November 5, 2020
Greetings, Westview families,
 
We have successfully completed our first trimester of the 2020-2021 school, and there is so much to celebrate. Our students are thriving online and in our school environment, and we are so proud of how well they have adjusted to ALL the new normals of 2020. Teacher’s conferences will be scheduled in the next few weeks, and I cannot wait for you to hear firsthand from your child's teacher the positive progress your student has made in varying areas. Our teachers have been the key to your student's success. Adapting to change is hard, and Westview faculty and staff have led the way and shown by example to both our students and each other. We have asked a lot of our staffers. From covering carpool and extra recess duty, from ancillary coverage to doing more with less time, our successful start to school can be directly attributed to our super staffers. Adaptability, teamwork, and a willingness to go above and beyond for our Westview community has been key to our success. We are so thankful to our staff and teachers for serving our students and community so very well. 
 
We are also delighted to announce our October Westview Wonder Wall winners. Westview Wonder Wall is our monthly, school-wide recognition program that celebrates students who demonstrate hard work, excellent character, significant progress, and the strong attributes representing a Westview Wildcat. Students are chosen from each building via teacher and staff nominations. Monthly winners are pictured in our school hallways during the entire year and will have lunch together on campus with our principals. 
 
Many thanks,




Head of School
The Westview School
October Wonder Wall Winners
Hooray to one of our littlest Wildcats, Rebekah for being awarded our Social Butterfly Award for Westview’s October Wonder Wall. Bekah is always welcoming visits from staff members when she sees them throughout the day. She notices them immediately and will come over and ask if they would like to play. She sweetly greets all her teachers and is always excited to see them. Bekah also respects the rules by getting as close as possible to her friends while maintaining a proper distance. She is so loving and happy, and we are so proud of her!
Hip Hip Hooray! Westview is proud to announce October Wonder Wall Winner, Harris who has a Heart of Gold. Harris has shown great empathy, care, and compassion for his friends and teachers from the very beginning of the school year. He is super sweet and loving which you can see during dismissal when he says goodbye to staff and friends by their name. Way to go, Harris!
Congratulations to Middle School student, Brighton for earning the Rockstar Wonder Wall Award for October. Brighton has worked so hard this school year. His teachers have been impressed with every piece of work he has turned in. Brighton is methodical and precise. He does not waste any time and is a diligent student that is always prepared and ready. He is also very detailed and thoughtful and a joy to have at school. We are so proud of you, Brighton!
Calendar at a Glance

Thursday, November 5

Saturday, November 7
  • Music for Autism (Virtual Concert)

Wednesday, November 11
  • Veterans Day
Students should wear red, white, and blue.


Thursday, November 12
  • Dad's Day (Virtual Event)
Students should "Dress Like Their Dad".

November 23 to 27
  • Thanksgiving Break
"Dress Like Your Dad" Day + Virtual Dad's Day
This one’s for the Dads! This year our Dad’s Day event will be held virtually on Thursday, November 12. We know how much Westview loves a good dress-up day, so we are calling this virtual event, “Dress Like Your Dad” Day. We encourage all students to come to school dressed like their dad. We are bummed that Dads WILL NOT be on campus this year, BUT we have blocked time during the school day for all dads (or special friends) to Zoom into classes. The Dad’s Day ZOOM will be a 20-30 minute time commitment per class. Your child’s teacher will email the ZOOM link and any activity details for dad or special guest by Monday, November 9. If your student is virtual, the daily ZOOM link will be how dads will connect. 
Please save the date and time for your Dad’s Day ZOOM.
The times per grade level are listed below:
 
9:30 AM – 10:00 AM – ECD + PreK
10:00 AM - 10:30 AM – K
10:30 AM – 11:00 AM – Lower El
11:00 AM – 11:30 AM – Upper El 
11:30 AM – 12:00 PM – Middle School 
Thanksgiving Food Drive to Support the Houston Food Bank
Thanksgiving feast has been a long-standing tradition at The Westview School. We are very disappointed that this year we will not be able to hold our annual celebration. Westview’s feast has served as an opportunity for our students to experience a traditional Thanksgiving meal with their class levels and families. And within the preparations leading to the day, our teachers have focused on pointing our kids towards expressing love and gratitude to our families and friends. This year in lieu of gathering and feeding our families on campus, we are excited to extend the love and gratitude of the season to the Greater Houston community many of which have been less fortunate than us. The Westview School will support the local Houston Food Bank during November with a school-wide food drive. Non-perishable donations can be dropped off at morning carpool beginning on Tuesday, November 10 through Friday, November 20. Make the biggest impact for the food bank by donating some of their most needed items. These items include canned meat (chicken, tuna, Vienna sausage), other canned proteins, canned pasta (pasta with meat sauce and ravioli), canned fruit, canned applesauce, canned vegetables.
Thanksgiving Travel Reminder
It is important for us to remind families that 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.

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.
WestviewEDU: Planning, Saving and Paying for Autism
Have you ever asked yourself, "How am I going to pay for that?" If so, join us tonight Thursday, November 5 at 7PM for our next Westview EDU. 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.

Please RSVP and a Zoom link will be emailed to you prior to the event.

Annual Fund is Happening NOW
Thank you to everyone who has already contributed to this year's Westview Annual Fund. We are two weeks in and already up to $15,000. 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. 
October Flashback - Founder's Day + Treats on the Track
Westview Halloween 2020 - Treats on the Track
Music for Autism Virtual Concert
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

Westview is Hiring!
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.