Crossroads Monthly Newsletter
September 2026
Message from the Administration
Dear Crossroads Community,
Welcome to the 2026–2027 school year! As September comes to a close, the cooler air and changing leaves have officially signaled the arrival of fall. I even found myself digging through my closet earlier this week to find my jacket! It has been wonderful feeling the energy and enthusiasm back in our hallways over the past few weeks as our students and staff settle back into their routines.
It was truly fantastic to see so many of our families at Back to School Night. Connecting with you in person is one of the high points of our school year. If you were unable to join us, please know that our doors are always open and you are welcome to schedule an appointment to meet your child’s teacher anytime. We also look forward to greeting you at our upcoming school events throughout the year.
This year, our district theme is "UCESC Unlocked: Every Voice Is a Key." To me, this theme is a powerful reminder that every single student in our school has unique strengths, experiences, and perspectives. When we create space to really listen to each child, we help them discover their own potential and build the confidence to navigate the world around them.
Alongside our district theme, our Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) focus for September centers on Self-Awareness and Self-Management. We are supporting our students as they learn to recognize their emotions, understand their personal strengths, and develop effective tools to manage their day-to-day choices and goals.
September also marks the beginning of Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 – October 15). We are excited to honor the rich histories, cultures, and contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans throughout the month. Be sure to check out the wonderful Hispanic Heritage bulletin board in our main hallway, put together by our Vice Principal, Natalia!
As we settle into the rhythm of the school year, here are a few important updates and reminders for the coming weeks:
Community-Based Instruction (CBI): Our CBI activities will officially kick off at the beginning of October, offering students hands-on opportunities to apply learning in real-world settings.
Schoolwide Field Trip: We will wrap up October with an exciting schoolwide trip to Wightman Farm! Stay tuned for permission slips and further details soon.
Thank you for your continued partnership and support. I am looking forward to an exciting, productive, and collaborative school year together!
Warm regards,
Matt, Natalia, and Stacey
Student of the Month - Dilan
Ms. Allison's Classroom
Our gang is so excited to start another year at Crossroads School! We have some old, but a lot of new faces in Room 103. We’re so happy to welcome teacher assistants Nicole and Wendy and students Eli, Jameel, and Kali to our classroom!
We have lots of big plans this year for our students: toilet training, building our communication skills, taking on some class jobs, and learning through play every step of the way! For the month of September, we have been celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month with different activities and crafts, settling into our daily routines, and getting to know each other. Miss Allison received a lot of generous donations so we've also been spending our time getting to play with all the new fun stuff! We are very excited for what the school year has in store for us from field trips to celebrations to all of the skill building we hope to get done!
Ms. Liz's Classroom
Room 106 is excited to begin our first full school year together at Crossroads! As one of the newest classrooms in the school, the past few months have been all about getting to know one another, learning our routines, and becoming a cohesive classroom community. Now, as we begin a brand-new school year together, we are excited for all that lies ahead!
Our students have been working hard while also having lots of fun! Throughout the school day, we are building academic, communication, social, and independence skills while learning how to work, play, and participate together as a group. We are enjoying everything Crossroads has to offer, including Gym, Art, Music, Motor Room, playground, and one of our favorites—ActiveFloor! We are also looking forward to visiting LifeTown several times throughout the year and joining our school-wide trip to the farm.
We are so proud of how much Room 106 has already grown as a classroom community. We are learning together, having fun together, and becoming a little team of our own. We can't wait to see what this school year brings and to experience all that Crossroads has to offer!
Genesis Parent Portal/Health Office Forms
As we settle into the rhythm of the school year, here are a few important reminders:
Parent Portal Forms
If you have not already done so, please complete and submit all required forms on Genesis as soon as possible.
The link to the parent portal is https://parents.c3.genesisedu.net/ucesc/sis/view?gohome=true
If you forgot your password, please click on “Forgot my Password” at the login Screen. Your username is typically your email address. If you do not have an account or are unable to log in, please send an email to contact_us@ucesc.org with your name and student’s name(s).
Additionally, If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact the Main Office.
Health Forms
We are still missing some Consent for Health Screening forms. This is a mandatory form that needs to be completed for all students regardless of whether you are consenting to screenings. If you need another copy of the form please email lferrante@ucesc.org.
Having accurate, up-to-date information is essential to ensuring we are in the best position to support your child’s health, safety, and learning.
The Union County Office for Persons with Disabilities will be hosting two free events this October.
On Sunday, October 11, there will be a Fall Festival and Resource Fair at Homestead Farm at Oak Ridge Park in Clark from 10am to Noon. This event will be a fun-filled morning for individuals of ALL abilities and their families. Enjoy a variety of activities while connecting with local organizations and learning about resources and services available throughout the county.
This free event will feature a petting zoo, inflatables, live music, giveaways, arts and crafts, community resources and light refreshments.
Free admission, but registration is required.
To register, please visit:
Union County Fall Festival for Persons with Disabilities
—---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On Friday, October 16, 2026 the County will be hosting Family Spooktacular Night at the Rahway Recreation Center from 6-8pm. This year’s event will feature a variety of fun games, dancing and a Haunted House for residents to explore. Guests are encouraged to wear their favorite Halloween costumes for a chance to win prizes in our annual costume contest. Light refreshments will be served.
Free admission, but registration is required. This is NOT a drop off event.
To register, please visit: