Welcome back, Crestwood students!

The first day of school is here, and we can’t wait to see your smiling faces back in our classrooms and hallways!

Here’s to a new school year filled with learning, friendships, new opportunities, and plenty of reasons to smile. Let’s make 2026–2027 a great year, Crestwood!

Rosemary Rowland, one of our dedicated paraprofessionals, spent six months showing up for a student who wasn't ready to participate in the sensory room. Then one day, the student threw the ball back. That single toss represented a transformation from observer to participant, and it happened because Rosemary never stopped believing. This is the kind of persistent, student-centered work that defines who we are at Crestwood School District. When we hold onto conviction and stay present, we reach every student.

While we officially welcomed our staff back on Thursday with breakfast, coffee from the Tim Hortons truck, and a welcome message from Dr. Mosallam, the work of preparing for a new school year started long before then!

Throughout the summer, our staff have been busy planning lessons, preparing materials, collaborating with colleagues, attending trainings, organizing learning spaces, and finding new ways to engage and support our students. On Thursday and Friday, staff also participated in professional development to help prepare for a successful year ahead.

We also celebrated an incredible milestone for two members of our Crestwood family. Congratulations to Rachelle Ukrainec and Jim Studard on 30 years in education! We are grateful for their decades of dedication to our students and school community.

A special thank you goes to our elementary teachers, who had the added challenge of completely setting up their classrooms this past week following a summer filled with construction. In just a few short days, they transformed those spaces into welcoming classrooms ready for students!

We appreciate the incredible time, energy, and care all of our Crestwood staff have put into making tomorrow an amazing first day for our students.

Crestwood families, don’t forget to set those alarms tonight—the first day of school is TOMORROW! We can’t wait to welcome our students back!

Thank you to our amazing Crestwood community for coming out to celebrate with us at our Back to School Kickoff on Thursday! It was wonderful seeing our students, families, staff, and community members together as we get ready for another great school year.

We also appreciate our generous sponsors—United Way of Southeastern Michigan, Highview PTA, Hillcrest PTO, Kinloch PTA, RMS KAB, and CHS PTA—and our community partners—ACCESS, Blue Hands United, Family Doc, Dearborn Heights Police, Dearborn Heights Fire, Dearborn Heights Library, and Dean Transportation—for their continued support of our students and families.

A special thank you to the CHS National Honor Society and Boys Soccer Team for their help with setup and throughout the event. Your support helped make the evening a success!

We can’t wait to see everyone back at school tomorrow!

Tomorrow is the first day of school!

If you haven't already, today is your last chance to complete the Required MiStar Back to School Check-In for each student before school starts.

This important process allows you to:
• Confirm emergency contacts
• Update address and health information
• Access important medical forms
• Acknowledge district policies

Complete your check-in today through MiStar ParentConnect:
https://sisweb.resa.net/MISTAR/Crestwood/

Need help?
English: https://5il.co/3k3nb
Arabic: https://5il.co/3k3na

Need a computer? The Crestwood Board Office (1045 N. Gulley) has Chromebooks available Monday–Thursday, 9:00 AM–2:00 PM for use in the lobby.

Thank you for helping us prepare for a safe, successful, and exciting start to the new school year. We look forward to welcoming everyone back tomorrow!

We’re proud to showcase the impactful work and meaningful moments happening across Crestwood School District!

By building strong relationships and responding to students’ individual needs, our schools are creating supportive, respectful, and positive environments where learning can thrive.

Stay tuned as we continue to share the great work happening across our district!

When do we know our work is truly making a difference? Ayman Elsersy, Graduation Specialist at Crestwood High School, reminds us that true success isn't only measured in credits completed. It's in the growing confidence of our English Learner students, their strengthened voices, and their expanding sense of what's possible. At Crestwood, we're committed to fostering belonging from day one so every student can see graduation as something attainable for themselves.

When Amanda Mersek talks about learning that sticks, she's talking about the kind of teaching that transforms a classroom. As a teacher at Riverside Middle School, Amanda brought High Touch High Tech into her 5th grade science lessons this past school year, turning abstract concepts into tangible moments of discovery. Her commitment to hands-on, real-world learning experiences reflects exactly the kind of educational excellence we celebrate across Crestwood. This is what great teaching looks like.

