December Newsletter

• Upcoming Dates and Reminders - December
• In December we are celebrating:
• Human Rights Day
• Nashoba Valley Technical School
• Private School Information
• Community Resources
• Articles, Webinars, and Resources for Students/Caregivers
• Social Media Awareness
• PowerSchool
• Requesting Parent/Team Meetings

Human Rights Day - December 10th

Every year on December 10, the world celebrates Human Rights Day, the very day when, in 1948, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).

Articles of human rights: https://commit.standup4humanrights.org/en/index.php

Campaigns for Human Rights: https://www.standup4humanrights.org/en/index.html

To learn more about the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, see here: https://www.ohchr.org/en/what-are-human-rights

Students who are applying to NVTHS should be in communication with Mrs. McCoy as early in the year as possible. The application deadline is 1/15/2024.

For more information on Nashoba Tech's programs or admissions, please contact Nashoba Tech directly:

admissions@nashobatech.net

It is very important that any student interested in applying to a private or technical high school inform Mrs. McCoy by December 1.

Mrs. McCoy will be having individual meetings with students applying to private or technical schools to discuss the application process and answer any questions.

***IMPORTANT***

All students applying should notify their teachers and their school counselor by December 1st for January/February deadlines and one month in advance for any deadlines before then. All formal recommendation and transcript requests from the schools to which students are applying should be received by DECEMBER 1st for January/February deadlines and one month in advance for any deadlines before then.

Please see the document below for further information on applying to a Private or Technical school.

THE SALVATION ARMY ANGEL TREE APPLICATION FOR CHRISTMAS ASSISTANCE

Christmas assistance for families in need. The Salvation Army Angel Tree program helps provide Christmas gifts for hundreds of thousands of children around the country each year.

For more information and to start an application, Click Here.

This is time sensitive and they do have limited capacity.

We realize that the holiday season can be hard for many. For residents in Westford who are in need of financial assistance, the St Vincent de Paul organization provides numerous services.

All are welcome. You do not need to be a parishioner of Blessed Trinity Parish or Catholic to receive the services listed below. Please know that all communication with our members is treated confidentially.

Website: https://www.blessedtrinitycatholic.org/svdp

Direct Phone Line: (978) 320-4214

Email: email here

The Westford Food Pantry provides services for individuals and families in the local community and surrounding towns with emergency, short and long-term needs for quality fresh and dry foods along with personal care and household items.

Click Here for more information.

Nicole Laviolette - Community Wellness Coordinator

The Community Wellness Coordinator provides community outreach and education to the Westford community on availability of programming and services to support individual and family well-being. The Coordinator will increase overall awareness of community supports by sharing wellness information and resources, with a focus on mental health and substance use disorder with Town departments, schools and community groups.

Alison Christopher, LICSW - Town Social Worker

Contact Information : 978-399-2325 ~ achristopher@westfordma.gov

The social worker can provide one on one phone or in person visits for consultation and assessment of needs including: financial concerns, food insecurity, housing, medical care planning, mental health, domestic violence, disability related issues, and family issues. She can provide support, referrals, advocacy and direct connections with appropriate resources. Provides assistance in applying for a wide range of financial benefit programs and case management services.

December 6 at 7:00 p.m. ET

(Registration open!)

Webinar on Five Keys to Parenting Children with ADHD -- CLICK HERE.

12/19 – 7 pm-8 pm EST - Support Group for Middle/HS parents - Signup/Join link HERE

12/26 – 7 pm-8 pm EST - Support Group for BIPOC(Black, Indigenous, (and) People of Color) parents - Signup/Join link HERE

*These meetings are a safe space for parents to process their own emotions as they support their child's mental wellness and where you can share & receive support from others who may be going through similar experiences.

Although the Holidays can be an exciting time with social gatherings, festive activities, feasts, extra time with family, and lots of energy, it can also be a time of stress for kids and families. This can be particularly true for tweens and teens, who already are in an emotionally charged stage. While they may count the days until winter break, many find that holiday fervor brings on seasonal stress.

Here are some resources that can be helpful:

Surviving and Thriving During the Holidays

How to Help Your Teen Manage Holiday Stress

Helping Teens Cope with Holiday Stress

7 ways to prevent holiday stress — for your children

bryt Family Engagement Team

Learn from community members with expertise in areas most requested by parents.

Parents Learning with Parents (PLP)

FREE Virtual Speaker Series for ALL CAREGIVERS of students in K-12

IMPORTANT THINGS TO KNOW:

FREE ~ VIRTUAL ~ OPEN TO ALL

Parents/caregivers are not on camera -- only the speaker is

Parents/caregivers have the option of typing questions into chat

DECEMBER 5th- 7-8 pm EST/4-5 pm PST

December Topic: Maximizing Joy in Your Family Life

CLICK HERE TO WATCH

Tips and Information for Mental Wellness and Technology Use over the Holiday Season

9 Tips to Navigate Social Media During the Holidays

How to Manage Social Media Use During the Holidays

How Plugged-In Families Can Have a Device-Free(ish) Holiday

Not sure how to access your student's schedule and/or Progress Report? Please see below:

1. Use your device (Go to: https://westford.powerschool.com/public).
2. Download the 'PowerSchool Mobile' app on your phone - see image on the right for how to access your account. Once logged on, click on the "My Schedule" icon in the left nav and you'll see your student's schedule.

Please use the link below to email the School Counseling Department for assistance in setting up a 20 minute meeting with your child's core teachers (Math, Science, Social Studies and Language Arts, School Counselor). Meetings take place on certain days of the week based on teacher planning time, the grade and cycle day of the week. If you would like any additional Blanchard teacher or staff member to attend, please note that in the appropriate field as well. Thank you.

Click this LINK to request a 20 minute parent/team meeting. We will respond to your request very soon.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Jennifer Schaffer at 978-692-5582 x 6172 or at jschaffer@westfordk12.us

Paige Leone - 6th Grade School Counselor

Lisa Searl - 7th Grade School Counselor

Julie McCoy - 8th Grade School Counselor

Jodie Voutselas - 6-8 School Adjustment Counselor

Jen Schaffer - School Counseling Administrative Assistant

Website: https://sites.google.com/westfordk12.us/bmsguidance/school-counseling-home
Location: 14 West Street, Westford, MA 01886
Phone: (978) 692-5582

October/November 2023

September 2023

2022-2023 Newsletters