Hello, Westview families,
Grandparents are special people. I know this from experience. My grandmother is 101 years old. She was a young girl during the Great Depression. She lived through World War II. She saw the Civil Rights movement unfold, witnessed protests of the Vietnam War, and is now living through a global pandemic. Luckily, she connects easily with her family through her iPhone and Facebook account. Grandparents are truly amazing.
Aside from being great teachers of history through lived experiences, our Grandparents offer unique perspectives on living. Children are fortunate to have grandparents and other special family friends to love and support them unconditionally as they learn and grow. We know that grandparents play a significant role in their grandchildren's lives and are also a vital support system for these children's parents.
The pandemic has limited all of us from seeing our extended family as much as we would like to. Today, we were delighted to continue our Westview Grandparent's Day tradition, albeit a bit differently. It is special for us to show our students' grandparents and special family friends a glimpse of the great learning that our students are doing here at The Westview School. It was amazing for our students to virtually welcome grandparents who typically, due to geography, would not attend our in-person event. Grandparents from Canada and Mexico and even as far as Scotland, England, and France were able to join online.
Thank you to all of the teachers, parents, and grandparents for helping us put together this wonderful virtual gathering.
We want to recognize our grandparents on staff. When asked to share a photo of themselves with their grands, it is no surprise that with a proud smile and quick swipe through their camera roll, the pictures were shared. As a new grandmother myself, I have to say I understand the feeling. What a special relationship! It is a relationship that I intend to nurture every opportunity that I get.
|
|
Head of School
The Westview School
|
|
Dr. Bevan Koch
Head of School
Grammy to William
|
|
Dr. Carol Harrison
1900 Principal
YaYa to Five
|
|
Felicia Hammonds
ECD I Teacher
Mimi to Brynn
|
|
Kristie Sutton
ECD I Teacher
Sunshine to Elle
|
|
Maria Garcia
PreK Assistant
Tita to Zayne
|
|
Beth Bogaert
Kindergarten Teacher
Nana to Hazel
|
|
Oralia Burks
Lower El Assistant
Gigi to Six
|
|
Bunny Bennett
Science/Technology Teacher
Memaw to Five
|
|
Calendar at a Glance
January 14
January 18
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day (No School)
January 21
January 27
February 1
- Re-enrollment Contracts Sent Out
February 11
- Mom's Day (Virtual Event)
February 15
- Presidents' Day (No School)
March 12
|
|
Westview LOVES Our Grandparents! |
|
Register TODAY for Westview Champs Summer Camp |
|
We are excited to be once again able to offer several options for students over the summer break.
Give your student a fun, structured summer filled with activities that help maintain the academic and social skills learned throughout the school year. Westview Champs Summer Camp is open to current students and their siblings. Recent former and incoming students may also apply. There will be a 10% early bird registration discount available for Summer Camp.
9 AM to 2 PM | Monday - Friday
Session 1: June 14 - July 2
Session 2: July 12-30
|
|
|
Intensive clinics are designed as a supplement to Westview Summer Camp or a stand-alone program. Clinics are for students needing extra help to master new skills to help them as they progress to the next academic level. Clinic options include math, reading, writing, or a combination of all three. Each clinic is scheduled in a 1/2 hour or 1-hour increment. Both 1:1 and small group are available. A consecutive 3-week commitment is expected for all intensive clinics. Exact times are based on individual and group availability. Clinics will be first come, first serve. Virtual participation in intensive clinics is available. Registration opens next Thursday, January 14.
Monday - Thursday
Session 1: June 14 - July 1
Session 2: July 12-29
|
|
|
Tutoring is available this summer for students looking to catch up for next year's academic program. Tutoring is available for Kindergarten through Middle School students. Tutors are available throughout the summer Monday-Thursday. Sessions can be scheduled weekly or bi-weekly in 1 hour or 1/2 hour increments. Both 1:1 and small group are available. Tutoring can also be done in conjunction with summer camp or as a stand-alone program. Virtual tutoring is available.
|
|
|
The Stewart Center will be offering speech, occupational, and art therapy services throughout the summer. Speak to your child's therapist about a summer schedule.
|
|
SAVE THE DATE: The Fundraising Luncheon Goes to the Movies |
|
The Westview Development Department did some brainstorming. How do we fundraise during a pandemic? What are our options for in-person but still socially distanced event? Can we do something different?
