May 2026 Newsletter
WA Counseling Department
- Students should be members of the AP 2026 Google Classroom to find seating charts for each exam. The join code is: cw2bript
- Students should arrive for morning exams by 7:30 AM and 11:30 AM for afternoon exams.
- Any student taking a fully digital or hybrid test must bring a fully charged Chromebook and their CollegeBoard login on a sticky note.
- All students should bring pens, pencils and an approved calculator (if needed).
- Food/drink are not permitted to be consumed in the testing room, but students may bring a small snack/drink for the break.
- Cell phones, smartwatches, and smart glasses are not permitted during the exam at any time, including at break. Any student observed with a cell phone or other electronic device will be reported to CollegeBoard and scores may be cancelled.
- For any after-school activities (athletics, capstone, work, clubs, etc), please plan accordingly for both AM and PM AP Exams. All students must remain until all exams have been submitted - students cannot be dismissed early per the College Board exam policy.
Please review the AP Exam Schedule here
May is Mental Health Awareness Month—a national effort to highlight the importance of mental well-being and reduce the stigma surrounding mental health conditions. It’s a time to foster understanding, encourage open conversations, and remind ourselves that seeking help is a sign of strength.
Mental health is physical health. Whether it’s finding ways to be active, connecting with your community, or remembering to drink water, small wins matter. What does a good day look like to you? Share on this google form anonymously! Follow us on instagram @WA_Counseling to see what people think!
MANDATORY DATES:
For seniors participating in Capstone: The specific date, time and location of your Presentation is now posted on the Capstone website on the left tab entitled "Presentation & Exhibition Table Assignments." While the Presentations are for students only, the community is invited to our Exhibition on June 2.
May 21 (Thursday) and May 22 (Friday)- ALL DAY- Capstone Presentations
June 2 (Tuesday) - Capstone Exhibition 9:30 am - 12:00 pm
Capstone runs from April 13 through May 20
Please remember to update your college admissions decisions in SCOIR (accept, deny, defer, waitlist). Once you make a final decision on where you will be attending - please mark as "enrolling" in SCOIR, this lets your counselor know where to send your FINAL transcript to that college or university.
During Advisory on May 6, admissions officers from six area colleges will deliver a panel on the college admissions process. They will cover topics including how they review applications, early action versus early decision, and some tips on the application itself.
Here is the presentation from the April Advisory - College Essay Panel.
Attend a Portfolio Day: These are events where college reps give free critiques. There is often a large one in Boston at the Hynes Convention Center in the fall, but there are also virtual events in the spring. Register here for an upcoming virtual event on May 9th!
SAT
May 2, 2026 test date
Registration closed
June 6, 2026 test date
Deadline for registration 5/22/26 & late registration 5/26/2026
Register for SAT tests here
ACT
June 13, 2026 test date
Deadline for registration 5/8/26 & late registration 5/29/26
July 11, 2026 test date
Deadline for registration 6/5/26 & late registration 6/24/26
Register for ACT tests here
Free Practice SAT/ACT tests
Kaplan: https://www.kaptest.com/sat/free/sat-practice
CollegeBoard: https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/practice/practice-tests
Free ACT Workshop - May 17 from 6-8pm
During the March advisory, counselors shared information on SCOIR's career assessment Principles You and the MBTI (Myers-Briggs Type Indicator). Students are encouraged to take the career assessments in SCOIR to help them figure out which careers and related majors would fit them best.
The PrinciplesYou is a scientifically-validated character assessment. Students can only take PrinciplesYou once! The assessment can be finished in roughly 30-40 minutes, but you can spend as long as needed. Your progress will automatically save along the way, so you can return where you left off if needed.
Here is a link of the presentation!
Here are some other great career assessments that can help students identify their interests, skills and values:
College Affordable Webinar - Setting the Stage
It's never too early to plan! It's time to familiarize yourself and your family with financial aid terms, the different types of aid, and what you can do now to get ready.
Setting the Stage: Freshman & Sophomore Game Plan
Date & Time: Tuesday, May 12, 2026, 6:30 PM
Freshman Timeline
Please review the Class of 2029 Freshman Timeline for an overview of what to expect during freshman year.
College Affordable Webinar - Setting the Stage
It's never too early to plan! It's time to familiarize yourself and your family with financial aid terms, the different types of aid, and what you can do now to get ready.
Setting the Stage: Freshman & Sophomore Game Plan
Date & Time: Tuesday, May 12, 2026, 6:30 PM
Cartwheel Care
Westford Academy has partnered with Cartwheel Care for the 2025–2026 school year. Cartwheel offers telehealth mental health services for students and parents/caregivers. Here is the family interest form
Upcoming Cartwheel Webinars
May 12, 2026 (7-8pm ET): Learning How to Recognize and Treat Youth with OCD and Related Disorders
June 4, 2025 (12-1pm ET): Supporting Boys: Mental Health Strategies for Young Men
If you missed April's webinar, 5 Keys to Raising a Child with ADHD, here is a link to watch!
Cartwheel also offers a School Avoidance program to support children experiencing anxiety or stress about attending school (see English and Spanish handouts).
Services include teletherapy, family check-ins, and psychiatric care with licensed clinicians—no waitlists, no hassle. Learn more in the Cartwheel FAQ handout.
