March 2026 Newsletter

• March Calendar at a Glance
• Important Dates Coming Up
• Course Registration Update
• Scholarships
• Dual Enrollment Info Session
• Class Updates
• Mental Health Resources
• College & Career Resources

Instant Admit Day MCC for Seniors - March 10 Long block

Career Connections Fair for Juniors - March 19 at 11:30-12:20

Lowell MCC Campus Tour for Seniors - April 2

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The scheduling process is a collaborative effort between students, families, teachers, and counselors. Here is the general timeline for the coming weeks:

• Review: Families and students should review the Program of Studies on the scheduling website to explore course descriptions and prerequisites.

• Scheduling Presentation: Counselors will meet with each grade level to explain the specific scheduling process and graduation requirements during advisory on February 11th.

• Teacher Recommendations: Current teachers will enter their recommendations for next year’s courses directly into PowerSchool.

• Student Selection: Students will complete the process by selecting their courses and finalizing their requests through the PowerSchool Student Portal during the window of March 2 (opens at 2:30pm)-March 10th (closes at 2:30pm). The override link will be available during that timeframe as well.

• Counselors will have drop in hours during long block March 5th, 6th & 9th.

Key Resources in the Program of Studies

The online guide includes several tools to assist in your planning, including:

• Graduation Requirements: A checklist to ensure you are on track for your 117.5 required credits.

• Course Composites: Full listings for every department.

• Scheduling & Time Management Worksheets: Blank templates to help you visualize your week and manage your time effectively.

• PowerSchool Guide: Instructions on how to navigate the portal for course requests.

If you’re a rising junior or senior planning to attend Dual Enrollment at Middlesex Community College (MCC) full-time next year, both students and parents/caregivers must attend this required information session.

Event Details
Date: Tuesday, April 14, 2026
Time: 9:15 AM
Location: WA Lecture Hall

Why Attend?
Learn about eligibility requirements, reduced tuition costs, available courses, and review the WA Dual Enrollment contract and expectations. Dual Enrollment allows students to earn transferable college and high school credits at the same time.

Reminder: Attendance is required for enrollment. If you have an emergency, contact the Counseling Department.

The Westford Academy Trustee and Community Scholarship applications will open on February 12, 2026. Each scholarship has its own criteria and application form. Only applications with a submitted timestamp from February 12 through March 9 at 2:30PM will be considered. This is a firm deadline with no exceptions or extensions. For a complete listing and instructions on how to apply, please go to the WA website, click “Counseling” and then click on “WA Trustee and Community Scholarships.” Here is the link.

When: Tuesday March 10, 2026
Time: 11:27-1:11 (long block)
Where: WA School Counseling Department - conference room

Attention Class of 2026! We are thrilled to announce that Middlesex Community College (MCC) is coming to our campus for an Instant Admission Day. Seniors get the chance to walk into the room with an application and walk out with an instant college admission decision.

Thanks to state programs like MassReconnect, community college is now free for eligible Massachusetts residents. This is an incredible opportunity to earn your associate degree or complete your first two years of a bachelor’s degree without taking on any student debt.

Students will get to meet one-on-one with an MCC admissions counselor at WA. Students will apply online and admission reps will review their transcript and application in real-time. Students will receive an admission decision immediately! Students can ask questions about programs, credit transfers to 4-year universities, and how to lock in their free tuition.

Please see your school counselor if you have any questions.

Calling all graduating seniors! We are heading to the Middlesex Community College Lowell Campus for a tour on Thursday, April 2nd. This is your chance to see where your next chapter could begin (and completely tuition-free!). We will leave Westford Academy at the beginning of the first block. Students will have the chance to explore the downtown Lowell campus, tour state-of-the-art labs and classrooms, and meet current students. Lunch/pizza will be provided! Students will return around 12:30.

Space on the bus is limited, so don't wait to sign up. To join us, please complete the registration form here: MCC Lowell Campus Tour Registration

The Senior Capstone provides seniors with the opportunity to apply what they've learned in school to the real world. Students may pursue an internship in a local business, community service, or complete a research project. The Capstone is the culmination of our School to Careers program, allowing students to delve into a career or research topic for the fourth quarter of senior year.

MANDATORY DATES:

April 9 (Thursday)- Capstone Orientation Meeting 12:30 pm

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 review the Class of 2026 Senior Timeline for an overview of what to expect during senior year.

When: Thursday, March 19 | 11:11 AM – 12:29 PM (Advisory)
Juniors will have 1st lunch (10:45–11:11)

Where: WA Library

Details: Connect with local businesses to discuss summer employment, career pathways, and future Senior Capstone placements. This is a great chance for students to practice networking in a low-pressure environment with local pros!

