WESTVIEW The school for high-functioning children with autism spectrum disorder
CELEBRATING AUTISM AWARENESS April is Autism Awareness Month look inside to see how Westview celebrates National Autism Awareness Day
The Annual Fundraising Luncheon raises more than $230,000 for The Westview School
Westview receives highest accreditation from Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
THE WESTVIEW SCHOOL The school for high-functioning children with autism spectrum disorder
OUR VISION The vision of The Westview School is to create options and opportunities for children with autism spectrum disorder.
OUR MISSION Our mission is to provide a stimulating, specialized learning environment where high-functioning children with autism spectrum disorder can reach their potential.
OUR BELIEFS The Westview School believes that children with autism spectrum disorder can grow and learn through a nurturing, positive and happy environment that enhances their self-esteem. Photography Credits: Jaana Eleftheriou; Carol Harrison; 2 Adrea Harris
NEWS Annual Fundraising Luncheon raises more than $230,000
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Westview receives highest honors from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
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LIFE Celebrating the arts is an important part of the curriculum at Westview
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Students and staff show their school pride during Spirit Week
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ALUMNI Nathan Redmon to study astrophysics at Texas Christian University
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Bryan Dujka excels in the human resources department at Timewise Industries
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SPRING 2015
A note from the Head of School
Light it up blue for autism awareness Dear Friends, Each April, we celebrate National Autism Awareness month. This is a wonderful opportunity to shine a light on autism spectrum disorder and support autism awareness in our community. On April 2, we “Lit it Up Blue” along with people all over the world. It’s amazing to hear about all the particpiants who went blue in honor of autism awareness: the Empire State Building; One World Trade Center and Rockefeller Center in New York City; Niagara Falls in Canada; the Christ the Redeemer Statue in Brazil; the Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt; the Tokyo Tower in Japan; Trafalgar Square in London, and even the British Antarctic Survey’s Halley VI Station on Antarctica. It’s comforting to know that people all over the globe are doing their part to promote awareness. On page 6 you will find a list of friends of the school who made generous donations in 2014-2015 that will help fund the 22% of our operating costs not covered by tuition. I send my heartfelt thanks to each and every one of you for your generosity and support of our program. Because of you, The Westview School’s future is very bright! Sincerely, Donna Marshall Head of School
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LIGHT IT UP WESTVIEW
W ITH T H E HE L P O F WE S TVIEW A RT TEAC HER , M S. FRA N BROCHS TE IN, S TU D EN T S C R EATED B EAUTIFUL LA MPS T HAT D EC ORAT E D T HE TA B LES AT R IV ER OA K S CO UN TRY CLUB TO “ LIGH T IT UP WESTV IEW.”
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The “I Love You” lamp was made by prekindergarten and kindergarten classes with the help of art teacher Ms.S Fran Brochstein PRIN G 2015
ANNUAL FUNDRAISING LUNCHEON M O R E T H AN $ 2 3 0,0 0 0 WA S R A ISED TO S U PPO RT T HE W ESTV IEW SC HOOL
The 2015 fundraising luncheon was a huge success thanks in large part to the wonderful parents, families and friends of Westview who hosted tables and attended the event. Current Westview student TJ Therriault and former student James Mayfield spoke to the crowd of more than 270 attendees, both earning standing ovations. Current parent Kelly Hamman and former parent Lynn ClouserKelly also spoke about their experiences at Westview, bringing both laughter and heart-felt tears to everyone in the room. Lynn’s son, former student Marshall, also came onstage to congratulate his mom and thank everyone for coming. The luncheon raised more than $230,000. Thank you to all who made gifts - it is because of the generosity of our donors that we can keep tuition as low as possible and continue to provide a stimulating, specialized learning environment for our students.
