Hello, Westview families,
“Different not less,” oft-quoted words by Temple Grandin, American scientist, and autism activist. The Westview School was created almost 40 years ago with this thought in mind. Our school is focused on celebrating a child’s strengths and offering dedicated support in areas where growth is needed most. On this first day of April, World Autism Month begins to raise awareness and increase understanding and acceptance of people with autism spectrum disorder. We think our students are some of the most unique and amazing children, and any month that brings awareness that aligns to this way of thinking is something we wholeheartedly support.
Next week, we will also kick-off the first phase of our strategic planning process. Surveys will be sent out to our Westview community on Monday, April 5. Please be on the lookout for a link to the electronic surveys to arrive in your inbox. Current and former parents, faculty and staff, current Upper Elementary and Middle School students, and alumni will all have an opportunity to complete the survey. The survey will be open for two weeks, from April 5-18. In the survey, parents and staff will have the opportunity to opt-in to a focus group. Our consultant will facilitate the focus group discussions, and these will take place during Phase Two of the process. Your input is extremely important, so please sign up if you are interested in participating. Please understand that space is limited, and we want to ensure that groups include individuals with varied experience with our programs. Phase Three involves the analysis of the quantitative and qualitative data from surveys and focus groups. This analysis will happen during the months of June and July. In the final phase, a core working group comprised of school leaders and board members will convene in August to create a strategic plan that reflects the priorities identified by the school community.
We are so excited about getting started and collecting valuable input from our families on our school and future.
All the best,
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Head of School
The Westview School
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April 2
April 5-9
- Lifetouch Spring Picture Day
April 8
April 22-23
April 30
- Summer Camp Payment Due in Full
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May 3-15
May 6
- Westview EDU: Summer Plans and Camps
May 21
- Spelling Bee (1830 Building)
May 31
June 3
June 4
- Teacher Work Day (No School)
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April is Autism Awareness Month |
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April 1st marks the start of World Autism Month. It is a month set aside to raise awareness and increase understanding and acceptance of people with an autism spectrum disorder.
All children, despite differences in learning, deserve a place to fit. Westview strives to help our students grow into the best version of themselves. We think our students are some of the most unique and amazing children.
Follow our social media throughout the month of April as we highlight the talents and joys, and sometimes struggles that the world can bring to people with autism spectrum disorder. We hope to show how extraordinary it is to love and teach, accept and understand a child with autism. #worldautismmonth
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Picture Day at Westview School is Coming - April 5-8 |
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Lifetouch will be on The Westview School campus next week - April 5-8 for Spring Picture Day. Forms were sent home this week in your child's backpack. You will find all the details on what day and what to wear inside. Please complete your forms and return to school with your child for picture day. If you have any questions, please contact Michelle Chapa.
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Camp For All Camp 2 U: Coming Soon |
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Of all the things that the school shut down last spring put on hold, missing camp was a pretty big bummer for our 1830 Wildcats. We couldn't wait another week to share the news! Camp For All is coming to Westview! Camp For All 2U is a program designed to bring camp to the Westview campus for our Upper Elementary and Middle School students. The dates are set for April 22 and 23, and the event will provide our students an opportunity to engage in some camp fun during the school day.
Today, a Camp For All representative toured the Westview campus to plan for the logistics of having Camp For All 2U at our school. Just like regular Camp For All, Camp2U is reserved for our students in the 1830 building. We are so excited to bring this event to our school. Stay tuned for next week's Weekly for more details.
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Westview Champs Summer Camp - Don't Delay. Register TODAY! |
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If you are registered for one of our camp sessions for 2021 Summer, you should have received an email this week from Crystal Irvin confirming your child's registration. If you have not received an email and should be registered, please contact Candi Pettit to confirm both registration and payment.
All camp payments are due on April 30, 2021. After April 30, registration will remain open with a $250 late fee as follows: Session 1 deadline: May 31, Session 2 deadline: June 28.
If you haven't registered for Westview Champs Summer Camp yet, what are you waiting for?! This summer Crystal Irvin and Liza Reyes are teaming up as your Summer Camp Coordinators. If you’ve been thinking about signing up for this year’s Summer Camp – Be a Westview Champ, let this serve as your encouragement to DO IT!
We are all dreaming of summer days, and including Westview Champs Summer Camp on your summer calendar is a fabulous idea. Our camp sessions are jam-packed with exciting things to keep your kiddo entertained and learning over the summer months.
In-school field trips, cool and creative arts and crafts, water activities, and super fun PE games are all on the agenda. We also will focus on maintaining your child’s progress from the previous school year with Math, ELA, Science, and Social Skills as part of our daily camp schedules. This is an excellent opportunity to keep your child busy and on routine for the summer.
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We have several options for students over the summer break. Visit our website to learn all the details and to register your child.
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WestivewEDU: Westview Alumni Have Something to Say |
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Do you wonder what comes after Westview?
Would you like to hear about the experiences and some of the recommendations from former parents and students that graduated from The Westview School? The Westview School is excited for our first-ever Former Parent/Student Panel on Thursday, April 8, at 7 PM via ZOOM for Westview EDU.
Lynn Clouser and Marshall Jones, Leslie, and Eli Mogil, and Debbie and Kaitlyn Winkler will give you the 4-1-1 on life after Westview - high school, college, young adulthood, and how to support your teen transitioning to high school and beyond.
Questions? Send an email to Penny Khuri.
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1830 Spelling Bee Competition |
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Have you heard the Buzz? Upper Elementary and Middle School students have been preparing in class for our upcoming Spelling Bee. By the end of next week, our top 14 spellers will be chosen from Upper Elementary and Middle School. If your child is selected as a Spelling Bee finalist, they will participate in our social-distanced Spelling Bee on Friday, May 21, in Largent Hall. The Bee will be live-streamed for students and parent viewing. More details to come. We are excited to find a way to continue with our Spelling Bee tradition for this year. Finalists will receive a Spelling Bee packet to prepare for the event next week. We can’t wait to share who rises to the top of the hive next week! If you have any questions about the Spelling Bee, please contact Kori Spurgers.
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Westview Blog: The Experts' Guide to Picky Eaters |
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Are mealtimes a battle? Does your child have a limited food repertoire or only eat one brand of food? Desperately seeking tips for a successful family mealtime? The Stewart Center has some Picky Eater experts on staff to share their favorite tips and best practices from hands-on experience working with some of the pickiest eaters and their families.
Both speech and occupational therapists can play an essential role in supporting positive change in even the pickiest of eaters. In our latest post from the Westview Blog, Abby Cook, M.S. OTR, and Alexandra (Ali) Nevins, M.S., CCC-SLP tips to skip those mealtime battles and help your kiddo expand their palate and self-feeding skills.
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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.
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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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