SEAL (Social Emotional Academic Learning) is a trimester long Enrichment class that each School Counselor teaches to their assigned grade. Every student at BMS takes SEAL each year.
GRADE 6
In SEAL the theme for 6th grade is "Growth Mindset". Students explore this theme through a variety of units.
A major area of focus for the 6th graders is communication skills, response styles, and strategies for dealing with difficult emotions and conflict.
Click here for a more in-depth explanation of what your students are learning!
National Volunteer Month is dedicated to celebrating volunteers within our community. Volunteering is an essential service to support the well-being of our communities. There are many community events and programs that couldn't happen if it weren't for volunteers. Volunteering can make a difference in someone's life and sometimes creates a tidal wave of change! Volunteering provides an excellent opportunity to learn the importance of serving others and what "paying it forward" can do for ourselves, our community, and the people around us.
Things you can do this month:
- Thank a volunteer.
- Volunteer! You may find that it is a very rewarding experience. 😉
- Volunteer at an after-school program for younger students or animal shelter.
- Volunteer for town cleanup or work in a community garden (think Earth Day on 4/22!). 🌎
- Collect supplies for a food, clothing or book drive.
- Participate in a fundraising event such as 5k run.
- Use your skills, talents and abilities to help out with community projects or needs.
Are you experiencing the challenges of parenting a child who may be struggling with their mental health?
Please join us for one (or all) of our monthly Parent Support sessions
No registration required
National Mental Health Hotline
The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals in the United States.
Click Here for more information.
bryt Family Engagement Team
Parents Learning with Parents (PLP)
April 12th, 7pm
Parenting Kids and Teens on the Spectrum
Speakers: Denise Galford-Koeppel, LMHC PMC, CEIS
MS Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Ariel M. Goldberg, Parent
Link: https://youtu.be/lE_vNaSXJ2k
For Parents/Caregivers
How to Help Kids Process Tragic Events
How to Talk to Your Teenager About Anything
For Teens
Mental Health Apps
Stop, Breathe & Think - Stop, Breathe & Think is a free tool that is designed to help you learn how to be more mindful and compassionate using simple meditation. Research has shown that mediation can help many people better handle their daily stress and anxiety. You can check-in daily, track your progress, and feel more calm. Stop, Breathe & Think is free and available for both iOS and Android devices.
Smiling Mind - A free meditation app for all ages. Smiling Mind is a unique tool developed by psychologists and educators to help bring balance to your life. Good for: general well-being, stress, anxiety.
Happify - How you feel matters and Happify allows you to take control of your feelings and thoughts. Happify provides you with engaging activities and games. Happify provides you with data regarding how you are doing improving positive emotions. 86% of the people who use the app report improving their life after a two month period. Happify is available to download for free for iOS and Android devices. Happify Plus subscriptions start as low as $4.99 per month.
Calm Harm - Created for users age 13+. Calm Harm is a free award winning app that helps manage or resist the urge to self harm using the following coping skills and techniques: Comfort, Distract, Express Yourself, Release, and Random. There is also a breathing exercise to help you be mindful and stay in the moment, regulate difficult emotions, and reduce tension.
Not sure how to access your student's schedule and/or Progress Report? Please see below:
- Use your device (Go to: https://westford.powerschool.com/public).
- 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.
BMS Counseling Department
Julie McCoy - 7th Grade School Counselor
Paige Leone - 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