We have made every effort to accurately recognize the gifts acknowledged in the annual report. If we have inadvertently made an error, please accept our apologies and contact John Moring, Director of Development, at JMoring@westviewschool.org. WESTVIEW
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2014-2015 DONORS Stewards - $1,500 to $4,999
Foundation Donors ($50,000 +) Landmark Charities The Brown Foundation M.D. Anderson Foundation ($20,000 to $49,999) Pauline Altman Foundation The Hamman Foundation ($10,000 to $19,999) The Ellwood Foundation Wilkinson Family Foundation The Mary H. Cain Foundation ($5,000 to $9,999) Albert and Ethel Herzstein Foundation Junior League of Houston, Inc. Doris and Floyd Kimble Foundation Frank and Cindy Liu Family Foundation Houston Junior Women’s Club Founders - $10,000 to $49,999 Nabeel Amudi and Lamess Al-Ali Stephen and Jackie Atkins Richard and Karen Burch Richard and Debra Grigsby Henry R. and Ann Hamman Denis and Trey Mayfield Benefactors - $5,000 to $9,999 Charles Douglas Bauer Matthew and Diana Brogdon Sarah and Dean Chauvin Mrs. Donita Choate Walter and Kathryn Christopherson Curtis Collier Gregg Properties Co. LTD. Mr. and Mrs. Hector Guerra Sr. Jeffrey T. Young
Amanda KD Debra and Dean Chauvin Tyler and Mikki Ford Fred and Kem Frost George and Beth Galvin Connie and Jonathan Gregory Shawn and Shannon Griffiths Dr. Hector and Dana Guerra Doug and Yana Hohertz John and Carol Howenstine Paul and Dr. Namieta Janssen Jim and Melba King Houston Land Rover / Jaguar Stanley and Ronda Lewis Susan and Stephen Mahoney Leslie and Todd Mogil Tom and Clarice Motter Next Step Academy Tammy and Wayne Nguyen Karrie and Rodney Steward Dorina Tisbury Nigel Willerton Melinda Winchell Debby Young Ann and Ben Ziker Pacesetters - $1,000 to $1,499 Michelle and Steve Bohreer Deborah E. Corcoran Mr. Wayne Curington Julian and Robert Curran Cynthia Dauner Denise and Deigo Fernandez Leonna Gregg Deborah and Ahmed Islam Penny and Paul Khuri
Lloyd Gite Enterprises Inc. Mr. Craig McDonald Trevor and Sarah McGinnis Ginni and Richard Mithoff Louis and Marilyn Mogas Ans Papasakellanou Mark and Susan Sanders Betty M. Snow Joey and Laura Stewart
Friends - $250 to $499
Marie C. Amedee Lillian Bean BP Fabric of America Fund Val Burguieres Dr. Rita M. Cammarata Lousette B. Champagne Phyllis and Gregory Chronowski Frank and Belinda Cummings Jeffrey and Ann Cummins Melissa Dunlap-Gorman Episcopal High School Toby Everett Martin and Kelli Fein James and Deborah Gates Kelly and Russell Hamman Thomas and Julie Hatfield Associates - $500 to $999 Thomas S. Henderson Dr. Regina Hicks Roger and Holly Anderson Ira Hirschfield and Tom Hansen Kathryn D. Christopherson Charlcie and James Hopkins United States Fire Insurance Stephanie Kaithakottil Company Penny and Paul Khuri Perri Palermo-Motamedi Cathy and Kenneth Kuehn Mary Ann Carrico Caroline Starr LeBlanc Jason and Sanja Feer Lifetime Learners Child Mr. and Mrs. Michael L. Klein Development Center Paulal and Nathan Ticatch Mary Lynn Mather Danny and Shirley Ross Matthew and Jessica Mathieson William and Corinne Van Wyk Michelle McGrath Kathleen R. McLaurin Jean and Tom McIntosh Elizabeth and Donald Henderson Gerald and Ann Melancon Kelly and Don Baird Carol and Bruce Mitchell Jeff Kangieser Susan and Michael Mogil John and Wendy Welch Bill a and Cristina Moore Danielle Comeaux