Crestwood School District
Your Future. Our Focus.
When students step into the role of entrepreneurs, writers, and speakers, something powerful happens. Kari Gurshaw, a teacher at Kinloch Elementary School, led our 2nd grade Market Day this year, where students didn't just learn about economics, they lived it. By creating goods and services, earning classroom currency, and running their own market, students walked away with deep content knowledge and real confidence in their abilities. This is what happens when learning is rooted in authentic, student-led experience.
Crestwood School District was proud to have District Administrators Andrea Wood and Zainab Jawad invited to serve on a panel of experts at the MTSS – For the Whole Child: Align Systems and Elevate All Learners Conference on Tuesday, September 29th.
Andrea and Zainab shared how Crestwood is working to align its Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) to better support both staff and students. They joined fellow panelists from Northville, Oxford, and Wayne-Westland school districts to share experiences, ideas, and practices around supporting the whole child.
We are proud to see Crestwood represented in these important conversations and appreciate Andrea and Zainab for sharing the work happening across our district!
Andrea and Zainab shared how Crestwood is working to align its Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) to better support both staff and students. They joined fellow panelists from Northville, Oxford, and Wayne-Westland school districts to share experiences, ideas, and practices around supporting the whole child.
We are proud to see Crestwood represented in these important conversations and appreciate Andrea and Zainab for sharing the work happening across our district!
Diebh Mozham, ESL Teacher at Hillcrest Elementary School, reminds us what's possible when we truly believe in every learner. Her work exemplifies our commitment to creating environments where all students gain not just academic skills, but the confidence and belonging they need to thrive. This is what student-centered teaching looks like.
Lisa Pinto, PE Teacher at Highview Elementary School, is building more than just physical skills in her gym. She's creating a foundation for lifelong health and wellness. When students start choosing sports and activities because they fell in love with movement in her class, that's the kind of impact that extends far beyond the school day. Stories like Lisa's remind us why we prioritize student engagement across every learning environment in Crestwood.
When Courtney Bright, Occupational Therapist at Crestwood, talks about meeting students where they are, she's describing the heart of our work. This student didn't just hit her goals, she soared past them, and her classroom teacher noticed the transformation without prompting. That's what happens when we believe in potential and celebrate every step forward.
Mark your calendars for an exciting 2026–2027 Crestwood High School Theatre season!
From Urinetown: The Musical and community cabarets to Play in a Day, 30 Scenes in 60 Minutes, and Disney’s Frozen: The Broadway Musical, there’s plenty to look forward to this year. Save the dates and come support our talented CHS Theatre students!
From Urinetown: The Musical and community cabarets to Play in a Day, 30 Scenes in 60 Minutes, and Disney’s Frozen: The Broadway Musical, there’s plenty to look forward to this year. Save the dates and come support our talented CHS Theatre students!
Strong relationships can make a powerful difference in a student’s school experience.
When students feel connected to their teachers and know they have caring adults supporting them, they’re better positioned to make positive choices, engage in learning, and thrive in the classroom.
Across Crestwood School District, building meaningful connections remains an important part of creating supportive school communities where every student can succeed.
When students feel connected to their teachers and know they have caring adults supporting them, they’re better positioned to make positive choices, engage in learning, and thrive in the classroom.
Across Crestwood School District, building meaningful connections remains an important part of creating supportive school communities where every student can succeed.
Lakisha Washington, one of our teachers at Crestwood High School, reminds us that confidence isn't just a byproduct of learning—it's the foundation. Her commitment to creating spaces where students can take risks, support one another, and discover their own voices reflects exactly what we celebrate across our district. When we empower educators to innovate, students thrive.
Joanne Gammoh knows that confidence grows best in community. As an ESL teacher at Riverside Middle School, Joanne creates small-group spaces where students support one another, make mistakes, and keep going. Her insight reminds us that when students feel safe to try, that's when real learning takes off.
Looking for some family fun this weekend? The Dearborn Heights Library Fall Fest is happening Saturday, September 26th, from 12–4 PM at the Caroline Kennedy Library, 24590 George Street!
Families can enjoy a petting zoo, games and crafts, face painting, balloon animals, entertainment, local vendors, a tin can raffle, cider and donuts, and more.
This is a great opportunity to get out, enjoy the fall season, and connect with our community!
Families can enjoy a petting zoo, games and crafts, face painting, balloon animals, entertainment, local vendors, a tin can raffle, cider and donuts, and more.
This is a great opportunity to get out, enjoy the fall season, and connect with our community!
We’re excited to share some great news from Kinloch Elementary!
Kinloch was selected as one of 75 winners of The Meemic Foundation’s Back-to-School Grant, receiving $1,000 to support our students and their learning. The grant will be used to purchase headphones for Kinloch’s new STEAM classroom, with remaining funds helping support future student and classroom needs.
A special thank you to Jen Deprez, who took the time to submit the grant application to help bring these additional resources to our students. We appreciate her initiative and commitment to creating new opportunities for our Kinloch Koalas!
We are also incredibly grateful to The Meemic Foundation for its generosity and continued support of educators and students. Thank you for investing in Kinloch and our students! #MeemicFoundation
Kinloch was selected as one of 75 winners of The Meemic Foundation’s Back-to-School Grant, receiving $1,000 to support our students and their learning. The grant will be used to purchase headphones for Kinloch’s new STEAM classroom, with remaining funds helping support future student and classroom needs.
A special thank you to Jen Deprez, who took the time to submit the grant application to help bring these additional resources to our students. We appreciate her initiative and commitment to creating new opportunities for our Kinloch Koalas!
