September 24, 2020
Hello, Westview families,

In the first three weeks of school, we have used a variety of tools to communicate with our families: weekly emails like this one, COVID-19 tabs on our website, daily social media posts including precious pictures of us delivering our mission, and most recently, notification of school closure via W.I.N.S. 

We are committed to using the most effective tools to communicate important school information. It is our goal to provide you with clear and concise messaging in the most efficient and timely way possible. So, we decided in this week’s Weekly to talk a little bit about the ways that The Westview School communicates with its families. Below you will find a breakdown of our communication tools.

Each tool is used to share a different type of information and allows us to communicate with you, but we know that the strongest relationships include two-way communication. We encourage you to reach out to us as well. Please don’t hesitate to call or email if you have questions, concerns, or just want to share a success story.

Best, 




Head of School
The Westview School



Email will be the primary mode of communication between Westview administration and teachers to your family. Our weekly newsletter, the Westview Weekly, will be sent consistently every Thursday via email. You can update your email address at any time through our RenWeb portal.




The Westview Information Notification System (W.I.N.S.) replaces the school's previously used phone tree. W.I.N.S is the schools communication tool used to quickly and efficiently notify families of immediate school-wide information, announcements, and/or emergencies.




You can find us online at www.westviewschool.org. Here you will find the most up-to-date information on our campus and our school. Under Campus Life, you will find our blog which covers a variety of topics written by professional members of our Westview community. You will also find a COVID-19 tab that houses the most current information on The Westview School’s Reopening Plan and Remote Learning guidelines. 




The Westview School uses FACTS Family Portal (formerly RenWeb) as our school’s management system. Parents have access to FACTS – a private and secure parents’ portal that allows parents to see academic information specific to their children, while protecting their children’s information from others.

In addition, each student has their own unique username and password for FACTS LMS (Learning Management System) that gives them the opportunity to access the classroom environment – all via the Internet! Just like FACTS FAMILY functionality, FACTS LMS is a private and secure platform. It allows students to connect with other students and teachers online, including accessing class materials, uploading assignments, participating in classroom discussions, and taking quizzes.



Westview has both an official Facebook and Instagram page that is managed by Sarah Chauvin, Communications Director. You can find us @TheWestviewSchool. Here you can find information about school events, community resources and see us delivering our mission. We encourage you to share, comment on and like our Westview School posts.

Our official hashtags are #APlaceWhereYouFit, which is our school motto for the 2020-2021 school year, and #WestviewStrong, which represents our community strength during the educational challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mention @TheWestviewSchool, so we can share your post. We do ask that you not share pictures of other Westview children on your posts unless give express permission by that child’s family.  

Please note: Social media will always be a supplementary form of communication for The Westview School. This is why it is the last thing in our communication list. It is an excellent way for us to share some amazing stories of our awesome school. While we may post important information like open house and school closures, please know that this is always done following an email or notification from W.I.N.S.




Search People of Westview on Facebook and request to be added to this private group of current and former parents and staff members. This is a wonderful resource for support and finding information such as “can you recommend a great person for swimming lessons?”
Calendar at a Glance

Thursday, October 8
  • Founder’s Day (Virtual Assembly)
All students should wear blue Westview polo.

Thursday, October 8
  • Westview EDU: Autism Speaks

Monday, October 12
  • Columbus Day (No School)

Friday, October 30
  • Treats on the Track (Staff/Student Only Event)
Treats on the Track: A Westview School Staff + Student Event
We are pretty bummed to announce that Trunk-or-Treat has officially been taken off our our school calendar for 2020. But never fear, parents! We have a not so spooky, socially-distanced idea up our sleeves. More details to come, but we are planning a Costume Parade plus a Treats on the Track event on Friday, October 30. It will take place during the school day. While we are limiting attendance to staff and students only, we promise to take lots of pictures and give your kiddos the most Halloween fun a school day can hold. Thanks for being so flexible this year.
Tutoring at the Westview School
Did you know that the Westview School offers tutoring for most classes on all grade levels? We currently have spots available for fall tutoring. Anyone interested in tutoring or learning more information on how this might fit into your child's schedule, please contact Teresa Taeger.

Tutoring will be on a 1:1 basis with face-to-face or Zoom options available. Times vary based on each tutor's availability and schedule. Once you sign up, you will be contacted to discuss specific needs and requests. Please let us know if you prefer a specific teacher and we will see if they are available for tutoring this year.
WestviewEDU welcomes Autism Speaks
Save the date for our next WestviewEDU on Thursday, October 8th. The Westview School will welcome Autism Speaks for a virtual gathering with Lindsay Naeder, Senior Director, Mission Delivery, and Arianna Esposito, Director of Lifespan Services and Support.

Lindsay and Arianna will discuss Autism Speaks direct response to COVID-19 and the Autism Response Team’s responses and resources available to members of the autism community. There will be opportunity for Q&A.

This WestviewEDU + Autism Speaks will have multiple sessions - 12:30 PM and 6:00 PM CST. Please choose the session time most convenient for you.

Message from POW: School Store is OPEN!
THANK YOU to those of you who have ordered yearbooks, shirts, masks and lanyards from the new POW online school spirit store! We still have plenty of sizes left at discounted prices so grab them before they are gone. Our new merch will be released in October, and you won't want to miss it! 


Any questions about items and shopping can be directed to Ang Jennings, POW President
Westview is Hiring!
We are looking for a Teacher Assistant to work in our Upper Elementary. The Teacher Assistant will assist the Classroom Teacher in providing a safe, enriching learning experience for our students. Requirements to apply include a High School Diploma and previous experience working with children. Interested applicants are encouraged to email a resume and cover letter to Russell Avery.
 
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. 
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.