Dear Westview Community,
Teachers across the globe are planning to welcome students back to school for the first time in 6 months, and this year will begin like no other in our lifetime… health screenings, face masks, on-campus and off!
Our teachers know that their incoming students did not complete the full curriculum from last school year and that there will be gaps to fill. For the first few weeks, teachers will take time to get to know their students, assess their academic skills, and build relationships that will foster social and emotional growth. The teachers are prepared to meet students where they are and will provide the instruction and support that they need to move forward and progress academically.
This school year, each Westview family had a choice between face-to-face and virtual learning for their child. For us to provide an exceptional program for each student, it is essential for us to fully utilize the technology we have and secure additional technology to better support our students in person and online. This review process was done for every classroom to address the specific requirements for delivery of the curriculum to each unique group of students.
Julie Gulliford's Lower Elementary class is a great example. This year, Mrs. Gulliford will have a class of 8 students, three of whom will begin the year remotely. Mrs. Gulliford needs to be able to meet the academic and social needs of each student whether they are on campus or participating remotely. Providing differentiated instruction is second nature for our teachers when everyone is on campus. When thinking about how to do this when some students are not physically present, we had a number of questions:
How do we meet the academic as well as social and emotional needs of our students when they are participating remotely?
What does that look like and how do we build in opportunities for social connections?
Our very own dynamic duo of Kelli Blake and Teresa Taeger evaluated and formulated a technology plan to address the specific needs for each classroom, procured the necessary equipment, and provided training to ensure that each class is ready to go on the first day of school.
So, here is an example of what it will look like. Students participating remotely will follow along throughout the regular school day. There will be time when the entire class will come together for a lesson, time when students will work in small groups and even some time for 1:1 learning. All students will participate in the daily academic lessons as well as the ancillary classes.
Continuing with Mrs. Gulliford’s class as an example: By adding two laptops and a microphone to a classroom already equipped with an interactive whiteboard, a projector, and a desktop, all the students will be able to see and engage with their teachers and one another. Mrs. Gulliford and her assistant, Mrs. Dennis, will be able to use a breakout session in Zoom to divide the class for small group instruction. Similarly, when ancillary classes are streamed into homerooms via Zoom, students at home will be able to participate in class as well.
While academics are a primary focus, we also want to make sure we are providing opportunities for our remote learners to socialize and build relationships with their classmates. Mrs. Gulliford has allocated three times each day where her remote learning students can connect with their friends on campus – morning meeting, snack, and lunch.
We are confident that whatever back-to-school path you have chosen for your child, we are ready. We have given considerable thought about how we can best meet your child’s unique social, emotional, and academic needs. It is our hope that the thought, time and commitment that our teachers put into connecting their students, and the investment that Westview has made in a technology upgrade will benefit our students both on campus and off.
Looking forward,
|
Head of School
The Westview School
|
|
On-Campus Tech Rehearsal Prepares Staff for Back to School |
|
We are ready for you, Wildcats! Thank YOU to the BEST tech support around in Teresa Taeger and Kelli Blake! |
|
Things are looking pretty on point tech-wise around the Westview campus. Summer preparations have paid off, and our technology run through this week has our faculty feeling pretty confident about the ways we will be connecting with our students. |
|
Westview Middle School Levels Up on Technology |
|
If quarantine has taught us anything, it’s that kids love technology. A big tech shipment arrived at The Westview School this summer. And, our Middle School teachers are E-X-C-I-T-E-D. |
|
The Westview School is leveling up our Middle School program by providing a Chromebook for every middle schooler plus a CleverTouch LED Display for each middle school homeroom. Hooray for the Westview big kids getting a major tech upgrade. And a big shout out to our Middle School staff for putting in the training time to ensure a successful roll out of this new technology for our kiddos. Our teachers know that striking the right educational balance in usage is key to making technology a valuable learning tool for our students. |
|
Calendar at a Glance
Tuesday, September 8
Thursday, September 10
- WestviewEDU: Parent Check-In + Self-Care
Thursday, September 17
- Virtual Open House (7:00p-8:30p)
|
|
Westview Strong: The Westview School Commitment |
|
Student Health Screening Form Update |
|
In this time of COVID, it is important that we be vigilant about protecting all members of our community. Last week, we emphasized the importance of our student health screening forms. Thank you for bearing with us as we make a slight adjustment to the screening form requirements.
Every Sunday evening, we ask that you complete our student health screening form through our FACTS Family Portal (formerly RENWEB) using your child's login information. Every day, we ask that you consider your submitted answers from Sunday and notify us immediately if there are any changes. While there is no longer a requirement for you to answer the questions daily, we do ask that you to self screen the questions for your child each morning before leaving for The Westview School.
It is very important that if any of your answers change to YES, Westview is notified immediately AND prior to dropping your child off at carpool.
If your child is sick, please keep them home.
Special thanks to Candi Pettit for all the behind the scenes work on getting these forms set up and sent out weekly in a well-organized and efficient manner. Any questions about the student health screening form can be directed to your class teacher or Mrs. Candi.
|
|
WestviewEDU: Parent Check-In + Self Care |
|
|
|
Save the date for the first Westview EDU of the school year. How is everyone doing? Being a parent to a special needs child can be HARD. Add on the unique challenges of living during a pandemic - that’s even harder.
Join Mimi Le, M.A., LMFT, LPC on Thursday, September 10 at 7:00PM for our first WestviewEDU of the school year. Mrs. Mimi will present via Zoom and offer tips on how to manage stress, maintain relationships, and offer support as families navigate back to school for your child with autism. Please RSVP and a Zoom link will be emailed to you prior to the event.
|
|
We have an immediate opening for a School Nurse RN position on the Westview School campus. The ideal candidate will be responsible for the implementation of a comprehensive health program which is designed to serve each student through the promotion of a healthful school environment. Qualifications include:
- Bachelor’s degree in nursing
- Valid Registered Nurse License from the State Board of Nursing
- Previous nursing experience in community health, school health, or related fieldve
Westview is looking to increase our substitute teacher list. The main requirement for a substitute teacher at Westview is a college degree plus experience working with children. 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
|
|
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. |
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
