Good morning, Westview families,
Our staff is looking forward to connecting with you all tonight, Thursday, September 16, 2021, for our Westview Virtual Open House. In a typical year, our families would spend the evening of open house gathering in Largent Hall to meet and greet our Westview staff. Then families would transition to classrooms to learn from their child's homeroom teacher about the academic programs for the year. Because our classrooms are not large enough to socially distance families, the fall open house will be hosted virtually.
You should have received an email this week from your child's teacher with a link to your class ZOOM. Tonight, you will join your child's teacher and classmates' parents in a live ZOOM meeting to learn more about what is in store for your child this school year. Please reach out to your child's teacher if you did not receive a ZOOM link.
Last year, we created tour videos for prospective families to catch a glimpse of our campus and student experience. We thought open house might be an excellent opportunity to share these with current families to preview the day-to-day happenings on campus. If the video prompts questions on the curriculum or school activities, please bring them to your teachers at tonight's open house.
As always, we appreciate the flexibility of our families as we navigate back to school during the ongoing pandemic.
We appreciate you.
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Head of School
The Westview School
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VIRTUAL TOUR OF WESTVIEW GRADE LEVELS |
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Calendar at a Glance
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 16
- Virtual Westview Open House
- 6:00 PM ECD, PreK, K and Middle School
- 6:30 PM Lower El and Upper El
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 17
- Westview Spirit Day (On Fridays We Wear Blue)
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Let's Talk About Communication |
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As the school year kicks into full swing, we thought it might be a good idea to share a refresher on the ways The Westview School communicates with its families. Below you will find a breakdown of all our communication tools. Each tool is used to share a different type of information and allows us to communicate with you. Having said this, we know that the strongest relationships include two-way communication. We encourage you to reach out to us as well. Please don’t hesitate to call or email if you have questions, concerns, or just want to share a success story. |
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EMAIL COMMUNICATION
Email will be the primary mode of communication between Westview administration and teachers to your family. Our weekly newsletter, the Westview Weekly, will be sent consistently every Thursday via email. You can update your email address at any time through our RenWeb portal. You can view the Weekly archives on the Publications page of our website.
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W.I.N.S. NOTIFICATIONS
The Westview Information Notification System (W.I.N.S.) is the way Westview can quickly and efficiently notify families of immediate school-wide information, announcements, and/or emergencies. W.I.N.S. notifications will be sent via both text and automated phone messages.
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WESTVIEW WEBSITE
You can find us online at www.westviewschool.org. Here you will find the most up-to-date information on our campus and our school. Under Campus Life, you will find our blog which covers a variety of topics written by professional members of our Westview community. You will also find a COVID-19 tab that houses the most current information on The Westview School’s protocols for COVID-19.
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FACTS FAMILY PORTAL + LMS
The Westview School uses FACTS Family Portal (formerly RenWeb) as our school’s management system. Parents have access to FACTS – a private and secure parents’ portal that allows parents to see academic information specific to their children, while protecting their children’s information from others.
In addition, each student has their own unique username and password for FACTS LMS (Learning Management System) that gives them the opportunity to access the classroom environment – all via the Internet! Just like FACTS FAMILY functionality, FACTS LMS is a private and secure platform. It allows students to connect with other students and teachers online, including accessing class materials, uploading assignments, participating in classroom discussions, and taking quizzes.
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WESTVIEW SOCIAL MEDIA
Westview has both an official Facebook and Instagram page that is managed by Sarah Chauvin, Communications Director. You can find us @TheWestviewSchool. Here you can find information about school events, community resources and see us delivering our mission. We encourage you to share, comment on and like our Westview School posts.
Mention @TheWestviewSchool, so we can share your post. Please do not share pictures of other Westview children on your posts unless given express permission by that child’s family.
Please note: Social media will always be a supplementary form of communication for The Westview School. This is why it is the last thing in our communication list. It is an excellent way for us to share some amazing stories of our awesome school. While we may post important information like open house and school closures, please know that this is always done following an email or notification from W.I.N.S.
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POW FACEBOOK PAGE
Search People of Westview on Facebook and request to be added to this private group of current and former parents and staff members. This is a wonderful resource for support and finding information such as “can you recommend a great person for swimming lessons?”