Mr. Gibson Gayle, Jr. Eric and Katie Hazeldine Steven Peterson Sherry Lynn Speece Susan P. Kaptanovic Christine Powell Christopher and Jill Rider Kate and Jonathan Day Barbara and Paul Schwartz Aileen and Jim Reilly Shell Oil Company Foundation Adrea and Nick Harris Pat and Rodger Simmons Lloyd Gite Enterprises Inc. Pat and Frank Simmons Eric and Joanna Norman Betty and Dennis Souza Liz Kelly David R Stevenson Ali Santano Sam and Melinda Stubbs Heather Leverett Texas Swim Academy Lisa Blackwood W. Daniel Williamson, M.D. Amy Collier Robert C. Wilson Sannam and Scott Warrender Julie Applebaum Kimberly A. Pate Kai Jones Kathy C. Flanagan
All gifts listed are from fiscal year 2014-2015 6
SPRING 2015
2014-2015 DONORS
Supporters - Up to $200 Trena Acker Mr. and Mrs. Charles Acquaah Rebecca Akin Linda and Val Aldred Annel Ramos Alvarado Courie Anderson Robert L. Arkus Mrs. Faye K. Baker Lara Baker Michele Bauman Joseph Ramona and Bob Baumeister Adam Beck Patricia and Pierre Beynet Brigitte Blair Beth and Frank Bogaert Kim and David Bohreer BP Foundation Marchel Brennan Angela and Bob Brinkman Tom and Cindy Brinsko Deborah Brochstein Mary Denis Brockman William and Myra Brown Sarah Jane Burch Lucy Burns Jaimi Canady Octavio and Mary Cantu Darah Carter Michael and Sharon Castronovo Drywall Charter Child’s Play Learning Center Katye P. Clard Tanya E. Clarkson Mr. Joel C. Clouser Nick and Kristi Conway Roland and Teresa Cortez Angela Craven William L. Crothers, Jr. Lama Danial Mark Davidson and Sarah Duckers
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Cristina Deboben Sandra and Gerald DeSobe Loretta and Frank Dieudonne Barry and Stacy Edick Steven and Kim Ellis Mary Elmore Suzanne Erlanson Marianne Essington Andriana Falcon Bill and Cindy Featherston Dr. and Mrs. Harold Fields Megan Finegan Mr. and Mrs Gene W Fischer John and Deidre Galvin Ricardo Garza Val Gelo Cassandra Gerling-Perez Mr. William E. Gipson Diane and David Glanzer Betsy and Ed Goldstein
Mary Guillot Angelita Gutierrez Jennifer Hammer Babette Harding Sharon M. Harris Carol and Jim Harrison George Westervelt Harsh III Erica T. Hayes Trina Hearn Paul A. Heller Erika Henderson Kanan Henry Sabine Herminghaus Patricia and Norris Hinds Charlcie and James Hopkins DeRonica Horn Jane S. Howze Victoria and Brent Hughes Robert and Marianne Ivany Kyra Izzo Mary Jacobus Anita James Lori Janak Anna Karamian Timothy and Jennifer Kelley Vic Khemsara James T. Konen
Missy Krantz Angela M. Landry Elizabeth Lane Kelly Layne Tami Ledbetter Anjanette Lee Susan M. Leslie Matthew Maglothin John J. Mahmarian Elizabeth and Timonthy Mahoney, Jr. Clarence and Gloria Mallet Molly K. Malone Earl and Kristi Martin Tinera Mathews Joe and Susan Maxwell, II Kevin McDowell Michael and Barbara McKenzie Cynthia and John McNamara Vicky and Bruno Mediate Sanjay and Parul Mediwala Medtrak Data Systems Greer Meehan Harold and Rose Meyer Richard and Cheryl Mifflin Nancy and Don Miller H.H. Mims Elizabeth Moore Susan and Michael Mogil Natalie and Ken Montfort Kenichi Mori Chris and John M. Mort Heinrich Nagel Mike Najarian and Jackie Plesnicher Mauri and Gail Newman Kathleen and John Nowiejski Michael and Lillian Osowski Marianne S. Paley Elida and Michael Paris Neil and Alice Parsons Deborah Pearson Linda and Saul Perlman Carolyn Pettit Francine M. Pilloff Richard and AnneMarie Piper Mr. Phillip Plumber Debbie and Luke Primrose
