OMS School Counseling Newsletter
May 2026
School Counseling Team
A message from the school counselors
Dear families and caregivers,
As we reflect on the month of April, our counseling team has been focused on important planning and student support efforts. A major area of work has been the development of learning communities for the upcoming school year. This process is guided by our commitment to ensuring all students are placed in environments where they can learn to the best of their abilities, with careful consideration given to academic, social, and emotional factors.
We also want to recognize the positive effort students demonstrated during MCAS testing. They did an excellent job being present, focused, and prepared throughout the testing period.
Attendance continues to be a key factor in student success. As we move closer to the end of the school year, we encourage all students to attend school consistently and arrive on time so they are ready to engage fully in their learning each day.
Additionally, our TRAILS groups, which provide support for students experiencing symptoms of anxiety, came to a close in April. We are proud of the growth students have shown and remain committed to supporting their social and emotional well-being.
Looking ahead to May, we are excited to begin welcoming our incoming sixth-grade students and will be working to support a smooth and positive transition into our school community.
The OMS Counselors
Cartwheel Care Parent Webinar
How can we use curiosity to tune into how our kids are doing and help them thrive in a modern culture focused on achievement?
As parents and caregivers, it can be easy to get sucked into thinking that our kids need to be striving and pursuing excellence every step of the way. How can we remind ourselves and our children that success is not linear, and that learning how to deal with failure is just as (or more) important for the long-term health and well-being of our kids? Whether in sports, academics, extracurricular, or social settings - how can we show up for our kids in a way that reminds them of their worth, encourages them to trust themselves, and builds emotional resilience?
To watch this recorded webinar click here.
Growing up is difficult, and can result in a barrage of overwhelming thoughts and emotions in kids and teens. Self-harm is a way that they may try to cope with strong feelings they’re experiencing—but it’s also a sign of serious distress, may point to other mental health concerns, and could have lasting impacts.
Audience Questions
Dr. Michael Hollander shares signs and symptoms that there may be self-harm occurring in a child, offers methods to teach loved ones better coping mechanisms, provides insight into when it may be time to seek professional help, and answers questions about self-harm in children and adolescents.
- Can you provide a basic overview of self-harm in young people?
- What are the typical signs of non-suicidal self-injury in young people?
- If an educator or other individual notices signs of self-harm in a young person, should they ask if they have the intention of taking their own life?
- Why does self-injury “work” as a coping mechanism?
- How can parents or caregivers monitor self-harm behavior in their children without causing issues, such as mistrust?
- Which disorders are most commonly associated with self-harming behaviors?
- Do some individuals engage in self-harm as a way to gain attention or be taken seriously, such as in cases of emotional neglect?
- Is substance use (i.e., alcohol and drug use) considered self-harm?
- How do you approach a young person who is engaging in self-injury in a way that will be productive?
- Why is validation important?
- Is there a connection between validation and building trust with young people?
- Do you have any advice for parents, educators, or providers who are trying to get closed-off young people to engage with them?
- What are the most effective treatments for addressing self-harm in young people?
- What does dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) for self-harm look like?
- What strategies do you suggest for providers who establish with their patients that self-harm is off the table? Are there substitute behaviors that you recommend incorporating into treatment?
- At what age do young people typically begin engaging in self-harm?
- As a provider, if a patient discloses that they are engaging in self-injury and they are a minor, do you recommend disclosing this information to parents and caregivers?
- Are there differences in self-harming behavior relating to gender or race?
- What information and recommendations do you give parents or caregivers whose child is engaging in self-harm?
- If an individual in a child or teen’s friend group is engaging in self-harm, does that increase the likelihood that others in that group will engage in that behavior?
- Can you speak more to what is and is not considered self-harming behavior?
- Can you speak to the importance of young people being able to identify and label emotions? How can we help young people enhance these skills?
- At a time when mental health services are difficult to access, how can parents/caregivers support their children while waiting for treatment to be available?
- Do you have any suggestions of books or resources for adults looking to learn more about validation?
- If self-injury is not addressed, does it worsen over time?
- Do you have advice for when parents do not acknowledge self-harming behavior in their child? How can educators support these students at school?
- Is there a connection between ADHD and self-harm?
- Aside from being empathetic, how should parents or caregivers respond to self-harming behavior in their child?
The information discussed is intended to be educational and should not be used as a substitute for guidance provided by your health care provider. Please consult with your treatment team before making any changes to your care plan.
Massachusetts Partnerships for Youth (MPY) is pleased to announce its new MPY Parenting Solutions Library. The MPY Parenting Solutions Library is offered at no charge, in partnership with Peace At Home Parenting Solutions, a non-profit located in Mansfield, Connecticut. Peace At Home Parenting Solutions is a dynamic hub of trusted knowledge and compassionate support that inspires parents to create positive change for their children, their families and themselves. Through this new partnership, MPY is pleased to offer proven resources to help students’ families thrive.
Peace At Home Parenting Solutions specializes in empowering parents with evidence-based strategies to foster nurturing connections that safeguard their children's mental well-being. The trainings are presented by experts with advanced degrees and the trainings focus on child and adolescent development, including difficulties in school, mental health challenges, neurodiversity, LGBTQ+ identity formation, racism, and grief. These trainings present easy-to-use strategies for long-lasting change
Community Resources
Lifeline Internet:
Standard Lifeline Benefit - Phone, internet, or bundled service monthly discount up to $9.25 for eligible subscribers.
