April Newsletter

• April Dates and Reminders
• BMS Counseling LinkTree - Subscribe
• March is Middle Level Education Month
• Mental Health & Community Resources
• Flowers to Empower
• Digital Wellness
• PowerSchool
• Requesting Parent/Team Meetings
• April Reminders
• BMS Counseling Department

The middle school years (ages 10–15) are a critical period of early adolescence marked by major biological, cognitive, and social-emotional development. During this time, the brain develops rapidly—second only to infancy—especially in areas related to decision-making, impulse control, and emotional regulation. These years shape lifelong learning habits, behaviors, and attitudes, making them an important time for exploration, self-discovery, and future planning. Research shows that when education is designed to meet the unique developmental needs of young adolescents, students are more likely to experience greater well-being, succeed in high school, and achieve post-secondary success. Therefore, effective middle schools play a vital role in supporting both individual growth and broader societal success.

Explore the Middle School Model

Flowers to Empower is accepting new members for our 2026 growing season. Flowers to Empower is a Westford-based nonprofit open to girls in grades 5 through 12. Our program teaches leadership, philanthropy, and business skills through a cut flower business. Our girls, also known as Farmhers, grow, harvest and sell their flowers each summer. The proceeds fund outdoor adventures and are donated to charities such as the Westford Food Pantry. In 2025, our farmhers sold $7,400 of flowers!

The ideal Farmher enjoys being outside, is curious about nature, is willing to take risks for the sake of learning, and can benefit from building friendships across grade levels. We find our program is especially helpful during students' major transitions: from 5th grade into Middle School and again from 8th grade to WA. I smile when I hear younger students chatting with older students, seeking advice about classes, sports, and clubs. I've also seen the older students act as a buddy or mentor for younger flower farmers at school events.

More importantly, our organization aims to support mental well-being through time outdoors, time away from screens, and building real friendships. In our year-end survey, Farmhers reflected on becoming more confident talking to adults, more comfortable speaking up at school, and a general sense of happiness from being with our group.

Our Farmhers will host Zoom info sessions on Monday, April 6, and Wednesday, April 8. Details are on our website or in the QR code on the flyer.

Click here for more information.

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.

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.

Located in Acton, MA. We are a family-focused practice providing evidence-based therapy for children, teens, and parents. At Rise and Shine, our mission is to empower individual and family systems with skills that allow them to RISE from ambivalence, isolation, and distress to a place where they SHINE and grow in relationships, cognitions, and wellness; living with purpose.

This fall, we are excited to share these offerings:

Child and Family Therapy Sessions

• Afternoon Availability
• While we are out of network with insurances, we do offer a deep sliding scale and provide superbills that insurances often reimburse up to 60% of the costs.

Teen and Parent Skill Groups

• Thursday lunch hour (virtual), SPACE Group – starts Oct. 9
• Parent only group - evidence-based strategies to decrease anxiety accommodations, also effective for parents of children with ARFID
• Friday lunch hour (in person), Parent Support Group - starts Oct. 3rd
• This group is designed for Parents of Neurodivergent Children looking for Skills, Connection, and Resources. Ideal for parents struggling with PDA, Autism, Sensory Processing Disorder, and ADHD.

Request for Service Referral Form

(978)219-4292

info@riseandshinefamilytherapy.net

Upcoming Cartwheel Webinars

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

• May 12, 2026 (7-8pm ET): Learning How to Recognize and Treat Youth with OCD and Related Disorders

The parent support group, Westford Supportive Parent Solutions, is meeting the 3rd Tuesday of every month 6:30pm – 8:00pm, beginning September 16th. The group will be held at the Roudenbush Community Center, 3rd floor Recreation Department. The attached flyer has additional details.

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

April 7, 2026: Parenting Tips for Balancing Free Time & Structured Time At Home

Need additional support? Check out our Family Support Resources

6 Ways to ‘Spring Clean’ Your Mind for Better Mental Health

What Is Bloomscrolling? A Healthier Alternative to Doomscrolling

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.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Jill Attardo at jattardo@westfordk12.us or 978-692-5582 x 6172.

Lisa Searl- 6th Grade School Counselor

Anna Kovar - 7th Grade School Counselor

Paige Leone - 8th Grade School Counselor

Emma Goodreau - 6-8 School Adjustment Counselor

Jill Attardo - 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

September 2025

October 2025

November 2025

December 2025