Crossroads students present life‑skills project to Chicopee School Committee; committee pauses for recess

The School Committee moved its agenda Monday to allow students from the Crossroads 18–22 transition program to present work samples and describe daily activities, and the committee took a brief recess afterward to give the students time to leave.

Jay Dowd made the motion to take the agenda out of order so the Crossroads visitors could present first; the committee approved the change by voice vote. Crossroads teacher Eric Dahl brought students to the podium and guided a slide presentation showing program activities including cooking and baking, a Crossroads Café, community outings, job-skills placements such as shredding and custodial work, gardening and independent-life practice, and partnerships with local organizations and American International College’s College Steps program.

Parent Samantha Fernandez, who identified herself as the mother of two Crossroads participants, praised Dahl for his commitment: “He doesn't shy away from a challenge … He's patient and kind but firm and lets them know when they're being inappropriate. You can really tell this is not just a job for Mister Dahl. It is so much more.”

Why it matters: The Crossroads program supports young adults with disabilities as they build independent-living skills and community employment experience. The presentation included examples of student work and community engagement that the teacher and parents said demonstrates the program’s role in transition planning for graduating students.

After the presentation, Vice Chair Don Lamothe and other committee members praised the students and staff. Dowd moved for a three-minute recess so the Crossroads students and visitors could exit comfortably; the committee approved the recess by voice vote.

No committee policy or funding decision was made at the presentation; the group asked for the School Committee’s continued support for the program.