June Newsletter
BMS Counseling Department
- June Dates and Reminders
- 8th Grade Completion Ceremony Information
- Blanchard Middle School Grade 5 Family Information Presentation
- BMS Counseling LinkTree - Subscribe
- June is LGBTQ+ Pride Month
- Mental Health & Community Resources
- Digital Wellness
- PowerSchool
- Requesting Parent/Team Meetings
- How to Help Teens Have a Happy and Healthy Summer
- BMS Counseling Department
June 2026 Dates and Reminders
8th Grade Completion Ceremony
On Monday, June 22, we will hold the 8th Grade Completion Ceremony from 9:00 to approximately 10:30 in the gymnasium. More details will be shared in the coming weeks.
Please see Mr. Ingano's Weekly Principal's Newsletter for up-to-date information.
Blanchard Middle School Grade 5 Family Information Presentation
June is LGBTQ+ Pride Month
Resources:
Fuel Up For Summer
Westford Mobile Clinician
Nashoba Tech - Junior Vikings - Summer Experience Camps
InStride Health
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.
Click Here to access InStride's free webinars!
Free Training - Collaborative Problem Solving
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.
Kiwi Recovery
Arbour Counseling Services - Adolescent Partial Hospitalization Program
Massachusetts Behavioral Health Helpline
Rise and Shine Family Therapy
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
Cartwheel Care Resources
My Amazing Summer Challenge
Inspired by The Amazing Generation, we want students across the country to have a fun and adventurous summer offline.
When kids are empowered to choose real life over screens, their mental health benefits.
Students will read The Amazing Generation—the new book from #1 New York Times bestselling authors Jonathan Haidt and Catherine Price—on their own over the summer, try something inspired by it, and share a short reflection in the fall. Every student who participates will get a certificate of recognition.
There is a free online toolkit if you register -- and the opportunity to get some free books.
Click HERE for more information or to sign up for the challenge.
Upcoming Cartwheel Webinars
June 4, 2026 | 12-1pm ET: Supporting Boys: Mental Health Strategies for Young Men
MPY Parent Solutions
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.
bryt Parent/Caregiver Speaker Series
Parents Supporting Parents: Family Learning Sessions held first Tuesday of the month from 7-8pm
Need additional support? Check out our Family Support Resources
988 Suicide & Crisis Hotline
Digital Wellness
Generation AI: What Kids and Families Think About AI
Recent court decisions in California and New Mexico marked an important step toward online safety by holding social media companies accountable for their impact on children. These rulings signal potential progress in protecting kids and preserving healthy childhood experiences, while encouraging families to stay engaged in shaping future changes.
AI is the most powerful technology of our time. Here's what stands out: More than half of kids and teens (58%) see AI as a learning tool, but parents are far less convinced, with only 41% believing AI will help kids' learning. And while most youth say using AI for learning should be encouraged, most parents believe it is unethical.
But underneath those differences, parents and kids share the same concerns. Seven in 10 parents and 6 in 10 teens believe that by the time today's kids are adults, people won't be able to function without AI.
The common ground is what matters most: Three in four parents and kids, across party lines, want real guardrails on AI. That's exactly what we're working toward.
FREE Webinar - Supporting Young People with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
PowerSchool
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.
Requesting a Parent/Team Meeting
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.
BMS Counseling Department
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