November 9, 2023
Dear Westview Families,

This weekend Team Westview showed up 20+ members strong at Alex's 5K. Our team included students, staff, family, and friends of Westview, and the weather was absolutely perfect for a run/walk for a cause. Thank you to all members of our Westview community who supported this event both at MacGregor Park and from home. This is the thirteenth year that The Westview School has been chosen as one of the Houston based autism charities to receive a portion of the proceeds. We are so thankful to the Bayou City Road Runners (BCRR) and Alex's parents, Milan Jamrich and Kathi Mahon for including Westview as a beneficiary of Alex's 5K again this year. Westview is proud to be affiliated with this event that honors the life of such a special young man. To learn more about their mission, you can visit the race website here.

Alex's 5K and Kids' K is a great event that helps to raise autism awareness in our community and also spreads the word about Westview. We are always looking to connect with local organizations with shared missions. If you have family members or friends who are connected to any local family or corporate foundations that may be interested in supporting The Westview School, please contact Roger Browning so that we can possibly secure an introduction.

Looking forward, 




Head of School
The Westview School
RUNNING FOR WESTVIEW - ALEX'S 5K
Calendar at a Glance

NOVEMBER 14, 2023
  • Admissions Informational Session

NOVEMBER 20-24, 2023
  • Thanksgiving Break

December 2, 2023

DECEMBER 7, 2023

DECEMBER 14, 2023
  • Westview Holiday Play | New Life Church @ 9:30 AM

DECEMBER 15, 2023 to JANUARY 2, 2024
  • Westview Winter Break

JANUARY 3, 2024
  • Westview Staff Development Day | Student Holiday (No School)
October Wonder Wall Winners
Congratulations to Kindergartener Irie for being a Westview Wonder Wall winner in October. Irie demonstrates a high level of empathy towards her peers and consistently takes the initiative to offer comfort and support when they encounter challenging situations. She always strives to provide solace, whether through a reassuring hug or a consoling pat on the back. Irie consistently exhibits kindness and generosity when sharing with her peers, earning the admiration and pride of her teachers. Congratulations, Irie, on exemplifying such commendable qualities!
We are excited to announce Diego, Middle School student, as a Westview Wonder Wall Winner for October. Diego always considers his friends' feelings when making decisions. Diego flexes his empathy muscle during Fly Five lessons by personally connecting to them, and he helps his friends connect to the lessons by assisting them to imagine what it's like to walk in the shoes of another person who might be having a rough day. Diego is a thoughtful friend who tries to include others he believes are being left out, and he regularly brainstorms positive ways to help other friends. Diego has adjusted well to middle school and is a very motivated and responsible student. Way to go, Diego!
Hooray for Middle School student Nicole! She was awarded as an October Wonder Wall winner because she demonstrates self-control under pressure. She is a role model for others because she shows persistence when frustrated. Nicole is initiating greetings with peers and adults with a friendly smile and a warm "hello." When she experiences social challenges, she'll stop and say something like "never mind" or "sorry" rather than argue with her peers. Nicole just keeps getting better and better at socializing at school and continues to be self-directed in her personal growth. We are so proud of you, Nicole!
Admissions Event: Informational Session for Prospective Families
Do you know someone who may be interested in learning more about The Westview School? Westview Admissions, Becky Travis and Jolaine Zuccala will be online next Tuesday, November 14 at 12:00 PM to connect with prospective families. If you know someone who would like to learn how Westview could be a fit for their child, please share our event with them. Discussions will include the student experience and program deliverables. *This informational session is not intended for current families, but for prospective families interested in future enrollment.

Last Call for Camp For All Costume Drive | Ends Nov 10
Another partnership that Westview is proud to recognize is Camp For All. This year, Camp For All, a nonprofit that transforms the world for children and adults with challenging illnesses or special needs, is seeking eerie-sistible Halloween costumes for donation.

Now through November 10, please drop off your new or very gently-used Halloween costumes in either Westview lobby during this time. All of the costumes donated will be added to the costume closet at Camp For All for campers to enjoy for years to come.