All gifts listed are from fiscal year 2014-2015
Questar Corporation Renna Rauch Michael Redman Scott Richards Jo Roberts Jaime and David Rodewalt Leslie G. Roffwarg Mark ane Ann Rome Tracey and Steve Ross Rotary E-Club of Houston Erica D. Rouse Betty and Daniel Rubin Jennifer Rule Patricia Russell Jessie and Marilyn Safarik Jorge L. Salazar Sharon Sanders Sharon and Bob Sartain John and Loretta Schietinger George Louis Schlemeyer Mr. Mathew G. Schmidt Loretta and Giovanni Settonni Samuel Shehadeh Pamela and Donald Sheley Debra Sigler Bonnie C. Simpson Callie Smith Jennifer Soley Steven and Amy Stewart Timonthy Stewart John and Margaret Stolte Gena and Robert Stuber Elizabeth Suarez William Taeger Jerry Thorne Melissa and Richard Tiner Mr. Jimmy Trawick Margaret and Donald Trexler Donna and Richard Welch Tracy Whittaker Tavonye WIlliams JoLynn and William Wray Joan E. Wright Sharon Yesland Tom and Sharon Zaal Laura Zaidan Sandra Zimmerman
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“Our main focus is the kids - they are the most important piece of this puzzle.� -Carol Harrison, Principal 8
SPRING 2015
WESTVIEW RECEIVES HIGHEST ACCREDITATION FROM SACS In March 2015, Westview went through an accreditation process administered by AdvancED, the largest community of education professionals in the world. AdvancED is a non-profit, nonpartisan organization that conducts rigorous, on-site external reviews of school systems to ensure that all learners realize their full potential. AdvancED is far from a typical accrediting agency. Their goal isn’t only to certify that schools are good enough. Rather, their commitment is to help schools improve. After careful evaluation, the accreditation team determined that The Westview School was an equitable, supportive and well-managed learning environment and offered the school highest honors with an accreditation of five years with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. “What’s so great about this process is that it continually guides us to grow and adapt to best meet our students’ needs,” said Carol Harrison, principal. “We received some wonderful recommendations and will continue to improve on what is already a solid program.” One of the ways the school will improve is by adding more technology and upgrading its digital learning environment. “We have already purchased Mimio boards, which are interactive whiteboards, for nearly all of our classrooms, and we plan to offer
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Westview’s overall scores from AdvancEd were above the national and international averages.
specialized training to our teachers so that they can best utilize this new technology to enhance learning,” Carol said. Russell Avery, principal, said that maintaining accreditation is imperative to the school’s success. “When parents are looking for a school for their children, they want to be assured that the organization is being held accountable and is running a program of the highest standards,” he said. “We take pride in the fact that our scores were above average as compared to not only schools in the country, but to schools all over the world.” “I am so proud of Westview’s staff, students and parents for the roles they play in making Westview a premiere program for children with ASD,” Carol said. “I’m grateful to be a part of it.”