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Fill Up at a "Giving Pump" to Support Westview |
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Need gas? Your next fill-up could help support The Westview School. Now through September 30, be on the lookout for colorful, purple signage on participating Shell pumps that donate a portion of your pump to local charities like The Westview School. Thank you to Landmark Charities/Timewise for always being such amazing supporters of The Westview School – ten of their “giving pumps” around town have Westview named as the charity of choice. A Westview parent snapped this picture of one of Shell’s “giving pumps” on the corner of I-10 and Kirkwood when her daughter spied it en route to school.
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Support our Library: Scholastic Fall Book Fair Extended! |
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Due to Tropical Storm Nicholas, Scholastic has extended the book fair. Hooray! The Scholastic Fall Book Fair is on campus now through Tuesday, September 21. No outside visitors will be allowed to shop, but we are very excited to allow our staff and students to attend the book fair in person.
HOW TO SHOP
Student Preview/Purchase: Students have all visited the book fair earlier this week for a preview, and a student wish list came home with your child. You can review your child's selected books and send money to school for your child to shop on student purchase days towards the end of the week and early next week.
Online Book Store: The online link to our Book Fair is active and open for parents, students, and teachers to browse and shop. Students can build their wish lists and save them online. Parents can then edit those wish lists, making deletions and additions, before checking out. Online orders will be shipped directly to your home. Free shipping for orders of books over $25.
If you need help or have any questions about the book fair, please contact Teresa Taeger.
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TEACHER WISHLISTS
Are you interested in helping your child's teacher build their classroom library? We have come up with an easy way to help you shop your teacher's wishlist. Similar to the book list your student brings home, below you will find a wish list for each Westview teacher. If you are interested in purchasing from a teacher wish list, simply print the list, complete the bottom portion, and send to school with payment. Please make checks payable to Westview School, and remember to add the 8.25% tax to your total. You are under no obligation to purchase the products listed. Thank you for your support. Any questions? Contact Teresa Taeger.
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Help Us Grow Our Substitute Teacher List |
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The Westview School is looking to increase our substitute teacher list. We have found that Westview parents are a perfect fit for this role. As a Westview substitute, you will primarily work as the class assistant for the day. We are so appreciative of all our parents who have dedicated time to support our school by being a part of our sub-list. We would love to include YOU too! If you are interested in substitute teaching on a preschool, elementary, or middle school level, please contact Michelle Chapa to complete the necessary paperwork and background check to be added to our list.
"I learned so much about how Westview works to help our kids each day. I loved seeing the kids do the many activities that fill the day." - Katie H., mom to Finley.
"Westview is like a second home to me, and the staff is like family. I love giving back to Westview by being a substitute. Also, it's nice to lay eyes on Conrad during the day." - Felicia S., mom to Conrad
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Save the Date for Alex’s 5K Run/Walk & Kids' K |
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Save the date for the 11th Annual Alex's 5K Run/Walk & Kids K. This year's event will take place in-person on Saturday, November 6, 2021 at MacGregor Park. There will also be a virtual option for anyone wanting to participate at their own pace or from afar. Participants can run or walk the virtual 5k at any time or place between now and November 6, 2021.
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Save the Date for Apraxia Walk for Kids @ The Westview School |
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The Houston Walk for Apraxia is back for 2021 and will be held in person on The Westview School campus. Save the date for Saturday, November 6, 2021. The team coordinating the event, which includes former Westview staffer, Tiffany Indiero, is working hard to make sure the walk experience is safe, fun, and memorable for all participants.
Participating virtually is still an option for this event. Visit the Houston Walk for Apraxia online for more information and to register. Once registered , all walkers can still choose to celebrate from home.
Want to learn more about the Apraxia Walk?Check out footage from past Houston Walks here! You can also follow along on Facebook and visit their website for updated event information and details on how to register.
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The Westview School is hiring! Westview is seeking qualified, enthusiastic professionals, to join our team of educators and therapists to fulfill our mission of providing a stimulating, specialized learning environment where children with autism spectrum disorder can reach their fullest potential. If you or someone you know is interested, send a resume and letter of interest electronically to Candi Pettit cpettit@westviewschool.org.
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Westview COVID-19 Protocols Reference Document |
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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. |
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