Crossroads Monthly Newsletter

Dear Crossroads Community,

As we step into spring, I want to thank all the families who participated in the NJSCI survey. This year, we received a record number of responses! Your feedback helps us shape our program to better meet the needs of our students and families. Your voices are essential in making sure our school remains a place where all students are supported and valued.

March was a busy month at Crossroads, filled with activities that highlighted our yearly theme, Let Every Voice Empower. We focused on giving students opportunities to express themselves, learn in hands-on ways, and engage with our community. We kicked off the month with Read Across America Week, celebrating literacy and self-expression. Guest readers included the librarian from the Westfield Library, students from Hillcrest North, and many family members and friends. Even Petunia the Possum puppet joined in! As part of our celebration, students engaged with Strega Nona by eating pasta from the never-ending pasta pot, making macaroni jewelry, and playing in the pasta pool. These activities brought the story to life and gave students a fun way to engage with literature.

Another highlight was our annual Pinewood Derby. Students decorated their cars and raced them down the track, cheering on their friends and enjoying some friendly competition. This event encouraged creativity, decision-making, and perseverance—important aspects of empowerment.

March also brought St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. Students and staff dressed in green, and classrooms participated in themed activities, including making leprechaun masks, creating rainbows, and using Lucky Charms for graphing exercises. These activities gave students a chance to practice skills while having fun.

As we move into April, we have a lot to look forward to! Be on the lookout for our Autism Acceptance Month activities as we continue to celebrate and support our students. We will also have our Spring Break, a well-deserved opportunity for rest and recharge. And, of course, we might just have a special visit from the a certain bunny for a spring egg hunt! Thank you for being a part of the Crossroads community. Your support and involvement make a difference every day.

Warm Regards,

Matt, Danielle, and Stacey

Unfortunately Reflections Studio will not be able to return to Crossroads this year for a makeup day. If your child was absent for picture day, you can register for a makeup session and go to the studio in Scotch Plains.

The address is 1812 Front St, Scotch Plains, NJ 07076

Please use the link below to sign up for an appointment.

https://www.reflectionsstudio.com/products/school-make-up-signup

April 1, 2025 - Wear BLUE to school to celebrate World Autism Day!

April 2, 2025 - Neurodiversity Tuesday - Wear Rainbow or Tie-dyed clothing

April 3, 2025 - What's your passion Thursday - Wear something you are passionate about.

April 4, 2025 - Sensory Friendly Friday - Dress in you comfy clothes or PJ's

April 16, 2025 - PTO/Parent Education Support Meeting (12:30)

April 17, 2025 - Spring Egg Hunt

April 18, 2025 - April 27, 2025 - School Closed (Spring Recess)

Congratulations to Ms. Dina Brigandi, Occupational Therapist, for being named Crossroads Teacher of the Year

Congratulations to Mr. Spencer Powers, Registered Behavior Technician, being named as Crossroad School's Support Staff of the Year!

Spring is in the air! This month room 108 celebrated many things. Some of these things were Read Across America Week, St. Patrick's Day, and the First day of Spring. During Read Across America Week, we welcomed special visitors to our school—my daughters joined the classrooms and read to our students. They had a lot of fun. Students also enjoyed going upstairs for the Strega Nona activities, making pasta bracelets, and going into the sensory "pasta" pool!

For St. Patrick’s the class made clovers by ripping green paper and gluing them on a shamrock. We also shared green spaghetti from Ms. Jenn’s class for our sensory group. In addition, we read interactive books about St. Patrick's day and discussed the things we see in Spring. Students identified pictures to words.

We also had our last trip to Lifetown for the year. Ava and Sidney enjoyed getting manicures, Iker loved making t-shirts, Josh liked to walk around and play in the ball pit and Devin enjoyed ice cream and popcorn! We are looking forward to what's to come the rest of the school year.

Room 109 had a very exciting month. We started our month off with Read Across America. The kids enjoyed listening to a variety of books read by different guest readers. Everyone enjoyed listening to the books and interacting with the different props that were brought in.

March also brought us some fun and interactive activities for St. Patrick’s Day. The students made sugar cookies that they decorated with icing and green sprinkles. The students also went on a scavenger hunt to find the hidden treasures in the school. Finally, they all made Leprechaun dough out of cornstarch and hair conditioner. While making the play dough the students were encouraged to use their language, science and math skills.

The students have been doing a wonderful job on their academic programs along with their self care and play skills. The students enjoy interacting with each other and working on their play skills together.

The students also had a blast at the Pinewood Derby. The Pinewood Derby helps each student learn about creativity, craftsmanship, teamwork and friendly competition.

Spring is a wonderful time of year, with flowers blooming, pleasant weather, and unfortunately, those dreaded seasonal allergies. Seasonal allergies can be frustrating for all ages, especially young children, who can only let us know through frequent rubbing of their nose, sniffling or wrinkling their nose, pulling on their ears, and clearing their throat. They may also develop sleep issues, mouth breathing due to nasal congestion, and dark circles under the eyes

If you have a child with allergies, here’s what you need to know and how to help them find relief.

• Stay Indoors During Peak Pollen Times: Check pollen forecasts and limit outdoor activities, especially in the mornings when pollen levels are highest. Sign up for pollen count allergy alerts at Pollen.com.
• Keep Windows Closed: Close windows in your home and car to prevent pollen from entering.
• Use Air Conditioning: Run air conditioning instead of opening windows. Consider using HEPA air purifiers to reduce allergens.
• Wash After Outdoor Play: Have your child wash their hands and face right after coming indoors to remove pollen and even change their clothes.
• Shower Before Bed: Make sure your child showers and washes their hair before bed to get rid of lingering allergens.
• Start Medications Early and Stay Consistent: Over the counter medications like antihistamines, saline sprays or eye drops can substantially help to relieve allergy symptoms. Starting early can prevent symptoms from worsening and getting ahead of symptoms, instead of reacting to them, can calm the immune system and provide greater relief. Always, talk to your child’s pediatrician before starting any new treatments.

One of the most common questions during allergy season is, 'How can you tell if it’s allergies or an illness?' While both can cause similar symptoms, there are key differences. Allergies often come with itchy, watery eyes, sneezing and a runny nose without fever. Symptoms tend to last as long as you’re exposed to allergens, such as pollen or dust. On the other hand, illness symptoms, like a cold or flu, usually include a fever, body aches and fatigue and often come on suddenly. If your child has persistent symptoms without fever or if they’re triggered by certain environmental factors, it’s likely allergies. However, if symptoms worsen or include fever, it could be an illness. Always consult with a healthcare provider to get the most accurate diagnosis. It’s also important to know that allergies are NOT contagious and that symptoms can vary in intensity throughout the day, often improving when indoors or after showering.

We hope you had the chance to read our CONSTIPATION newsletter that was sent home last week in your child’s backpack, and found it useful.

To further support that information, here’s a fantastic resource to complement it. https://www.childrensmercy.org/departments-and-clinics/gastroenterology/constipation-and-encopresis/family-guide-to-childhood-constipation/

Crossroads students enjoying this month's trip to Lifetown. Our Middle School also had the opportunity to take their monthly trip to Westlake School where students participated in a gym class with our gym teacher Rich.

Crossroads Celebrated this week by inviting guest readers into the school. We had family, friends, students from Hillcrest North, and a visit from the Westfield Library. We also read the book Strega Nona and students had the opportunity to eat pasta, make macaroni bracelets, and swim in the "pasta pool"

Crossroads Pack 45 hosted our annual Pinewood Derby

Practical Supports for Home: Navigating Spring Changes- Tips and Tricks from CR Behavior Team

March brings longer days, changing schedules, and often, travel plans for spring break. While these seasonal changes can be exciting, they can also bring challenges for children with autism. Disruptions to routine, sensory overload, and unfamiliar environments may lead to stress and anxiety. Here are some practical strategies to help make transitions smoother and build independence in the community.

Spring Break Travel Tips

Travel can be an overwhelming experience for individuals with autism due to new environments, changes in routine, and sensory overload. Whether your family is going on a road trip, visiting relatives, or flying for the first time, preparation is key to a successful experience.

Try these strategies to set your child up for success:

Prepare with Social Stories – Read or create a social story about what to expect when traveling, including what they will see, hear, and do. Reviewing pictures or videos of airports, hotels, and other new environments can also help.

Pack a Favorites Sensory Kit – Bring familiar comfort items such as noise-canceling headphones, fidget toys, weighted blankets, sunglasses, or preferred snacks to help manage sensory sensitivities.

Call Ahead for Accommodations – Many places offer sensory-friendly services, such as priority boarding on airplanes, quiet rooms in amusement parks, or reduced stimulation times at attractions. Contact locations in advance to plan accordingly.

Practice the Routine – If possible, take a mini "travel day" by visiting a nearby hotel, airport, or train station to help your child become familiar with the setting. Watching videos or role-playing different travel situations can also ease anxiety. Youtube offers a variety of video models of different settings.

Use a Visual Schedule – Create a step-by-step guide showing what will happen during the trip. Include pictures or icons to help your child understand transitions.

Social Story: "Going on a Trip"

"Soon, we are going on a trip! We might take a car, a bus, a train, or an airplane to get there. I might see new places and meet new people. Sometimes, trips can be exciting, but they can also feel different from home. That’s okay! I can bring my favorite things, like my headphones and toys, to help me feel calm. My family will tell me what happens next. If I feel worried, I can take deep breaths or ask for a break. This trip can be fun, and I will try my best!"

Adjusting to Daylight Saving Time

Daylight Saving Time (DST) means changing the clocks forward by one hour, which can disrupt sleep schedules and daily routines. This shift can also be difficult for children with autism, who often thrive on consistency.

Ways to ease the transition:

Shift the Schedule Gradually – Start adjusting bedtime and wake-up times by 10–15 minutes earlier each night for a few days before the time change. This gradual shift can help prevent sudden sleep disruptions.

Use Natural Light & Movement – Exposure to sunlight in the morning and engaging in physical activity (such as stretching, walking, or deep pressure activities) can help regulate the body's internal clock.

Maintain Predictability – Keep mealtimes, school routines, and bedtime rituals consistent to minimize disruptions. Using visual schedules, timers, or countdown charts can help reinforce the change.

Create a Relaxing Bedtime Routine – Use dim lighting, calming music, and predictable bedtime activities to help ease the transition into sleep.

Social Story: "The Clocks are Changing"

"One day, the clocks will change. This means the time on the clock will be different, even though my day will feel the same. It might be lighter outside when I wake up or darker when I go to bed. My body might feel a little different, but that’s okay! I can follow my schedule and do my bedtime routine to help me feel calm. After a few days, I will get used to the new time. My family will help me, and everything will be okay!"

By preparing for seasonal transitions and encouraging real-world learning opportunities, families can help their children navigate changes with more confidence, comfort, and success.

Happy Spring From the Crossroads Behavior Team

Come out to the Stage House Tavern in Mountainside on April 2, 2025. Bring or show this flyer and 10% of the proceeds will go to Crossroads School

During winter months please be sure to pack warm weather clothing for your child. As long as it does not get too cold we will make every attempt to have the students enjoy recess outdoors. ⛄

Website: https://www.ucesc.org/schools/crossroads_school
Location: 45 Cardinal Drive, Westfield, NJ, USA
Phone: 908-233-9317