December 17, 2020
Oh! There's no place like Home for the holidays,
'Cause no matter how far away you roam,
When you hope for the sunshine of a friendly face,
For the holidays, you can't beat Home Sweet Home!
Dear Westview families,
 
Let me be the first to wish you a wonderful and well-deserved holiday break. We are pleased to present to you with our holiday program. A huge thank you to our music department for putting together this virtual production appropriately titled Home for the Holidays - Trey Clark for ECD music and choreography and Jason Zacher for his skill in pulling together individual green screen performances into a beautifully edited show. We hope you are as delighted by this production as we are. 
We have been diligent about following our protocols, and I sincerely appreciate the partnership, honesty, and transparency from staff and families that have enabled us to limit our on-campus exposure to the coronavirus. It has required our combined effort for us to be able to keep our campus open.
 
We realize that holidays are a time for family. This year has stretched us all, and many of us have not seen our families in an entire year. As we head into winter break, I want to share a quick reminder. Be aware of your bubble. People often think they are doing a good job of keeping their social circles small, but they don't realize how one person's exposure can permeate your bubble. 
Before returning to campus on January 4, assess your exposure risk. If you are with people from outside your bubble during the break, monitor how you are feeling, consider taking a COVID test, and check-in with others, who have shared your bubble to see if they are experiencing symptoms. If you have any questions, please reach out to discuss your return to campus. 
 
Remember that we require a 14-day quarantine for any staff or student traveling by air over the break. Our ability to keep the campus open in the new year relies on all staff and families doing their part. 
 
To quote the Middle School students, "For the Westview School is always Home sweet Home! For the holidays, you can't beat Home Sweet Home!" 
 
Stay safe and healthy over the winter break, and we cannot wait to see you in the new year! 




Head of School
The Westview School
Calendar at a Glance

December 17
December 21 to January 1
  • Winter Holiday Break

January 4
  • Students Return

January 7

January 14
  • Grandparents & Special Friends Day (Virtual Event)

January 18
  • Martin Luther King Jr. Day (No School)
November/December Wonder Wall Winners
Hooray to Ryan in Lower Elementary for being Out of this World. Ryan received this award for all his tremendous growth over his years at Westview. He has become a star student in many ways. He is helpful to his friends when they are struggling and offers encouraging words to his classmates when they need it most. He also makes sure that his online classmates are included in conversations. He is a hard-working student and stays on top of his school work. We are proud of the kind and caring person Ryan has become. You’re fantastic, Ryan!
Woo Hoo! Congratulations to our Lower Elementary virtual student, Ryan, for being awarded our Heart of Gold Award. Ryan is caring and sweet. He makes a point to greet and say goodbye to everyone consistently. He knows when someone is not in class and will ask about them. When his classmates read their weekend reports, Ryan will ask questions about what they did and if they had fun over the weekend. Ryan makes it a point to praise his friends on their excellent work, and he applauds them after they have shared. Ryan gives compliments to others and enjoys talking to his friends. We are so proud of you, Ryan!
Hip Hip Hooray! Upper Elementary Shayan is Out of this World. Shayan has adjusted well to the expectations of Upper Elementary. He comes in each day with a smile on his face, ready to start his day! He listens well during instruction and works hard to learn new concepts. Shayan follows all classroom rules and is a model student! He has a good work ethic and tries his best every day! He is a caring friend that gets along with everyone. He loves playing with his friends on the playground and making them happy. Shayan is becoming more and more flexible in all aspects. We are so impressed with his success this year! Congratulations Shayan!
Are You Traveling Over Winter Break?
Is air travel in your plans for the winter break? 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 email Bevan Koch to share any travel plans.
 
With winter break 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 over winter break.
Westview EDU: Therapy Roundtable with The Stewart Center
Join us for the first Westview EDU of 2021. Our Stewart Center therapy team will be online via ZOOM on Thursday, January 7 at 7 pm to discuss the benefits of each therapy, when it’s time to seek help, how they work with families and educators, and how to tell when your child is ready to “graduate” from therapy.


Westview is Hiring!
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
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.