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Artwork by David, middle school
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SPRING 2015
CELEBRATING THE ARTS Music, visual art and drama classes at Westview play a vital role in the education of children with autism spectrum disorder. In the last decade, many credible scientific studies have shed light on the benefits of the arts on the human brain. “Perhaps the most fascinating interplay between music and the brain lies in the case files of people with autism spectrum disorder,” said Susie Norman, Westview music teacher. “The neurobiology of autism indicates the overdevelopment of short-range brain connections. Consequently, children with autism tend to focus intensely on the fine details of sensory experience, such as the precise sound quality emitted by appliances,” she said. Because of this, Susie said, detailed sensory experiences with sound may account for the many anecdotal reports of children with autism who thoroughly enjoy making and learning music. A disproportionate number of children with autism spectrum disorder are musical savants, with extraordinary abilities in specialized areas, such as perfect pitch. This positive response to music opens the door to treatments that can help children with ASD engage in activities with other people - which is a huge part of the program at The Westview School, Susie said. Other benefits include acquiring language, motor skills, and even math techniques. “Music activates areas of the brain that relate to social ways of thinking. When listening to music, we often get a sense of the emotional states of the people who created it and are playing it,” Susie said. By encouraging children with ASD to imagine these emotions, music therapists and WESTVIEW
teachers can help them learn to think about other people and what they might be feeling. “It’s also great because kids, especially the younger ones, don’t realize that art and music are teaching them something. They just think they’re having fun!” said Trey Clark, Westview music teacher. Fran Brochstein, art therapist, agrees that engaging in the arts can help the entire brain; social communication, critical thinking, creativity, problem-solving, collaboration, reflection and self-direction. “All of these empower the child!” she said. Many children on the autism spectrum benefit from exploring materials due to their intense visual and tactile sensory needs and sometimes non-verbal nature. In addition, they are strengthening their fine motor skills. The creation of art can also help children to better understand abstract ideas, which can be a difficult concept for those on the autism spectrum. Helping to understand abstract ideas and facilitate more flexible thinking is continued in drama class with Hal Miller. Students practice and perform several drama productions throughout the year, and can even get extra practice in an after-school drama club led by Heather Kirby and Robin McGee. “We believe that drama classes can increase social awareness and memory,” said Heather. “There’s no question that the arts are an imperative part of any educational program, particularly when dealing with children on the autism spectrum.” Trey said that the goal of the arts program is to instill a love of music, art, drama or other arts in kids while helping them to learn valuable life skills. “If we have done that, we can consider ourselves successful.”
Top: Music teacher Trey Clark and teacher assistant Angela Loftin lead pre-kindergarten in song and dance. Above: Preston and Ramsey practice a magic act in Hal Miller’s drama class.
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WE’VE GOT SPIRIT, YES WE DO!
Favorite Team Day was a big hit with students during Spirit Week.
In late March, Westview celebrated Spirit Week, a fun-filled week of activities and “dress-up days” that help get families geared up for Family Fun Day. “It’s sort of like homecoming for us,” said Head of School Donna Marshall. “We want our kids to be able to participate in these sorts of activities so that they will know what to expect if they attend typical middle or high schools. It’s also just a ton of fun!”
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Spirit days included Crazy Sock Day, Hat Day, Pajama Day, Favorite Team Day, and finally, Westview Spirit Day. “Spirit Week gets everyone excited about Family Fun Day,” said Steve Bohreer, Parents of Westview president. “Family Fun Day is a time for all Westview families to come out and enjoy one another in a casual setting. It’s so important for our families to socialize outside of school - we are each other’s greatest supporters.”
SPRING 2015
From Crazy Sock Day to Favorite Hat Day, Westview students and staff showed their school spirit in preparation for Family Fun Day.
Parents of Westview did an excellent job with organizing the event. Pony rides, horse rides, a trackless train, a rock climbing wall, face painting and food trucks were just a few of the many activities for families to enjoy.
“This is a Westview tradition and something that our families look forward to each year,” Donna said. “We are so appreciative of Parents of Westview for all the hard work they put into making this a wonderful event.”
“My favorite part was the dunk booth!” said Carter, a kindergarten student at Westview. Carter got to dunk Mike Morris, P.E. teacher. Other brave dunkees included the everpopular Candi Pettit, motor teacher Jonni Lisy and behavior specialist Ken Montfort.
Thank you all the volunteers who donated their time and services to the event, including Rotary Club members, Halter, Inc., Maui Wowi Coffee and Smoothies and D.J. Joel Rodriguez.
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ALUMNI So, you want to be an
ASTROPHYSICIST?
