October 14, 2021
Dear Westview families, 

This year marks the 40-year anniversary of The Westview School providing a unique, specialized, and nurturing learning environment offering outstanding educational and social opportunities for children on the autism spectrum.

However, to ensure we can fulfill that mission for the next 40 years, we must have a clear strategy to guide our endeavors.

So, six months ago, we began the process of developing a 3-year strategy. We did this by:

-       Collecting data through surveys and focus groups, and we thank you all for your cooperation and participation in this process. The information shared by our families, past and present, plus staff, was essential to identifying the critical initiatives of the strategic plan.

-      Strategy sessions: The Westview School's entire board, both building principals, our head of school, and a teacher representative, spent many hours analyzing the quantitative and qualitative data collected from our community to identify key themes and areas of focus to guide our work for the next three years.

I am personally very excited about the outcome of this process and last week the board unanimously approved a strategic plan. 

Please take a moment to review each of the three Strategic Intents and Initiatives below and hopefully, you will be as excited about what the future of Westview holds as we are.
Paul Janssen
Board Chair
The Westview School
Paul Janssen has been on the Westview School's Board of Directors since January 2010 and has served as Board Chairman since December 2012. Mr. Janssen retired from BMC Software in May of this year after 28 years. Paul is married to Dr. Namieta Janssen, one of the highest regarded rheumatologists in the greater Houston area. Paul and Namieta have four children, including Paul Jr., who attended Westview from 1996 until 2007.
OUR PEOPLE
Prioritize Staff Development: Front and center is an initiative to be intentional about providing top-notch educational opportunities for our staff. Supporting our staff in their professional learning and growth has a direct impact on our students. 

Retain and Attract World-Class Staff: This initiative is focused on ensuring that the most qualified staff can be retained, recruited, and compensated on a level that matches other outstanding schools.

Strengthen Board Development: There is a recognition that school leadership is a dual-pronged team – comprised of outstanding staff and exceptional Board leadership. Board training and structural changes will help attract new leadership and help build a strong and effective Board that has the capacity to advise, oversee and be ambassadors for the Mission and Values that distinguish The Westview School.
OUR CAMPUS
Create World-Class Facilities: We aspire to be known for our outstanding school culture, staff, and program and be known as a magnet for every family that seeks our unique offerings. To do so, the facilities need to match our program offerings.

Horizontal and Vertical Expansion: The Westview School aspires to meet the needs of the community. To do so likely means expansion of its current grade offerings and the possibility of expansion into more grades. To assure success, the first step is a comprehensive study to determine community need.

Physical Space Study: As the study about student census expansion moves forward, it is clear that the current space is maxed out. This calls for a space study to determine how to better utilize existing space as well as how to better utilize the entire campus.
OUR STUDENTS' FUTURES
Critical Thinking Skills: Key to the success of The Westview School is its activities that provide students with the tools to live their best lives. Beyond curriculum are programs and systems that help students learn how to process information to be equipped to solve life problems as they grow and mature.

Social Skills Curriculum: In addition to the academic curriculum, an intentional effort will be made to focus on social skills development. Every student will be equipped with the ability to navigate real-world social situations better.

Family Support: Westview students are blessed to have an inclusive and safe experience throughout each school day, and Westview intends to provide programs and support to each family that can bridge the space between school, home, and beyond.
Calendar at a Glance

Saturday, October 30
  • POW Trunk-or-Treat

Thursday, November 4, 2021
  • Dad's Day (Virtual Event)
  • Westview EDU: Therapy for Kids with ASD

Saturday, November 6, 2021

Thursday, November 11
  • Veterans Day
  • New Family Zoom

November 22 to 26
  • Thanksgiving Break
"Dress Like Your Dad" Day + Virtual Dads' Day
This one's for the Dads! We had so much fun with this event last year that we are bringing it back to celebrate our dads.

Mark your calendar for Thursday, November 4, for our annual Dads' Day event. This event will be held virtually again this year. We know how much Westview loves a good dress-up day, so that this virtual event will be a "Dress Like Your Dad" Day. We encourage all students to come to school dressed like their dad. Like last year, our 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 Dads' 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 1.
PLEASE SAVE THE DATE AND TIME FOR YOUR DADS' 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 
11:35 AM – 12:05 PM – Middle School 
Westview Celebrates Veterans Day
The Westview School would like to recognize our families with members serving or having served in our Armed Forces. We want to honor you and/or your loved ones on Veterans Day, Thursday, November 11. If you or anyone in your family is a Veteran, please complete this survey. Thank you for participating.

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Message from POW: Trunk-or-Treat is Coming Soon
POW would like to invite you to host a trunk for the 4th Annual Westview School Trunk-or-Treat on Saturday, October 30, 2021! Use this link to reserve your spot. Be sure to comment with the theme for your trunk, so we can be sure to assign parking spots appropriately.

Don’t have a theme yet? Do not worry! Still register to reserve a spot, and we will contact you closer to the event.

Trunk-or-Treat spots are free but we ask that you provide your own candy. The trunks will need to be manned from 10A to 12P. An awards ceremony will be held at noon. This year’s event will be held in the 1900 building parking lot.

Thank you so much for your participation! Our community loves this event, and we are so excited it’s back for 2021!

If you have any questions, contact Ang Jennings
To commemorate the fortieth anniversary of The Westview School, the sons of founder, Jane Stewart shared a personal reflection of their early memories of The Westview School and what the legacy of 40 years of Westview means to their family. 

A little over forty years ago, our mother, Jane Stewart, brought us (Joey, Alan, and Steven) all together in the family room and told us she was starting a school for children with disabilities. She had been volunteering at The Briarwood School for a few years, and a group of parents came to her and asked if she would consider teaching their children privately. These parents recognized our mother's compassion and love for all children.  
Walk/Run to Support The Westview School
If you want to run or walk in support of The Westview School, the date to save is November 6, 2021. The Westview School is a sponsor and host site for the upcoming Houston Walk for Apraxia. Also, Alex’s 5k, both virtual and in-person at Macgregor Park, has always been a generous supporter of Westview with race proceeds. Choose a race and visit the website to register with “Team Westview” and for more information.
Westview is Hiring
The Westview School is hiring! Westview is seeking qualified, enthusiastic professionals, to join our team of educators and therapists to fulfill our mission of providing a stimulating, specialized learning environment where children with autism spectrum disorder can reach their fullest potential. If you or someone you know is interested, send a resume and letter of interest electronically to Candi Pettit cpettit@westviewschool.org.