outlined in SPPS’ Rights & Responsibilities Handbook.

Thank you for reviewing these expectations. If you need to reach your child, please call the main office @ 651-767-8540 and we will get a message to your student as soon as possible. If a student needs to contact a parent, he/she may ask to use the phone in the classroom or front office. Thank you for your help and support with this matter.

In partnership,

Tracy Buhl, Principal

Doors open for students at 7:15am and the school day begins at 7:30am. The school day ends at 2:00pm. There is no supervision for students after 2:15pm. Thank you for your help and support!

Main Office Line

651-767-8540

Attendance Line

651-744-4513

Our Office Staff Include:

Tracy Buhl - Principal

Paula McGaughey - Lead Clerk

Kiyauna Farris - Clerk

Toni Royaal - School Nurse

We request all families to say "goodbye" to their children at the front doors. Teachers and staff have a lot on their plate at the beginning of the day, since students eat in the classrooms. Saying "goodbye" to your child at the front door will help build independent learners. Students learn their way around the school very quickly and we have plenty of grownups in the building to help those that might be sad or need extra support. We promise, your child will get to class and not get lost. Thank you for your help and understanding.

• Thursday, August 29, 2024 - Open House from 4:30pm - 6:00pm
• Tuesday, September 3, 2024 - 1st Day of School for Students Grades 1 - 12
• Tuesday, September 3, 2024 & Wednesday, September 4, 2024 CH, PreK and K Family/Teacher Conferences
• Thursday, September 5, 2024 - 1st Day of School for Students Grades CH, PreK and K

English

All school documents can be can be translated or interpreters made available upon request. Please contact the school office for support at 651-767-8540.

Spanish

Todos los documentos pueden ser traducidos o interpretados oralmente si usted lo solicita 651-767-8540.

Hmong

Tej ntaub ntawv tom tsev kawm ntawv uas xa los rau nej, peb yuav pab txhais thiab nrhiav neeg txhais lus rau nej yog nej hais qhia peb 651-767-8540.

Somali

Dhammaan dukumiintiyada iskuulka waa la turjumi karaa ama waxaa la heli karaa turjumaan haddii la codsado 651-767-8540.

Karen

Contact Mookapaw Bei at 651-767-8540.

Email: tracy.buhl@spps.org
Website: spps.org/crossroads
Location: 543 Front Ave, Saint Paul, MN, USA
Phone: 651-744-6933