Please see more information here:
https://getinternet.gov/apply?id=nv_home
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ABCD Affordable Internet Resource:
The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is a U.S. government program that helps many individuals and families pay for broadband service and internet-connected devices like a laptop or tablet.
If your household is eligible, you could receive:
Up to $30/month discount for internet service
Up to $75/month for households on qualifying Tribal lands; and
A one-time discount of up to $100 for a laptop, tablet, or desktop computer,(with a co-payment of more than $10 but less than $50)
A low cost service plan that may be fully covered through the ACP.
You’re eligible if one member of the household:
Has an income that is at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines or participates in certain government assistance programs;
If you or your child or dependent participate in certain government assistance programs such as SNAP, Medicaid, WIC, or other programs
If you or anyone in your household already receives a Lifeline benefit
Please see more information here:
https://bostonabcd.org/service/affordableconnectivity/
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T Mobile Project 10 Million:
K-12 student could be eligible for project 10million which offers internet service for low income
Eligibility: qualify for Project 10Million, you’ll need to provide proof of enrollment in ONE of the following programs dated within one year of participation:
National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP/EBT)
Community Eligibility Provision (CEP)
Medicaid
Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR)
Please see more information here:
https://www.t-mobile.com/brand/project-10-millionAPS Family Support Request
The District invites you to complete the APS Family Support Request Form. It is designed to give families an avenue to request support and helps the District and schools understand the needs and concerns of families in order to provide the most effective support and resources. Once you complete this form we will share your responses with the family engagement department and/or school social workers or counselors to support your child(ren)/ family.
Youth, Media, and Well-Being Research LAb in Wellesley is hosting a free virtual afterschool club for middle school girls about designing healthier social media experiences, hosted by researchers from the Youth, Media & Wellbeing Research Lab and Wellesley College students. The club meetings are drop-in sessions (students can come for just one meeting or attend the entire series!) with our first session on March 14. Any middle school girl is encouraged to apply on a first-come, first-serve basis. We are especially interested in reaching under-resourced girls in the Metrowest area. Interested students can apply using this link (https://bit.ly/DigitalWellbeingClub) up until the day of the club sessions.
Financial assistance for youth sports. (DK4) is committed to helping kids thrive by providing athletic opportunities for children of all ages, skill levels, and diverse backgrounds. We believe that sports can harness the power in kids by building character and confidence, teaching perseverance and teamwork, which ultimately fosters the development of skills needed for responsible citizenship
Financial assistance for Arlington residents living with cancer
Parent Support through PPAL (Parent/Professional Advocacy League) They offer workshops on a range of topics from navigating your child's IEP, to active parenting. The also have a series in Spanish.
Winter Brochures
Arlington Recreation Department
The Arlington Rainbow Commission is hosting Arlington's first ever Queer Market on Sunday, May 31st from 12:00pm - 4:00pm in Arlington Town Hall. They are so excited to have this opportunity to center queer-owned businesses, artists, makers, food vendors, etc and showcase what this beautiful community has to offer the world.
Mental Health and Parent Supports
APS does not endorse any of these practices specifically and we are sharing things as resources for Arlington families.
Digital Media Addiction Resources
Association for Autism and Neurodiversity (AANE) - has immediate openings for Parent Coaching. Click Here for the link to AANE Parent Coaching.
The Concord Center is excited to announce that they are now running an Accelerated Outpatient Program (AOP) for adolescents with moderate to severe anxiety disorders and/or obsessive compulsive disorders. For more information, please use this link.
McLean Hospital Child and Adolescent Outpatient Supports. Their Group and Bridge services are insurance based, while their Anxiety Mastery Program and DBT Program are hybrid insurance and fee for service
Looking for child psychiatric services? This practice is new in Lexington and accepting new patients. They are out of network for most insurance carriers. ReThink Minds
Ottoson School Counseling- many great resources are linked here, including previous newsletters.
Massachusetts Launched a new Community Behavioral Health Centers (CBHCs) to serve as an entry point for timely, high-quality and evidence-based treatment for mental health conditions and substance use disorders, including routine appointments, urgent visits, and 24/7 community-based crisis intervention as an alternative to hospital emergency departments. CBHCs receive enhanced state funding through alternative payment models to support flexible, person-centered treatment.
Community Supports (Food, Mental Health, Housing, etc.)
Greater Massachusetts Special Needs Events
Services are available to all Arlington Public Schools students and families.
Services are virtual and include short-term individual and group therapy, parent/caregiver
consultation. Following an initial session, additional services may include medication evaluation
and prescription, and longer-term outpatient referral support.
Referrals to Cartwheel Care go through your student’s school counselor
Parent Support Groups are offered through Child Therapy Boston.
Their therapists understand the unique position that parents are in. Parenting kids with anxiety, dysregulation, ADHD, Mood Disorders, and challenges with school or peer relationships can be hard. Traditional advice, books, and parenting “methods” don’t always apply to the unique situations you might find yourselves in.