We are also incredibly grateful to The Meemic Foundation for its generosity and continued support of educators and students. Thank you for investing in Kinloch and our students! #MeemicFoundation
Dina Kaczmarczyk, Literacy Coach at Kinloch Elementary, worked alongside our 3rd and 4th grade teachers this year to help students build reading stamina, vocabulary, and confidence with complex texts. Her collaborative approach didn't just strengthen skills—it transformed how students showed up as readers. When educators work together to create supportive environments where students feel capable, engagement and growth follow naturally. That's the kind of impact we're proud to celebrate.
When Charles Fawaz's student created a heartfelt video in Arabic celebrating their teacher-student relationship, it caught the attention of the Michigan Department of Education. Charles, a teacher at Crestwood School District, reminds us that the most meaningful moments in education often happen spontaneously, rooted in genuine human connection. This is the kind of student engagement and educator impact we celebrate at Crestwood.
Anthony Puente, Reading Interventionist at Highview Elementary, understands that the strongest student outcomes emerge from the strongest educator collaboration. Through structured Instructional Dialogues, Anthony and the Highview team have built a culture where every educator owns every student's growth, sharing strategies openly and intervening early when students need support. This is what happens when collaboration becomes more than a buzzword and transforms into the foundation of how a school operates.
What happens when you give four-year-olds the tools to embrace differences? Kristie Luther, GSRP Lead Teacher, created a classroom where 16 young learners didn't just accept their peers' unique needs, they actively took care of each other. This is the kind of foundation that shapes how students show up in our schools for years to come. When we start early with inclusion and empathy, we build the culture of respect and belonging that defines Crestwood.
What an incredible Homecoming Week at Crestwood High School!
From school spirit and friendly competition to Friday night under the lights, our Chargers made Homecoming 2026 one to remember!
Congratulations to our Senior Class of 2027, winners of this year’s Homecoming Float and Spirit Jug! Your creativity, teamwork, and Charger pride were on full display.
The celebration continued with a 41–21 Homecoming victory over Wayne Memorial and the crowning of our 2026 Homecoming King and Queen, Fadl El Fadl and Hadeel Ali!
Thank you to our students, staff, families, alumni, and community members who came together to make Homecoming such a memorable celebration. There’s nothing like being a Charger!
Congratulations to everyone who made Homecoming 2026 a success, and Go Chargers!
From school spirit and friendly competition to Friday night under the lights, our Chargers made Homecoming 2026 one to remember!
Congratulations to our Senior Class of 2027, winners of this year’s Homecoming Float and Spirit Jug! Your creativity, teamwork, and Charger pride were on full display.
The celebration continued with a 41–21 Homecoming victory over Wayne Memorial and the crowning of our 2026 Homecoming King and Queen, Fadl El Fadl and Hadeel Ali!
Thank you to our students, staff, families, alumni, and community members who came together to make Homecoming such a memorable celebration. There’s nothing like being a Charger!
Congratulations to everyone who made Homecoming 2026 a success, and Go Chargers!
Only THREE more days to nominate an Outstanding Crestwood Educator for Michigan Teacher of the Year!
Do you know a Crestwood teacher who goes above and beyond for students? The 2027–2028 Michigan Teacher of the Year nomination window is now open!
The Michigan Department of Education is seeking nominations for outstanding educators who make a difference in the lives of their students and school communities. Parents, students, colleagues, and community members can nominate a deserving teacher. Nominees must be PreK–12 educators who work directly with students and have at least five years of teaching experience in Michigan.
Nominating a teacher is easy! You will need the teacher’s name and email address, school and district, grade level, your contact information, and a short paragraph explaining why the teacher deserves to be recognized.
Nominations are due by 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, September 23, 2026.
Help us recognize the exceptional educators who make a difference every day in the Crestwood School District!
https://www.michigan.gov/mde/services/ed-serv/educator-retention-supports/recognition-programs/mtoy/mtoy-nominations
Positive school culture grows when we recognize what students are doing right!
Across Crestwood School District, our staff are helping create supportive learning environments by celebrating positive choices, reinforcing respectful behavior, and encouraging students throughout the school day.
Those everyday moments of recognition help strengthen relationships, build a sense of belonging, and create schools where every student has the opportunity to succeed.
Across Crestwood School District, our staff are helping create supportive learning environments by celebrating positive choices, reinforcing respectful behavior, and encouraging students throughout the school day.
Those everyday moments of recognition help strengthen relationships, build a sense of belonging, and create schools where every student has the opportunity to succeed.
Rola Adoure, one of our counselors at Crestwood High School, reminds us that real connection can't be rushed. Her insight about meeting students where they are and trusting the process reflects the heart of what makes our school community strong. When educators lead with patience and presence, students like the one Rola supported, find their path forward.
Across the Crestwood School District, students celebrated Constitution Day on Thursday, September 17th, learning about the U.S. Constitution while having some fun along the way!
At Kinloch Elementary, students showed their patriotic spirit by dressing in red, white, and blue. At Crestwood High School, advisory classes put their Constitution knowledge to the test in a schoolwide Kahoot competition, with separate competitions for 9th–10th graders and 11th–12th graders. Congratulations to Ms. Faber’s advisory class and Mr. Moitozo’s advisory class for coming out on top!
It was a great day of learning, friendly competition, and celebrating the principles and history of our Constitution across Crestwood!
At Kinloch Elementary, students showed their patriotic spirit by dressing in red, white, and blue. At Crestwood High School, advisory classes put their Constitution knowledge to the test in a schoolwide Kahoot competition, with separate competitions for 9th–10th graders and 11th–12th graders. Congratulations to Ms. Faber’s advisory class and Mr. Moitozo’s advisory class for coming out on top!
It was a great day of learning, friendly competition, and celebrating the principles and history of our Constitution across Crestwood!
