Greetings, Westview families,
With the election cycle in full swing, our students are learning about how our government works and about their civic responsibilities. Using good literature and technology, our teachers have introduced students to important topics in civics, history, and language arts; but the teachers are also helping our kids learn what it means to be good citizens!
Before we know it, our students will be old enough to vote, and it is important for them to understand how democracy works, how officials are elected, and what role they play in this process.
This week many of our Lower Elementary students are learning about the three branches of government and how these create a system of checks and balances so that no one branch has too much power.
Mrs. Brown’s Upper Elementary class talked about how the process of recording votes is similar to methods of data collection that they are learning about in their science class.
Middle School students learned that in the 2016 Presidential election, only 51% of registered voters in Texas exercised their right to vote. This put our great state in the bottom five for voter turnout for the year!
Many of the students have already cast their ballots. We are doing our part to make sure that our students understand their role in our democracy. The Westview Wildcats encourage you to Get Out The Vote!
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Head of School
The Westview School
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Quotes from Westview Kids |
“Presidents don’t serve forever like kings, they only get two terms.”
- Theo, Lower Elementary
“Voting is the most fair way to select the President because everyone gets to choose.”
- Joe W., Lower Elementary
“Only white men were the first kind of people to vote. Then black men and then women were allowed to vote. No woman has ever been president, but they still have a chance.”
- Noah C., Middle School
“I can’t vote until I register to vote and I can’t do that until I’m 18!"
- Finley H., Middle School
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Calendar at a Glance
Friday, October 30
- Treats on the Track (Staff/Student Only Event)
Students should wear or bring Halloween costume tomorrow.
Thursday, November 5
Saturday, November 7
- Music for Autism (Virtual Concert)
Wednesday, November 11
Thursday, November 12
- Dad's Day (Virtual Event)
November 23 to 27
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Treats on the Track is TOMORROW |
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The Westview School LOVES Halloween, and we are really looking forward to our newest iteration to celebrate. Tomorrow, October 30, 2020, Westview will be celebrating Halloween with a Treats on the Track event. Please have your child wear or bring their Halloween costume. We are so excited for a day filled with not so spooky fun and socially distanced FUN! Classes will participate in a Costume Parade plus individual class trick-or-treating on Friday, October 30. Teachers are working hard on their themed tables that no doubt will bring much joy to our kiddos. The event will take place during the school day. While we are limiting in-person attendance to staff and students only, we plan to go live on social media the morning of the event so both our remote learners and POW can get a sneak peek at the fun. We promise to take lots of pictures and give your kiddos the most Halloween fun a school day can hold. Thank you to POW for supplying the candy. It has been pouring in, and we are so thankful for the support!
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Annual Fund is Happening NOW |
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Thank you to everyone who has already contributed to this year's Westview Annual Fund. We are one week in and already up to $13,000. 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.
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Thanksgiving Travel Reminder |
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With Thanksgiving rapidly approaching and cases of COVID-19 on the rise across the country and locally, we wanted to share the CDC’s recommendations for minimizing exposure to the virus at Thanksgiving.
According to the CDC, “Travel increases the chance of getting and spreading the virus that causes COVID-19. Staying home is the best way to protect yourself and others.”
We know that many in our community have not traveled or seen family in almost a year. However, 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. If you and your family are planning to travel by plane for Thanksgiving, please let us know so we can plan to transition your student to virtual school for two weeks after the break. Thank you for your continued attention and dedication to keeping our students safe and healthy.
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WestviewEDU: Planning, Saving and Paying for Autism
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Have you ever asked yourself, "How am I going to pay for that?" If so, save the date for our next Westview EDU on Thursday, November 5 at 7PM. Paying for autism-related expenses can be overwhelming. Add planning for education, retirement, and other long-term expenses, and now you need a roadmap! Join Chris Reilly, Westview parent and Financial Advisor for Edward Jones via Zoom to learn more about how to create a financial plan that works for you and your family. Chris will give ideas on planning for the things that matter most to you.
Informational packets will go home prior to the Zoom next week with your student. Please RSVP and a Zoom link will be emailed to you prior to the event.
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Music for Autism Virtual Concert |
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Music for Autism brings some fresh and funky tunes straight to your living room! Save the date for Saturday, November 7th at 1:00 PM. Kiku Collins, David Gibson, and their friends Hendrik Helmer and Joseph Lepore are set to deliver a performance you don't want to miss. 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 livestream two hours prior to the concert. You must RSVP to receive the link.. Questions? Email Laura@MusicForAutism.org
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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.
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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
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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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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.
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