October 21, 2021
Greetings, Westview families,
 
John Moring, Director of Development here, taking over this week’s Weekly to talk about all things fundraising. Fundraising at The Westview School is something we try to keep as short, sweet, and impactful as possible. Westview fundraising has three main parts: Annual Fund, Corporate and Family Foundations, and Fundraising Luncheon. For our new families, I know what you are thinking, “Why is the guy from carpool even talking to us about fundraising? Doesn’t this guy know what we pay in tuition?” 
 
Tuition and fees only cover 88% of The Westview School’s operating budget; fundraising is used to cover the remaining 12%. This year, we need to raise an additional $556,300. Without our yearly fundraising efforts, every Westview child’s tuition would have to increase by $6,000 per year. 
 
Westview is thankful for the generosity of families and friends, faithful corporate and family foundations, and of course, the Westview community’s involvement in the Fundraising Luncheon. All of these contributions help to keep tuition at Westview as reasonable as possible. If you have family members or friends who are connected to any local family or corporate foundations, please let us know so that Westview can possibly secure an introduction. 
 
For veteran parents who know the drill on the how and why of Westview fundraising, let me take this opportunity to say thank you for your continued contribution to The Westview School. And, for our new families who want to know more on the what and when to help us in our fundraising efforts, keep reading. We know just how you can help. 
Development Director
The Westview School
Annual Fund is Happening NOW
You received in your inbox earlier this week, information on our Annual Fund. There are a couple of ways to support this fundraising effort. First, donate. You can access our online giving via our website or use the donate link found in the email. Secondly, 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. A print mail-out of our Annual Fund letter will be sent in the next couple of weeks for those who like to write checks instead of using our online giving. 
Calendar at a Glance

Friday, October 22
  • Lifetouch Picture Orders Due (Please contact Michelle Chapa with any questions.)

Friday, October 29
  • Westview's Not-So-Spooky Halloween Assembly (Wear your Halloween costume to school.)

Saturday, October 30
  • POW Trunk-or-Treat

Thursday, November 4, 2021
  • Dad's Day (Virtual Event)
  • Off-Campus POW Meeting @ Dish Society
  • Westview EDU: Psychotherapies and their Effectiveness for ASD

Saturday, November 6, 2021

Thursday, November 11
  • Veterans Day

Thursday, November 17
  • New Family Zoom

November 22 to 26
  • Thanksgiving Break
Westview Welcomes a New Addition to Lower Elementary
Lower Elementary has a new assistant on staff. Kim Stafford is a native Texan and a graduate of Lamar University. Go, Cards! Her students call her Ms. Sunshine, and being helpful is her love language. She has already proven to be a big help to our kids and Westview staff. She is an autism grandparent, so she joins us with plenty of first-hand experience with our student population. She knows “it takes a village,” and we are pleased to have her join ours. Welcome, Sunshine!
Westview Blog: Put On Your Oxygen Mask First
At our September WestviewEDU, we welcomed Jelisa Scott, BCBA, UH Ph.D. candidate. Jelisa discussed with our community tips for working with your child at home, which included a discussion on self-care methods for parents. If you were unable to attend the EDU, we are excited to share part one of her presentation: Put on Your Oxygen Mask First: 5 Self-Care Strategies for Autism Parents. Thank you to Jelisa for contributing to the Westview blog.

How many times have we been on an airplane and heard the flight attendant advise, "in case of an emergency, secure YOUR OWN oxygen before helping others next to you." In the case of raising a child with autism, it is essential to "secure your own oxygen" before you can be expected to help your child. Self-care is arguably one of the most essential therapeutic strategies to help your child is evaluating and caring for yourself. If you really want to help your child, challenge yourself to make these parent coping strategies a habit.

"Dress Like Your Dad" Day + Virtual Dads' Day
This one's for the Dads! We had so much fun with this event last year that we are bringing it back to celebrate our dads.

Mark your calendar for Thursday, November 4, for our annual Dads' Day event. This event will be held virtually again this year. We know how much Westview loves a good dress-up day, so that this virtual event will be a "Dress Like Your Dad" Day. We encourage all students to come to school dressed like their dad. Like last year, our Dads WILL NOT be on campus this year, BUT we have blocked time during the school day for all dads (or special friends) to ZOOM into classes. The Dads' Day ZOOM will be a 20-30 minute time commitment per class. Your child's teacher will email the ZOOM link and any activity details for dad or special guest by Monday, November 1.
PLEASE SAVE THE DATE AND TIME FOR YOUR DADS' DAY ZOOM

The times per grade level are listed below: 
9:30 AM – 10:00 AM – ECD + PreK
10:00 AM - 10:30 AM – K
10:30 AM – 11:00 AM – Lower El
11:00 AM – 11:30 AM – Upper El 
11:35 AM – 12:05 PM – Middle School 
Message from POW: Trunk-or-Treat is Coming Soon
The 4th Annual Westview School Trunk-or-Treat is almost here. Save the date for Saturday, October 30. This is such a fun event for our Westview community, and we are so excited it’s back for 2021. We can't put this amazing event together without your help! 

Want to donate candy or time? Use this link to sign up to volunteer to help at the event or to donate candy for our trunks.

Want to host a trunk? Use this link to reserve your spot parking spot. Be sure to comment with the theme for your trunk, so we can be sure to assign parking spots appropriately.

Don’t have a theme yet? Do not worry! Still register to reserve a spot, and we will contact you closer to the event.

Trunk-or-Treat spots are free but we ask that you provide your own candy. The trunks will need to be manned from 10A to 12P. An awards ceremony will be held at noon. This year’s event will be held in the 1900 building parking lot.

Thank you so much for your participation!

If you have any questions, contact Ang Jennings
Walk/Run to Support The Westview School
If you want to run or walk in support of The Westview School, the date to save is November 6, 2021. The Westview School is a sponsor and host site for the upcoming Houston Walk for Apraxia. Also, Alex’s 5k, both virtual and in-person at Macgregor Park, has always been a generous supporter of Westview with race proceeds. Choose a race and visit the website to register with “Team Westview” and for more information.
Westview Celebrates Veterans Day
The Westview School would like to recognize our families with members serving or having served in our Armed Forces. We want to honor you and/or your loved ones on Veterans Day, Thursday, November 11. If you or anyone in your family is a Veteran, please complete this survey. Thank you for participating.

New to Westview? Join Us for a New Family Zoom
Is this your student's first year at The Westview School? Are you interested in connecting with our other new families? As we head into the second term, we want to check-in.

Join us for an ONLINE chat on Thursday, November 17 at 11 AM. New families can connect virtually and ask any questions that may have arisen since the school year has begun.

This gathering is not mandatory, but without being able to meet on campus, we wanted to create an opportunity to connect with our new families. You will receive a Zoom link from Jolaine Zuccala before the event. All new families are welcome.
Westview is Hiring
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.