When Stephanie Resetar, a teacher at Kinloch Elementary School, invited families into her classroom for Game Day this spring, something powerful happened. Students stepped into the role of teacher, demonstrating not just the games they'd learned, but the confidence, communication skills, and teamwork they'd developed along the way. This is what strengthening the home-school connection looks like in action—and a beautiful reminder that learning thrives when families and educators partner together.

Please note that all district offices will be closed until 9:30 AM on Thursday, August 20th, as our entire staff comes together for a special Back-to-School event to connect, celebrate, and prepare for a great year ahead.

We appreciate your understanding and look forward to serving our community when offices reopen at 9:30 AM!

Tomorrow is the Day! Our Back to School Kickoff is almost here, and we can't wait to welcome our Crestwood families!

Thursday, August 20th
Crestwood High School
5:00–7:00 PM

Don't miss:
FREE backpacks (while supplies last)
Food trucks
Bounce houses & inflatables
Free books, crafts, balloon animals & glitter tattoos
Sports physicals
Live entertainment from Crestwood Band, Theatre, Robotics, and more!

Reminder:
Sensory Friendly Time is 4:00–5:00 PM for special needs students and families only.

Bring the whole family and celebrate the start of another amazing school year. We'll see you tomorrow, Thursday, August 20th!

Caroline Jakubiec, a paraprofessional at Hillcrest Elementary, helped make magic happen this spring when she supported a student in participating fully in our school musical. Her commitment to meeting students where they are created an opportunity for genuine achievement and visible joy. This is the kind of dedication that defines our Crestwood community and reminds us that with the right support, anything truly is possible.

Tomorrow is the big day, Hillcrest! Join us tomorrow as we celebrate the official Hillcrest Elementary School Ribbon Cutting Ceremony!

Wednesday, August 19th
12:30 PM
Hillcrest Elementary School
7500 N. Vernon Street

We look forward to welcoming our families, staff, students, and community members as we celebrate this important milestone and exciting new chapter for Hillcrest Elementary.

We hope to see you tomorrow!

When students own their learning, magic happens. Brian Paul, a teacher at Highview Elementary School, created a math center rotation that turned routine practice into genuine excitement. His approach paired partner work, independent practice, and targeted small group instruction to meet students exactly where they were. Stories like this showcase the thoughtful, student-centered teaching happening across Crestwood every day.

We’re excited to welcome our Crestwood students and families back for the 2026–2027 school year!

Please read this special Welcome Back message from Superintendent Dr. Youssef Mosallam as we prepare for the first day of school on August 24th. We can’t wait to see our students!

https://aptg.co/XcV9Zy

Tomorrow is the big day, Highview! Join us tomorrow as we celebrate the official Highview Elementary School Ribbon Cutting Ceremony!

Tuesday, August 18th
11:00 AM
Highview Elementary School
25225 Richardson

We look forward to welcoming our families, staff, students, and community members as we mark this exciting milestone together.

We hope to see you tomorrow!

Just 1 week until the first day of school!

Have you completed your Required MiStar Back to School Check-In?

All parents and guardians must complete the Back to School Check-In for each student before the first day of school.

During check-in you can:
• Confirm emergency contacts
• Update address and health information
• Access important medical forms
• Acknowledge district policies

For the best experience, complete your check-in using a desktop or tablet.

Need access to a computer? Stop by the Crestwood Board Office (1045 N. Gulley) Monday–Thursday from 9:00 AM–2:00 PM. Chromebooks are available for families to use in the lobby.

Need assistance?
English: https://5il.co/3k3nb
Arabic: https://5il.co/3k3na

Complete your check-in today through MiStar ParentConnect:
https://sisweb.resa.net/MISTAR/Crestwood/

We can't wait to welcome our students back!

What does belonging look like in a classroom of four-year-olds? Nancy Kashou, GSRP Lead Teacher at Crestwood Early Childhood Center, discovered it wasn't about compliance or routines. It emerged when she made space for each child to be themselves while building genuine connections with one another. Her insight reminds us that the strongest communities form when we honor each person's uniqueness and create opportunities for authentic care and teamwork.