Hello Crossroads Families,

Please see below for important information on resources, events, and upcoming opportunities. We hope you have a great weekend!

Sincerely,

Matt Mura

Principal

• March Cougar Time, Friday 3/13, information below
• Monday 3/16-Friday 3/20, No School, All Grades, Spring Break

• Full 2025-26 School Year Calendar: Click Here
• CMS Bell Schedule: Click Here
• Middle School A/B Schedule: Click Here

• Crossroads Middle School Family Resource Information
• West Ada School District Community Resource Guide
• Free Internet Access Program

• Student Drop Off and Pick Up Procedures
• Student Device Protection Information: Click Here
• Families may still purchase device protection after the student's device has been inspected by school personnel.
• School Nutrition Information (Meal Costs, Payments, Free & Reduced Meal Application): Click Here

As you may know, Cougar Time is part of CMS’s Positive Behavior System. It is designed to celebrate students who are staying on track with their learning and behavior, while also providing dedicated time and support for students who need help catching up.

As part of our ongoing work as a learning community, we regularly review our systems to ensure expectations are clear and consistent for students. Since the start of the second semester, we have focused on creating clearer, consistent schoolwide expectations for Cougar Time participation so students clearly understand what is needed to take part in Cougar Time Choice Activities.

Below is an outline of our updated academic and iReady criteria. This information was reviewed with students this week and will continue to be reinforced as we approach each monthly Cougar Time.

Academic Criteria

Students are expected to maintain an overall grade of 70% or higher in each class to participate in Cougar Time Choice Activities.

Students will be assigned to Cougar Time Support if:

• Their overall grade in any class is below 70%.

Students may be assigned to Cougar Time Support if:

• Their overall grade in a class is between 70–79%, and they have an assignment categorized as evidence with a score below 70%, or two or more missing practice assignments

These expectations are designed to help students stay on track before small concerns turn into larger academic challenges.

iReady Lesson Completion Criteria

Students will be assigned to Cougar Time Support if they are:

• Three or more lessons behind their lesson passed goal, or more than two lessons behind their goal in any one content area

Cougar Time Process and Work Completion Deadline

Regardless of when Cougar Time occurs, teachers have ongoing conversations with students about missing work and upcoming deadlines.

Teachers meet the Wednesday prior to Cougar Time to identify students who may need Cougar Time Support based on the criteria outlined above.

Students have until 4:15 PM on the Thursday before Cougar Time to complete missing assignments and catch up on iReady lessons in order to qualify for Cougar Time Choice Activities.

This deadline allows teachers time to review student work for completion and accuracy and to finalize the Cougar Time Choice and Cougar Time Support lists.

Students at Crossroads have the opportunity to participate in sports at their home school. Below are two opportunities that start after Spring Break.

Upcoming Spring Sports

• 6th, 7th, & 8th Grade Boys' & Girls' Tennis
• Start Date: March 23rd
• 6th, 7th, & 8th Grade Boys' & Girls' Track & Field
• Start Date: March 23rd

Registration Requirements

• All student-athletes must register through Aktivate prior to the sports start date.
• Click here to register.

Participation Fees

There are two required fees for middle school athletics:

• Participation Fee - $90
• This district fee helps support athletic bussing and coaching stipends. The fee is required for the first two sports of the school year. After a student has paid the $90 fee twice, additional sports during that same school year are free.
• Activity Card Fee - $22.25
• An activity card is required for participation in athletics at any West Ada middle school. This is a one-time purchase per school year and supports the school’s athletic department.

Fees may be paid with cash or check at your child's homeschool, or online with a credit card through MySchoolFees.

For more information regarding parent meetings, practice schedules, and other sport specific details please visit your child's home school athletic website:

• Lake Hazel MS Athletics
• Lewis and Clark MS Athletics
• Meridian MS Athletics
• Victory MS Athletics

Crossroads Middle School is excited to announce a new partnership with the Treasure Valley Connections Counseling (TVCC). This partnership will allow students of families who are interested the option to access outside counseling services that can be delivered on our campus.

Participation in this service is completely optional and initiated by families.

Counseling through TVCC at Crossroads functions similarly to services offered in a traditional counseling setting:

• Appointments will be scheduled for students on Thursday mornings.
• There is a cost associated with the service.
• TVCC accepts a variety of insurance plans, including Medicaid.
• Students may discontinue services at any time.

For more information on TVCC please, click here.

Families who are interested in this on site option, have questions, or would like more information can contact our school counselor, RIkki Jensen at jensen.rikki@westada.org or 208-855-4278.

For information on other outside counseling resources, click here.