Dear Parents and Guardians,
As we close another successful school year at Crossing Park School, we want to take a moment to express our deepest gratitude for your support and partnership. As I’ve mentioned in past notices, the strongest shape in the world is a perfect triangle. In this case, it takes three angles to produce a community that adheres to the mantra of safe, happy, learning- teachers, students and families. When we support these 3 dimensions, the sky is the limit for students who enter our school as young as Kindergarten to those who finish grade 9 and embark on their High School educational journey and, in many cases, beyond. A big congratulations to our class of 2025- this marks a special milestone as Crossing Park celebrates its 25th anniversary.
Learning is the destination. Safe and Happy underpin the Learning objective. I want to underscore the importance of your involvement—whether through helping with homework, attending school events, or constructively and consistently communicating with teachers. This has as played a critical role in your child’s growth and in the strength of our school community. Indeed, Crossing Park is viewed as a place of success, and we’ve been highlighted as a strong school where students and staff want to come and stay. Notably, 2024-25 was a year that Crossing Park School presented to the CBE Board of Trustees on Academic Achievement related to our approaches on verbal language development. In addition, our students represent one of the CBE's highest rates of acceptance by post-secondary institutions after high school!
As is normal in our complex world, this one was defined by learning, laughter, challenges, and triumphs. Importantly, we’ve watched our students grow not only academically, but also in confidence, character, and resilience. Studies have often pointed to the 2 greatest attributes we can develop in the 21st Century. These have been noted as “adaptiveness and hardiness”. This means that teachers and parents need to support students in facing inevitable change and challenges. Students have tools to problem solve and deal with new challenges. We need to give them a chance to learn through mistakes and we need to provide them with some tools like IMEST which has supported a notably safe setting!
Indeed, it is important we honor kids increasing maturity and independence to support them in experiencing new things. For example, we know that the most powerful teaching occurs through trial and error. This can be getting a math question wrong and figuring out a new way to solve it, dealing with issues with peers, taking accountability for behavior choices, or even walking to school (a reminder this is a walking community and driving is not necessary in most cases). Guiding kids as educators and parents is always important. Letting students grow through challenges and experiences which support "adaptive and hardy" character can be hard. However, this is what sets them up for success as they become increasingly independent and capable! What’s more, psychology research shows that people are happiest when we are faced with challenges and solve them. This is natural growth. This also provides the basis for well-being through confidence (our schools approach to well-being) and supports competence to be successful in life- no matter the career or social situation.
As we head into the summer break, we wish you a safe, relaxing, and joyful summer with your loved ones. May it be a time to recharge, reconnect, and create lasting memories.
We look forward to welcoming you back with fresh energy and new opportunities in the upcoming school year! Our job is always supporting your child in one year's worth of growth. To help them be their best. This looks different for everyone and underscores the need for us to work with you to understand your children and support next steps.
Yours in safety, happiness and learning,
Andrew Bews
Principal
Crossing Park School