Caitlin Butkus
Student
The Crossroads School, Natick, MA
I like Crossroads because it means, “A change for the better.” Before I came to Crossroads, bullying was my everyday life. That’s all I knew, ever since 6th grade. The bullying started off as repeated teasing and escalated throughout the time I was in public school. My self-esteem was suddenly so low that just going to school every day was terrifying.
I like Crossroads, because if I’m ever reliving the horrors of the bullying, my teachers are always willing to lend me a helping hand and support me in what I’ve been through. I feel like my teachers provide clinical support, meaning if we have an issue of some sort, they are able to help us through it. I really appreciate my teachers going out of their way to make school enjoyable and professional.
I’m learning square roots. I’ve learned how to figure out how much money is in a Paycheck. I even passed the MCAS in ELA and Biology. Crossroads gave me a chance to start fresh. The teachers at Crossroads are helpful and caring and they are very passionate about the students they teach and how they educate us.
The Speech Department is teaching me how to interpret certain social cues and situations. I am volunteering at 3 external job sites a week – Debsan’s Paint Store, Newton-Wellesley Hospital and Putts’N’More.
I like Crossroads because I feel safe here, and I’ve made lots of friends. This is my first time having friends. Having friends makes me feel good about myself.