For questions, contact your student’s school counselor.
InStride Health
InStride Health offers specialized outpatient care for kids, teens, and young adults struggling with anxiety and OCD. Their evidence-based treatment combines CBT and ACT with a focus on exposure therapy, and families can typically begin care within 1–4 weeks. Each personalized care plan includes therapy, exposure coaching, parent and skills groups, and, if needed, medication management.
iCare - Free Program for Parents/Caregivers
A NEW and FREE program for caregivers looking for self-paced education and tips about navigating adolescent substance use. This program is funded by the Massachusetts Department of Public
Health, and can be completed on a computer/tablet or phone. Available in English, Spanish, and Portuguese!
iCare has four modules; Neurobiology of Substance Use, Industry Tactics and Media Literacy, Risk and Protective Factors and Effective Communication
Free Training - Collaborative Problem Solving
Here is a FREE caregiver training from Think:Kids, the organization that supports training and implementation of Collaborative Problem Solving (CPS). The Collaborative Problem Solving® approach is an innovative parenting approach backed by science and rigorous research done in homes, schools, and clinical programs across the world. It is proven to meet the needs of all families and help children of all ages, including those with social, emotional, and behavioral challenges. Here is a link for the informational flyer in Spanish.
Westford Parent Support Group
The parent support group, Westford Supportive Parent Solutions, is meeting the 3rd Tuesday of every month 6:30pm – 8:00pm. The group will be held at the Roudenbush Community Center, 3rd floor Recreation Department. The attached flyer has additional details.
Town of Westford Resources
Nicole Laviolette - Community Wellness Coordinator
NEW - Mobile Clinician Services
Westford has a no cost clinician to support residents on waitlists for mental health appointments.
If the intake determines that the Westford Mobile Clinician is the right fit for you, up to ten sessions will be offered. The number and frequency will be determined by the clinician.
Call for an intake screening:
Nicole Laviolette: 978-399-2503 or Alison Christopher: 978-399-2325
For more information : Mobile Clinician Description
MPY Parent Solutions
The Massachusetts Partnership for Youth (MPY) Parenting Solutions has created a list of proven resources to help students' families thrive. Parents can watch or just listen to experts who get right to the point solving big and small challenges. Each Library includes 10-minute videos and handouts.
Click HERE to access the videos and handouts in each library.
bryt Parent/Caregiver Speaker Series
Parents Supporting Parents: Family Learning Sessions held first Tuesday of the month from 7-8pm
Need additional support? Check out our Family Support Resources
No matter your age or income – community college is now free in Massachusetts if you have earned your high school diploma! The MassEducate and MassReconnect programs allow all Massachusetts residents who have not yet earned a bachelor's degree to attend a MA community college for free. No tuition. No fees.
For more information, please see HERE.
*There is a fee to enroll in a dual enrollment class as a WA student. Here is a link to learn about the dual enrollment program through WA.
Trades in Action Exploratory Day at Gould Construction Institute
Trades In Action: Exploratory Day is coming to Billerica! Explore the trades- Electrical, Carpentry, HVAC & more - while enjoying raffles and giveaways. Meet instructors, tour our facility, and discover how a career in the trades can be both rewarding and fun. Don’t miss this open house event on Thursday, May 7, 2026 from 10AM-1PM at GCI Billerica. Free admission with RSVP!
The Peterson School - Explore the Trades
Take this opportunity to learn what skills are needed to succeed in the trade program of your choice as well as gain insight into future career opportunities by joining us at 350 University Ave in Westwood, MA on May 2nd. Prospective students will have the opportunity to review the highlights of hands-on instruction, gaining valuable insight into the skills required to pursue a fulfilling career in their chosen trade.
Trades you can choose from:
Basic Electricity* Basic Plumbing* HVACR
Explore the Trades is complimentary.
Parent Information Sessions on the hour.
Here is the link to sign up!
COLLEGE AFFORDABLE
College Affordable, an organization dedicated to helping Westford families navigate the financial aid process with personalized support, has partnered with WA. For additional information on family registration and free monthly webinars, please visit the links below:
Underclassmen Road Map - Best for students in class of 2028 & 2029 - May 12
For those families that worked with College Affordable, there is a quick survey to complete if you have the time, College Affordable is looking for feedback for their services: College Affordable's annual survey
https://collegeaffordable.org/westfordacademy/
MEFA
Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority is a state run organization, committed to helping students and their families plan, save, and pay for college and reach financial goals
Families can view webinar dates and times and register HERE. Webinars will be recorded and posted online for families who are unable to attend a live event.
TUITION BREAK PROGRAM
NEBHE’s Tuition Break program, the New England Regional Student Program (RSP), provides significant tuition savings to residents of the six New England states when they enroll at out-of-state public colleges and universities within New England and pursue approved programs.
FAFSA 2026-2027 is now AVAILABLE!
The 2026–27 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form is now available to everyone. Click here for more information: https://studentaid.gov/announcements-events/fafsa-support
WA Counseling Department
Email: laurenclark@westfordk12.us
Website: https://www.westfordk12.us/wa/counseling-department
Location: 30 Patten Road, Westford, MA, USA
Phone: 978-692-5570