A Visit to Crossroads Elementary School
(click on any picture or the highlighted links to see a larger version.)

Click here to learn more about CGEE's partnership with Crossroads Elementary

Mayors Norm Coleman, of St. Paul, MN and Herbert Napp, of Neuss, Germany, along with St. Paul Superintendent of Schools Patricia Harvey arrived at Crossroads School to celebrate the two cities becoming sister cities.

The two cities both lie on important rivers; St. Paul on the Mississippi, and Neuss on the Rhine. So, of course, Rivers of Life was there! Here, CGEE Director Tracy Fredin welcomes the dignitaries to Crossroads.

Education was the star of the day, as the mayors and the superintendent spoke of their commitment to students, and their role in our future.

John Shepard, Assistant Director of CGEE, gave a brief introduction to our new CD-Rom, "Waters to the Sea," then turned the program over to the students, who gave the dignitaries a more complete tour.

The students clearly enjoyed teaching the adults, and the adults were fascinated by the competence of the Crossroads students. At left, Mayors Napp and Coleman listen to instructions on how to navigate "Waters to the Sea" from Crossroads students Gene and Aaren.

The Crossroads Elementary School emphasizes inquiry, and there was certainly a lot of inquiring going on during the day. At left, David gives Superintendent Harvey a detailed tour of the CD-Rom.

The excitement continues this evening, when the students of Crossroads Elementary School present a Streamer Trunk describing the city of St. Paul, MN, and the state of Minnesota, to the mayor of Neuss. Mayor Napp will present the Steamer Trunk to a school in Neuss, who will be sending their own box to Crossroads in the near future.

It was a fantastic day, and once again, the river helped make the connection between people, and cultures!