Greetings, Westview families,
We know that families are our students’ first teachers, and we value our partnership and miss hosting you on campus. For Dad’s Day, we would typically have our dads or other special guests participate in a full day of school with students. Many of you have shared how special this time has been in the past. One dad said, “I always come away with a sense of pride in what my child is doing in school and what The Westview School is doing for my child.”
Nevertheless, we take our responsibility for protecting our students seriously, and every time we have to move a traditional community event to virtual, we work hard to find an alternative that offers a meaningful experience for both our kids and families.
We had no idea how much fun “Dress Like Your Dad” could be! This morning, the children were adorable as they tumbled out at carpool dressed like their real life heroes. We hope you enjoyed your ZOOM calls today and could feel the appreciation that our kids have for the adults in their lives. We’ve included some pictures of the festivities honoring dads and the special role that they play in the growth and development of their children. Also, special thanks to Eric Hazeldine, dad to Finley in the Middle School, for sharing his reflections on “The Joy of Being an Autism Dad.”
Cheers to the Dads,
|
|
Head of School
The Westview School
|
|
Calendar at a Glance
Saturday, November 14
- Music for Autism (Virtual Concert)
November 23 to 27
December 3
- WestviewEDU: When Is Your Child Ready for Mainstreaming?
December 21 to January 1
|
|
The Joy of Being an Autism Dad
by: Eric Hazeldine, Middle School Dad
|
|
Learning about Finley's Autism diagnosis at age three was overwhelming. I cried because I was scared and didn't know what it meant for Finley or our family. His whole life flashed before my eyes. Would he be ok? Would he be happy? Could he enjoy himself and his family and friends?
Finley was our first child. As I reflect on the time of his diagnosis and the years following, our world quickly became intense and stressful. Our singular focus was to get Finley everything we thought he would need to develop. The right school, the right therapists, the right activities.
When Finley was 6 or 7, I noticed that he communicated better with me (and his mom and younger brother) than he did with others.
|
|
|
Home for the Holidays: A Virtual Holiday Play |
|
The title is a bit of a spoiler, but just like every other Westview Holiday Program, the rest is under wraps until the big day. This year marks our 39th anniversary of the Westview Holiday Program, and while this year’s event will be prerecorded and online versus live action in front of an audience, Jason Zacher and Trey Clark are hard at work behind the scenes to make this a pretty special keepsake for families.
We do have one ask for you. To complete our Holiday Program production, we need a picture of your child “home for the holidays.” The ideal picture would be a photograph of just your child participating in a holiday tradition at home. Pictures from the previous year’s winter holidays will work. Please email your photo to your child’s teacher or Sarah Chauvin.
|
|
|
Thanksgiving Food Drive to Support the Houston Food Bank |
|
The Westview School Thanksgiving Food Drive has begun. Non-perishable donations can be dropped off at morning carpool NOW through Friday, November 20. November has always been a time were our teachers focus on pointing our kids towards expressing love and gratitude to our families and friends. And while we are disappointed that we will not be having our annual feast, we are excited that it opens up an opportunity for us to think bigger and extend the love and gratitude of the season to the Greater Houston community. The Westview School will support the local Houston Food Bank. Make the biggest impact for the food bank by donating some of their most needed items. These items include canned meat (chicken, tuna, Vienna sausage), other canned proteins, canned pasta (pasta with meat sauce and ravioli), canned fruit, canned applesauce, canned vegetables.
|
|
|
Are You Planning to Travel Over Thanksgiving Break? |
|
Is air travel in your plans for the the Thanksgiving holidays? If so, please let us know. We will need to transition your child to virtual learning two weeks after the break.
Our ability to stay open and serve our students on campus depends on all of us doing what we can to stay healthy and avoid contracting and spreading the virus. One of our policies in the Campus Reopening Plan requires a 14-day quarantine after travel by airplane, train, bus, etc.
Thank you for your continued attention and dedication to keeping our students safe and healthy. Please call or email Bevan Koch to share any travel plans.
|
|
|
Update on Lifetouch Composite Pictures |
|
If your Lifetouch class picture arrived home, and you noticed that it was assembled incorrectly, do not worry! We are working with the company to correct the mistake and new pictures will be sent out as soon as they are available. Thank you for your patience! |
|
Annual Fund is Happening NOW |
|
Thank you to everyone who has already contributed to this year's Westview Annual Fund. Since 1998, The Brown Foundation has graciously offered to match donations up to $50,000. This is a huge part of our annual fundraising target, so we need your help!
Look for the print mail-out of our Annual Fund next week, for those who like to write checks instead of using our online giving. If you have a friend or relative you would like us to mail it to, please contact John Moring.
If you prefer, you can donate online. You can access our online giving via our website or use the donate link found in the email. And, please share. We would love for you to share our Annual Fund Information with any family or friends who might be interested in supporting our school. Here is the link to our email or you can direct them to the Annual Fund page on our website.
|
|
|
Music for Autism Virtual Concert |
|
Music for Autism brings some fresh and funky tunes straight to your living room! Save the date for Saturday, November 14th at 1:00 PM. Pianist, Adam Tendler is a recipient of the Lincoln Center Award for Emerging Artists and is set to perform virtually Schumann’s Musical Masks. Music for Autism is an online and free concert open to all individuals with autism, and their friends and families! Registrants will receive a link to the private live stream two hours before the concert. You must RSVP to receive the link. Questions? Email Laura@MusicForAutism.org
|
|
|
New Items Added to the POW School Store |
|
POW has added two fun new items to the POW Spirit Store! Support POW, and zhuzh your yard and car with a Westview Yard Sign and a Westview Bumper Sticker! Visit the POW Spirit Store and get yours today!
|
|
|
Westview is looking to increase our substitute teacher list. Applicants for a substitute teacher at Westview must be over the age of 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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
