OMS School Counseling Newsletter
February 2025
School Counseling Team
Welcome to Our February Newsletter!
In this edition, we’ve gathered some important mental health resources and upcoming webinars for parents. We’re excited to share new community programs, including summer camps and other seasonal opportunities for your child.
We’ve also kicked off the second and final round of our Executive Function Groups, and we’re beginning small group sessions specifically designed to address symptoms of anxiety and depression. If you believe your child could benefit, please reach out to their counselor for more details and to see if they’re a good fit for these programs.
Looking ahead, we’re excited to celebrate Random Acts of Kindness Day on February 14th! The OMS counselors will be leading a kindness activity in the lobby, and additional activities will be shared through the counselors' Google Classroom.
At OMS, kindness is a value we hope to see in all our students as they Engage, Empower, and Excel. Let's continue to foster a compassionate and supportive community together.
Thank you for your ongoing partnership!
The OMS Counseling Team
SPACE Parent Workshop: Is your child struggling with anxiety?
The Arlington Public Schools Counseling Department is excited to offer a parent/caregiver workshop on the SPACE (Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions) treatment model. SPACE is designed for families who find themselves over-accommodating their child’s anxiety.
Do you have a child struggling with anxiety?
Do you find yourself modifying daily routines, avoiding certain places or activities, or doing things for your child to prevent their distress? If yes, this workshop might be a great fit for you.
Click the link to learn more and see if SPACE could support your family!
AYCC Parent/Caregiver Group
AYCC Parent/Caregiver Group - AYCC is offering a parent/caregiver support group with clinician Amy Hoff, MA, starting in February. The group will meet on Monday evenings from 6-7:15pm. A flyer is linked HERE (more information below), click LINK to register.
Our purpose: This small therapeutic group will meet weekly to share and cultivate connections. We will build practical skills that will increase confidence in our ability to empathize with our children, respond to behaviors, and solve problems with them collaboratively.
Our work: Sessions will include 10-15 minutes of interactive presentation about an area of common concern or a specific skill, followed by time to share and work through challenges and reflect on successes. Members are strongly encouraged to attend all meetings.
Details:
Mondays from 6:00 PM-7:15 PM
In person at the Arlington Youth Counseling Center (670R Mass. Ave. Arlington)
Beginning February 24, ending April 21. Parents and caregivers of kids ages 10-18.
Most insurance accepted; grant funding available. Light snacks and beverages provided
Cartwheel Webinars: Disordered Eating & Motivating Kids to do "Boring Stuff"
Wednesday, February 5th, 7-8pm ET / 6-7pm CT
How to Recognize Early Signs of Disordered Eating and What to Do
Content warning: Eating disorders can affect kids and teens across all genders, races, and household income levels, though some may be at higher risk. Join Cartwheel and Dr. Amy Egbert ahead of National Eating Disorder Awareness Week to explore the complex factors behind disordered eating and how to support a loved one when you think they may have an eating disorder. This webinar will cover early signs and symptoms, practical tips for fostering supportive, non-judgmental conversations, and how to explore treatment options when you think that a loved one may have an eating disorder. This virtual event is part of Cartwheel's free webinar series for parents, caregivers, and school staff. Please feel free to share this email broadly and access English, Spanish, and Portuguese flyers here. Tuesday, March 4th, 7-8pm ET / 6-7pm CT Motivating Kids to Do the “No Fun, Boring, and Tough” Stuff Do you want to help your student succeed in life but struggle with working together on tasks and goals? Many educators and parents feel frustrated and thwarted in their efforts to teach responsibility, motivation and persistence to students, especially those with ADHD or learning differences. Join Cartwheel and Dr. Sharon Saline for insight and tools on how to effectively motivate all kinds of students both at school and at home. Building upon a strength-based, collaborative approach, Dr. Saline will show you how to teach all-important executive functioning skills related to motivation and tools to increase buy-in and reduce conflict in home and at school. This virtual event is part of Cartwheel's free webinar series for parents, caregivers, and school staff. Please feel free to share this email broadly and
WEBINAR: What’s love got to do with it? Sexuality, Puberty, and Autism
WEBINAR: What’s love got to do with it? Sexuality, puberty, and Autism
Feb 6, 2025 | 7:30 PM | Register
Join Dr. Crehan to chat about love, sexuality, and changing bodies and autism. This can be a topic that elicits some giggles and some blushing but here’s your chance to not have to google your questions or concerns and to ask Dr. Crehan directly. She will give a brief overview of some important information about disability and sexuality to consider and will share some resources, but most importantly… bring your questions! Dr. Crehan is a licensed clinical psychologist and assistant professor at Tufts University and specializes in sexuality and relationships for neurodiverse populations.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Family Learning Sessions
First Tuesday of Month, 7-8pm ET (4-5pm PT)
Dates: 9/3, 10/1, 11/5, 12/3, 1/7, 2/4, 3/4, 4/1 & 5/6
All parents are invited to join anonymously via YouTube Live, or watch the recording afterwards. There is no cost to participate.