“If you’d have asked me 20 years ago if I thought my son could be an astrophysicist, I’d have told you no,” said Donna Redmon, mother of Westview alumnus Nathan Redmon. “Who would have guessed when we got his autism diagnosis at age 2 and didn’t know if he would ever talk that this is where we would end up?” Nathan will be attending Texas Christian University (TCU) in Fort Worth as a Dean’s Scholar beginning in Fall 2015. He will be studying astrophysics. Dean’s Scholars are carefully chosen from the most 14
academically-competitive group of admitted students in TCU history. According to the admissions staff at TCU, Nathan’s achievements “are commendable, and you and your family have reason to be proud.” The Dean’s Scholarship has a value of $72,000. “We have met with the TCU Physics department, and they have met Nathan with a kind and welcoming heart,” said Nathan’s father, Chris Redmon. “We are very excited.” In Nathan’s college application letter, he wrote, “The only difference between an aspiration and a SPRING 2015
Above: Nathan near the time of his diagnosis at age 2 Right: Nathan’s Senior dedication from his high school yearbook celebrates his many accomplishments
minor want is the person’s focus on it. For me, at this moment, that desire is to be a prestigious physicist, preferably in one of the more fundamental branches, and to make an important discovery in science. Accomplishing this lofty goal in the whole may be fanciful, but it can be achieved through my current and planned endeavors, both in academics and in extracurricular activities.”
in relating to others,” she said. “I know that I do not always understand the ‘why’ of situations, but I do know this: I have seen Nathan grow over the past two years in so many ways. Yet the one that blesses my heart the most is the tremendous growth he has shown in his relationships with his peers.”
After an early start at Westview, Nathan was mainstreamed into a typical kindergarten class. Since then, he has excelled in academics; since his 5th grade year, he has been on his school’s math and science teams, winning the state’s first-place science title for the Texas Math & Science Coaches Association (TMSCA) state championship for his grade level three times and once for second place.
“They are the innovators, the discoverers, the ones who think outside the box - the ones whose contributions make all of our lives better. I have total faith that Nathan will be one of those individuals,” she said.
Nathan’s former AP chemistry teacher, Dr. Pamela England Jungman, had nothing but praise for her student. “Nathan is not an average student. His autism diagnosis at the age of 2 helps to explain the difficulties that Nathan experiences on a daily basis WESTVIEW
Dr. Jungman said she thanks God every day for the people in our world who are more than normal.
“Because of your understanding and support of Nathan through the years, Donna and I want to thank you from the bottom of our hearts and thank the Lord above for bringing you across Nathan’s path,” said Chris. Donna shares these sentiments. “We are beyond blessed and know that God has placed wonderful teachers and schools like Westview in Nathan’s path for him to grow and succeed!” she said. 15
ALUMNI
Bryan Dujka
Deborah Dujka remembers her first trip to The West- Bryan is also taking computer courses at Wharton County Junior College in Richmond. He drives into view School well. “We met with Jane Stewart, the founder of Westview, Houston for work and on the weekends helps on a catfor an interview. Bryan, my son, threw a tantrum on tle ranch that his family owns. the floor for 30 minutes.”
“I remember when Bryan was a student here,” said Candi Pettit, administrative assistant. “What I rememDeborah said she cried the entire drive home. ber the most is his sweet personality and disposition “After that first meeting with Jane, I never would have - he could always bring a smile to my face no matter thought that our lives would turn out so well,” said what was going on.” Deborah. “But look at him now!” The Dujka family’s continued support of The WestBryan is now working in the Human Resources de- view School has been invaluable. Each year the Landpartment at Landmark Industries. His father, Marshall mark Charities organization makes a generous contribDujka, said that Bryan accomplished in about a week tion to the school. In years past their donations have what the department had been trying to do for more funded a computer lab, various technology upgrades, a than a year. set of lockers for the middle school and more. “We had tons of files that needed to be organized. No “We’re thankful for what the Westview school did for one had the time to do it, but Bryan came in and got us our family, and we’re happy to be able to support the squared away in a week!” work they’re doing,” Deborah said.
Above: Bryan presented Dr. Katherine Loveland of the University of Texas Health Science Center with a donation from Landmark Charities. Dr. Loveland is a clinic superviser at The Stewart Center at The Westview School. Right: Bryan pictured at his family’s home 16
SPRING 2015
PARENT EDUCATION Being a parent is tough. Adding on the additional challenges of raising a child with special needs can be overwhelming and often presents additional layers of emotional, mental, physical and financial stress.
are able to work together in an organized, directed way, we can move mountains. The progress that we see is often astounding!”
Free parent education courses are offered each week through The Stewart Center, the full-service psychology clinic on the Westview campus. Topics vary each week and range from hygiene and self-care to improving problem-solving skills and flexibility.