Specific costume needs include: 
  • Boys costumes 
  • Teen costumes 
  • Adult costumes 
  • Superhero costumes 
  • Fun Props  

Please no blazers, slacks or prom dresses.
Save the Date for Music for Autism - Saturday, December 2, 2023
The Westview School is excited to welcome Music for Autism to campus this December for a holiday concert. Music for Autism is a national organization that aims to enhance the quality of life and raise public awareness through autism-friendly, interactive concerts developed specifically for individuals with autism and their families. These performances are live, interactive, open to the community, and autism-friendly. Save the date for Saturday, December 2, 2023, at 11:00 AM. The Houston-based WindSync will be the musical talent. The concert will be held on the Westview campus in Largent Hall. This event is open to the community, and registration is required. If you are interested in volunteering for the event, please complete this form.
Save the Date for the Holiday Play | Thursday, December 14
The holidays are coming, and we are overjoyed to invite our families to join us for the annual Westview Holiday Play. Save the date for Thursday, December 14, 2023. The all-school performance will begin at 9:30 AM at New Life Church, directly across the street from The Westview School. There will be no early seating, and doors will open at 9:00 AM. Music classes are very busy preparing for the production, and we can't wait for you to see your student take the stage.
 
Also, please note that there will be no school or extended day following the performance, so your student should be picked up from their classroom immediately following the program's conclusion. More details to come, but mark your calendar and invite your family to as well. We can't wait to see you!
Paint a Tile - Campus Beautification Volunteer Project
At Trunk-or-Treat last month, volunteers from The Kinkaid School manned our Paint a Tile - Make Your Mark booth. This begins a project where student members of Kinkaid's Community Service Leadership Council will restore the stone benches around campus. These benches were originally installed at the grand opening of the 1900 building in 1999. They are in need of a refresh.

We received many lovely tiles painted on Saturday. If you would still like to participate, please email Sarah Chauvin to have tiles set aside for your family. We encourage both current and former families to participate by decorating a tile update the benches.

We are thankful to Kinkaid for partnerning with Westview on this campus beautification project.
Chess Wizards is Returning this Spring
CHESS WIZARDS
We are excited to welcome Chess Wizards back to campus this spring for challenging chess lessons, exciting tournaments, fun, team activities, and more! If you’re brand-new to chess, you will learn the basics and get playing right away. If you’re a seasoned checkmate artist, you will learn new ways to let your creativity show on the chessboard. Classes will be Tuesdays from 3:20 PM to 4:20 PM for 7 sessions beginning on January 23. The cost is $147 per student. Chess Wizards enrollment is for Upper Elementary and Middle School students only.  Register at www.chesswizards.com. See the flyer for more details.
Order Your 2023-2024 Westview Yearbook
Have you purchased your 2023-2024 Westview Yearbook yet? Yearbooks are on sale NOW in the Balfour store. The link to purchase can be found on the Balfour website. Below are some easy-to-follow instructions for reserving your copy today. The cost per book is $50, and the price for dedications is a Full Page - $100, 1/2 Page - $50, 1/4 Page - $25, and 1/8 Page - $15.

  1. Click on the Balfour School Store link
  2. Scroll down and across to the Yearbook Products & ADS and click "Shop Now"
  3. Enter student info & click "shop for this student"
  4. Then choose yearbook and what size dedication you would like.

Questions? Email Angela Loftin, Yearbook Coordinator.
The season of gratitude, generosity, and giving back is upon us. Save the date for Giving Tuesday, November 28, 2023. It is a day dedicated to supporting nonprofits across the globe. The Westview School would love your support of our Westview Fund.

For those who have already contributed to this year's Westview Fund, we sincerely THANK YOU. If you still need to make your gift, please consider Westview on this year's Giving Tuesday.
Did you know that many employers sponsor matching gift programs and will match any charitable contributions made by their employees? To find out if your company has a matching gift policy, visit our matching page online.
Help Us Grow Our Substitute Teacher List
The Westview School is looking to increase our substitute teacher list. We have found that Westview parents are a perfect fit for this role. As a Westview substitute, you will primarily work as the class assistant for the day. We are so appreciative of all our parents who have dedicated time to support our school by being a part of our sub-list. We would love to include YOU too! The pay is $15 per hour. If you are interested in substitute teaching on a preschool, elementary, or middle school level or if you know someone who would be, please contact Michelle Chapa to complete the necessary paperwork and background check to be added to our list.