Counselors will be offering small group meetings with students and parents/caregivers throughout the winter and spring. These 1-hour sessions, facilitated by your child's counselor, will provide a more intimate setting to address individual concerns and questions. Each counselor will offer small group sessions at 8:15am, 10:30am and 1:15pm on specific dates. You must choose from the dates made available by your student’s counselor!

We understand that busy schedules can sometimes limit your availability to attend a small group

meeting. To accommodate this, we have a video library featuring short, informative clips covering

everything related to the postsecondary journey.

Check out the Looking Ahead resource that shares important information about the college application process.

Sign up for Mrs. Birnkrant

Sign up for Mrs. Clark

Sign up for Mrs. DeMagistris

Sign up for Mr. Doherty

Sign up for Ms. Grossman

Sign up for Mrs. Hider

Sign up for Mrs. Lynch

Please review the Class of 2027 Junior Timeline for an overview of what to expect during junior year.

The Counseling Department hosted a Parent/Caregiver Presentation on January 28. Please check it out if you were unable to attend.

Sophomore Timeline

Please review the Class of 2028 Sophomore Timeline for an overview of what to expect during sophomore year.

Please review the Class of 2029 Freshman Timeline for an overview of what to expect during freshman year.

WA School Counseling Website

Big Picture Presentation

Westford Academy has partnered with Cartwheel Care for the 2025–2026 school year. Cartwheel offers telehealth mental health services for students and parents/caregivers. Learn more in the Cartwheel FAQ handout.

Upcoming Cartwheel Webinars

• March 11, 2026 (12–1pm ET): Navigating the Tough Talks: Strategies for Talking to Teens about Substance Use

• April 15, 2026 (12–1pm ET): 5 Keys to Parenting a Child with ADHD

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.

For questions, contact your student’s school counselor.

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

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.

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.

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, upt to ten sessions will be offered. The number and frequency will be determined by the clinician. in person and virtual visits are available.

Call for an intake screening:

Nicole Laviolette: 978-399-2503 or Alison Christopher: 978-399-2325

For more information : Mobile Clinician Description

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.

Parents Supporting Parents: Family Learning Sessions held first Tuesday of the month from 7-8pm

Need additional support? Check out our Family Support Resources

Learn how to strengthen communication with your teen through active listening. This Newport Academy article shares five practical tips to help parents/caregivers build trust, empathy, and stronger connections.

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.

SAT

March 14, 2026 test date

Late registration 3/3/2026

May 2, 2026 test date

Deadline for registration 4/17/26 & late registration 4/21/26

Register for SAT tests here

ACT

April 11, 2026 test date

Deadline for registration 3/6/26 & late registration 3/24/26

June 13, 2026 test date

Deadline for registration 5/8/26 & late registration 5/29/26

Register for ACT tests here

Free Practice SAT/ACT tests

Summit Educational Group: http://www.mytutor.com/students/practice-tests/ma

Kaplan: https://www.kaptest.com/sat/free/sat-practice

Boston National College Fair - Representatives from more than 275 colleges and universities will participate Monday April 27 and Tuesday April 28. Students can register here.

NACAC College Fair Schedule - virtual options too!

Billerica Memorial HS College Fair - March 13 at 6:00pm

Littleton High School - March 16 at 6:00-7:30 pm

Bishop Guertin High School, Nashua NH - March 26 at 6:30 pm - List of colleges attending here

Merrimack College, North Andover MA - May 3 at 6:00 pm - List of colleges attending here

Post-Secondary Fair for Students who Learn Differently happening March 26. More information can be found here.

https://www.collegetransitions.com/dataverse/learning-support-services

https://www.concordspedpac.org/Colleges-Disabilities.html

Also check out our website for more resources! https://www.westfordk12.us/wa/guidance/pages/information-students-disabilities

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:

March 13 - Q&A: Getting started for Juniors

https://collegeaffordable.org/westfordacademy/

https://collegeaffordable.org/webinar-schedule/

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.

March 4 @ 12:30: What to Know About Financial Aid Appeals 2026

March 4 @ 6:30 pm: Applying for Private College Scholarships 2026

March 31 @ 6:30 pm: Q&A with College Admissions Experts

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.

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

Follow us on Instagram for important updates @wa_counseling

Email: laurenclark@westfordk12.us
Website: https://www.westfordk12.us/wa/counseling-department
Location: 30 Patten Road, Westford, MA, USA
Phone: 978-692-5570