School. “We invite anyone who is interested to take advantage of this wonderful resource. It is a goal of The Stewart Center to give back to the community and help educate and empower both familes and professionals who work with children with special needs.”
Held each Thursday at 9:30 a.m., parent education “Our goal is to offer parents support and guidance so classes are free and open to the community. They are that they can feel confident and empowered to help located at 1830 Kersten Drive, Houston, TX, 77043. their children be successful,” said Ken Montfort, West- “You do not have to be a Westview parent in order to view Behavior Specialist. attend these classes,” said Donna Marshall, Head of
Speakers include Natalie Montfort, MA, and Ken If you would like to learn more about the parent eduMontfort, MA, both of The Stewart Center, as well as cation series or would like a list of dates and topics for specialists and professionals from all over the country. 2015-2016, please call 713-973-1900 or send an email “Parental involvement is a huge part of the program at to aharris@westviewschool.org. Westview,” said Ken. “When parents and school staff
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YOUR GIFT MAKES A DIFFERENCE Westview receives no federal or state funding and relies on the generosity of the Houston community to help fund the 22% ($746,000) of our operating budget not covered by tuition and fees. The current tuition at Westview ranges from $17,995 to $25,995 annually. Tuition is challenging for some families faced with the emotional and financial burden of raising a child with autism spectrum disorder. The Westview School’s goal is that no child should be turned away due to financial limitations. This year alone we will award $225,000 to 18
students who need to attend school but whose families are unable to pay. Since 2003 The Westview School has awarded $1,600,000 in scholarships. Ways to Give If you’d like to make a gift to support these efforts, contact our director of development, John Moring, at JMoring@westviewschool.org or 713-973-1900. To make a gift online, visit www.westviewschool.org/ support. SPRING 2015
The Stewart Center at The Westview School
A full-service psychology clinic serving families in the Houston community • • • • •
Educational Assessments Psychological Assessments Individual & Group Therapy Parent & Sibling Support Social Skills Groups
• Assessment & Treatment of Neurodevelopmental Disorders Including ASD, ADHD, ID & Learning Disabilities from Early Childhood to Adulthood
Not sure where to begin? Call 713-973-1842 or email info@stewartcenterhouston.org and our team of highly-experienced professionals can help. ASK ABOUT OUR FREE PARENT EDUCATION SERIES! Topics include talking to your children about their diabilities, cognitive development in children with ASD, transitioning to the workforce and more! The Stewart Center 1830 Kersten Drive | Houston, TX 77043 | 713.973.1842 www.westviewschool.org/stewart-center
Do you know someone who would be a good fit for The Westview School?
Please send them our way! The Westview School is the school for high-functioning children with autism spectrum disorder ages 2 through 15 years. Students are high functioning and often excel in academic areas; however, they may struggle with social interaction and social communication skills. Students are academically capable, and a state-aligned curriculum is offered on every level. Instruction is modified as necessary to meet individual students’ needs. Classes are kept appropriately small, usually ranging from four to eight students, each with a teacher and full-time assistant. We are now enrolling in all levels for the 2015-2016 school year. If you would like more information about our program or would like to refer a potential family, please contact our director of admissions, Becky Mattis.
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Admissions Contact Becky Mattis Director of Admissions bmattis@westviewschool.org 713.973.1900 ext. 200
Schedule a Tour Melanie King Assistant to Head of School mking@westviewschool.org 713.973.1900 ext. 125 We invite professionals, potential parents and all members of the community to visit the school to learn more about our program. Tours are scheduled Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to noon except on school holidays.
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1900 Kersten Drive Houston, TX 77043
Now Enrolling Cur rent and For mer Students for
Summer programs at The Westview School are unique and specially tailored to meet the needs of children on the autism spectrum. With specially-trained staff who are experienced at maintaining the delicate balance between productivity and fun, these programs are unmatched in the Houston area and are open to all families who are enrolled for the upcoming or prior school year. For more information, please contact our summer camp coordinator, Trey Clark, at 713973-1900 or by email at tclark@westviewschool.org.