We are so excited to announce that Westview creativity and outside-the-box thinking reigned supreme. Our 2021 Fundraising Luncheon is going to the movies. Save the date for Friday, March 12 and make plans to join us at Moonstruck Drive-In Theatre located at 100 Bringhurst Street, Houston, TX. All families, children included, are welcome and encouraged to attend this free event to raise money for The Westview School. Families and friends of The Westview School can expect dinner and concessions delivered to your vehicle while viewing Disney's new release "Raya & The Last Dragon". We are so excited to be hosting this event and will be sharing more details in the next few weeks. If you are interested in attending, please RSVP to John Moring. Official invitation to follow.
|
|
Notes from Nurse Ana: Delivery of Medications to School |
|
Here is a reminder on the delivery of your child's medication to The Westview School. All medication, including over-the-counter and vitamins, must be delivered to school in the original container. Medications must be turned into the school nurse or Westview staffer by a parent. It is a licensing requirement that medications be transferred from adult to adult and cannot be brought to school via child or child's backpack.
All medications must be accompanied by a Student Medication Form. Thank you for your strict adherence to these guidelines.
|
|
|
Westview Blog: Key Ingredients to a Successful Early Childhood Program |
|
Over two decades of autism research have shown that early diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) combined with the prompt, evidence-based, and effective intervention will result in the best possible prognosis for children with ASD. But as a parent, do you know what to look for in an Early Childhood Development Program? In the latest Westview blog post, Dr. Carol Harrison, The Westview School principal, breaks down the key ingredients in a successful early childhood development program.
|
|
|
Admissions Event: Informational Session for Prospective Families |
|
Do you know someone who may be interested in learning more about The Westview School? Admissions Director, Becky Mattis will be online next Thursday, January 21 at 10AM to connect with prospective families. If you know someone who would like to learn how Westview could be a fit for their child, please share our event with them. Discussions will include the student experience and program deliverables. *This informational session is not intended for current families, but for prospective families interested in future enrollment.
|
|
|
Message from POW: Yearbooks On Sale NOW |
|
YEARBOOK SALES are happening now through January 31. The cost per book is $45.
*If you plan on creating a dedication for your student, please make sure to select your size and create your dedication during the check-out process on the Balfour website.
|
|
|
Westview is looking to increase our substitute teacher list. Applicants for a substitute teacher at Westview must be over 18 and a high school graduate. Experience working with children is a plus. References are required. As a Westview substitute, you will primarily work as the class assistant for the day. If you or someone you know may be interested in substitute teaching on a preschool, elementary, or middle school level, please email a resume to Russell Avery.
Any additional questions/inquiries regarding job opportunities at The Westview School can be directed to Russell Avery.
|
|
Resources
Please refer to COVID-19 tab on The Westview School website for the most up to date information regarding our Child First Reopening Plan.
For the Kids
|
|
The mission of The Westview School is to provide a unique, specialized learning environment offering outstanding educational and social opportunities for children on the autism spectrum. |
|
NOTICE OF NON-DISCRIMINATION: Based on receipt of federal financial assistance through a Paycheck Protection Program loan administered through the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) under the CAREs Act, the School acknowledges its obligation to prohibit discrimination, harassment, or retaliation on the basis of race, color, religion, age, national origin, sex, citizenship status, genetic information, handicap or disability in admissions, access, employment, tuition assistance, educational policies, or other school administered student and employee programs and activities. Questions regarding the School’s compliance with the application and administration of the School’s nondiscrimination policies should be directed to Carol Harrison, Principal, charrison@westviewschool.org, 713.973.1900 x100, 1900 Kersten Dr., Houston, TX 77043, or to the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights (OCR) or to the SBA. Please refer to the School’s SBA Non-Discrimination Compliance Policy on the School’s website for information on how to file complaints with OCR or the SBA. This notice will remain in effect until the School has satisfied and paid off the SBA Paycheck Protection Loan.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
