January Newsletter

• Upcoming Dates and Reminders - January
• NEW! BMS Counseling LinkTree
• In January we are celebrating: National Mentoring Month
• Nashoba Valley Technical School
• Private School Information
• Community Resources
• Articles, Webinars, and Resources for Students/Caregivers
• Social Media Awareness
• PowerSchool
• Requesting Parent/Team Meetings

In addition to our monthly Counseling Department Newsletters, the BMS Counseling Department will be sharing important information and resources through our NEW LinkTree Account.

SUBSCRIBE TODAY

National Mentoring Month is celebrated in January to raise awareness about the power and impact of mentors and mentoring. Mentoring others allow people to achieve to their full potential and achieve success in all areas of their lives.

Reasons Why Mentorship Is Important for the Mentee AND Mentor:

• Mentors support growth
• Mentors serve as a source of experience, knowledge, and wisdom
• Mentors can help set goals and help for accountability
• Mentors offer encouragement
• Mentors help make connections and strengthen your support network
• Mentors are willing to listen, give constructive feedback and be a trusted ally
• Being a mentor boosts interpersonal skills
• Being a mentor strengthens your own knowledge
  
• Being a mentor establishes leadership skills
  
• Being a mentor serves as a learning opportunity
  
• Being a mentor can help you gain new perspectives and allow for self-reflection
  
• Being a mentor builds confidence and provides fulfillment

Here are some ideas about how to get involved this month and throughout the year:

• Become a Mentor: share your knowledge, skills, and support with someone else.
• Share Your Mentoring Stories: share your experiences with others regarding an amazing mentor that your had or your impact mentoring someone else. Inspire others to mentor and seek out mentors.
• Educate Yourself: learn about the impact of mentoring on personal development, education, and success.
• Recognize Outstanding Mentors: acknowledge and celebrate outstanding mentors in your life.

#MentoringMonth

#BeAMentor

#MentorshipMatters

#MentorshipGoals

#MentoringImpact

Using these hashtags can help you connect with others who are passionate about mentoring and raise awareness about the positive influence of mentorship in all areas of life.

Interviews will take place at Blanchard on January 23, 2024.

Mrs. McCoy will be meeting with all the students applying to Nashoba Tech to prepare them for their interviews and answer any questions. For those that are interested, below is the interview prep worksheet.

Click Here for more information on Admission Criteria and Process.

***IMPORTANT***

At this point in the year, all students applying to Private and/or Technical schools should have notified their teachers and their school counselor regarding their applications. Mrs. McCoy, the 8th Grade School Counselor, and your child's Team Teacher(s) should have received all formal recommendations and transcript requests from the private schools to which students are applying.

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

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.

Westford | Mental Health Services

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.

1/16– 7 pm-8 pm EST - Support Group for Middle/HS parents - Signup/Join link HERE

1/23 – 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.

The New Year is a great way to "start fresh". It is a great time to reflect on your year, think about what you want to achieve, and set goals that are important to you! However, research suggests that approximately half of all Americans make New Year’s resolutions yet only 8% actually achieve them. This doesn't have to be you! Here are some ways to make and KEEP those New Year's Resolutions:

1. Start with small realistic resolutions - don’t let your ambition lead you to unattainable levels. Giving yourself the ability to meet your goal in small steps can help you avoid discouragement along the way.
2. Keep the resolution list short - don't get overwhelmed trying to accomplish everything all at once.
3. Track your progress - whether on paper or using technology, hold yourself accountable and give yourself a concrete way to see the small changes.
4. Be patient - change isn't immediate and doesn't happen overnight, it takes time and commitment to see change
5. Pick yourself up if you slip up - remember failure is our best learning experience. Resiliency is so important. Don't use your mistake as a reason for giving up.

Here is some more ideas to make, stick to, and achieve your resolutions:

A Psychologist's Secrets To Making New Year's Resolutions Stick

50 Realistic New Year’s Resolutions for Teens

35 New Year's Resolutions for Kids and Families

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

January - PreRecorded

Topic - Parenting Your Child who has Self Harming Behaviors

LIVE LINK HERE

UPCOMING bryt FAMILY ENGAGEMENT WEBINARS

February: Everything You Ever Wanted to Ask About Crisis Services

March: The "Well Sibling" Syndrome: Supporting your child when their sibling has significant mental health challenges

April: Parenting a Child who is using Recreational Substances

May: Parenting in the Age of Technology

We often hear about or see the negative effects of technology and social media use for tweens and teens. However, if technology use is monitored, skills are taught, and we have ongoing conversations with our children, it is possible to harness the benefits of Technology and Social Media use. It is important to take a balanced approach to technology and social media by taking advantage of the positives and implementing strategies to avoid the detrimental effects.

Some benefits of technology and social media include:

• Access to mental health resources and apps
• Positive inspiration
• Connection to others

What Are the Positives of Social Media for Teens?

Surprising Ways Your Teen Benefits From Social Media

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

December 2023

October/November 2023

September 2023

2022-2023 Newsletters