Bryt also has Parents Supporting Parents Conversationss
Middle/High School Parents
Third Tuesday of Month, 7-8pm ET (4-5pm PT)
Dates: 10/15, 11/19, 12/17, 1/21, 2/18, 3/18, 4/15 & 5/20
BIPOC Parents
Fourth Tuesday of Month, 7-8pm ET (4-5pm PT)
Dates: 10/22, 11/26, 1/28, 2/25, 3/25, 4/22 & 5/27
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
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.
The Harvard School of Dental Medicine - is happy to announce Give Kids a Smile Day 2025, an event offering free dental care to children ages 1-17. It will be held on Saturday, February 22nd, 2025 from 9 A.M. - 12 P.M.
HERE are flyers in English, Spanish, and Portuguese to send and help advertise the event. We hope to provide free checkups to as many children in the greater Boston community as we can!
To request an appointment, please fill out an online form at https://forms.gle/PD1mGPPJv4k8tFHN8
Information will go to our front desk staff, who will then call directly to make the appointment.
Appointments are made on a first-come, first-served basis. We will try to accommodate walk-ins per volunteer availability and time, but it is highly encouraged for parents to schedule an appointment early!
Translators for every language are available.
If you need additional information, or have any questions about what Give Kids a Smile Day is, please don’t hesitate to call or email us at any time at asda.at.harvard@gmail.com.
Full link to request an appointment: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfEmxUl_bcgFgux4ZbdRWXktnBx_LF-r-GPJI8BQRfAcsYiIg/viewform?usp=sf_link
Shorthand Information:
What: Free dental care to kids ages 1-17
When: Sat, February 22nd, 9AM-12PM
Where: Harvard Dental Center (188 Longwood Ave, Boston, MA 02115). Parking available at the school for scheduled appointments.
How do I sign up?
or Call (617) 432-1434
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.
Enrichment Opportunity
Dive In is a tuition-free academic program for high-achieving current 6th and 7th graders from low-income families. You can read more about us here.
They have an upcoming info sessions on February 20. The application is now open until March 15, 2025Summer Camp options:
Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University is the only vet school in New England and we offer the opportunity for middle school learners (as well as high school and college students) to explore veterinary medicine in a highly interactive and hands-on environment here on our North Grafton campus. The middle school program is designed and reserved for current 7th and 8th graders and available both during the April break and in late June.
Each middle school session is a week-long, in-person, full-day, commuter experience led by our faculty and students in our veterinary labs and classrooms - including our new state-of-the-art simulation lab - and on our farm. Students will learn and gain exposure to things like how to suture and palpate, be introduced to handling small and large animals, as well as learn basic animal CPR and ultrasound, AND even practice a variety of skills on our near life-like and animatronic simulation models; the same ones our students use!
Camp Kesem is a free overnight summer camp for children 6-18 who are impacts by a parent's cancer. More information about Camp Kesem can be found here.
There are a variety of summer camp options for students impacted by the death of a family member. Please see The Children's Room website for the options.
Winter Brochures
Arlington Recreation Department
Mental Health Resources
Mental Health and Parent Supports
APS does not endorse any of these practices specifically and we are sharing things as resources for Arlington families.
Clinic for Interactive Media and Internet Disorders (CIMAID)
Are you worried about your child or teen’s internet use?
If you think your child or teen’s online activities are causing problems with sleep, school, relationships, or other aspects of their physical, social, and mental health, we can help.
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. They also have monthly free parent workshops which can be found here. In addition the adolescent DBT group will be starting in March.
The McLean Anxiety Mastery Program (MAMP) has openings for kids (6-19) with primary anxiety and/or OCD to be seen in our intensive group-based outpatient program. We treat kids with a range of symptom severity, from those with mild symptoms, have never had treatment before, and can get momentum sooner, as well as those with more acute symptoms. If you know of any youth experiencing anxiety and/or OCD and think the program might be a fit, please have children's families submit applications found on our website:
https://www.mcleanhospital.org/treatment/mamp. Here is a link to the application for your reference: https://www.mcleanhospital.org/sites/default/files/2022-11/MAMP-Application-11112022.pdf.
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
iLearn Wellness Group - iLearn is a relatively new clinic offering partial hospitalization, half day psychiatric treatment (like IOP - coming in February!) and outpatient treatment services for adolescents in Newton. They accept many major insurances.
Advocates Crisis Team If you are wondering if you should call the mobile crisis team to assess your child. This slideshow may help you with the process.
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