June Newsletter

BMS Counseling Department

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Upcoming Dates and Reminders
LGBTQIA+ Pride Month

Community Resources
Articles, Webinars, and Resources for Students/Caregivers
Social Media Awareness
Requesting Parent/Team Meetings
PowerSchool

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June is National LGBTQIA+ Pride Month!

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PRIDE month is celebrated annually to honor the 1969 Stonewall riots and other works that have helped to achieve Equal Rights for the LGBTQIA+ community. During Pride month, we celebrate the legacy of this courageous leadership and global activism to achieve equal justice and equity of opportunity for the LGBTQIA+ community.

LGBTQIA+ Pride Month events attract millions of participants around the world. Memorials are held during this month for those members of the community who have been lost to hate crimes or HIV/AIDS.The purpose of Pride month is to recognize the impact that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals have had on history locally, nationally, and internationally.

Pride inspires our joy in the celebration of the beautiful identities and rich culture of the LGBTQIA+ community. We honor the LGBTQIA+ community’s vision of a more inclusive, accepting, and loving world. It is vital to encourage greater acceptance and support for all youth, including those who are or are perceived to be LGBTQIA+, by expanding our commitment as active upstanders and allies. Together we commit to make communities, schools, and other settings safer, better places for all youth.

All about Pride Month!

6 tips for talking about Pride month and LGBTQ+ rights with kids

7 Ways to Support Transgender Teens

Resources:

The Trevor Project

PFLAG

GLAAD

Family Acceptance Project®

Nashoba Tech Summer Camps

I'm happy to announce JVSE Summer Camp summer opportunities at Nashoba Tech! We have camps running for 3 weeks in July (7/10-7/28/23).

Students "immerse" themselves in 1-program of choice for 20-hrs in a week.

Options are below & ALL except Babysitting are offered all 3 weeks, pending enrollment:

Click on each link below for flyers.

More details & registration: https://www.nashobatech.net/page/middle-school-program-junior-vikings

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Town of Westford Community Wellness Event

Minding your Minds for the Adolescent Mental Health presentation

Last week the town hosted Minding your Minds for the Adolescent Mental Health presentation. The recording is now available through the below link and passcode.

https://westfordma-gov.zoom.us/rec/share/jxdbwTosJeyjust78rhZCjf4Db-pxy90w3u1HasvXCMlno7HkFXB6jSlqafigIFL.Hx_IMWj_68YKSmxQ?startTime=1684447381000

Passcode: T7KY@+g&

The recording will also be available through the Community Wellness page on the town’s website.

A couple resources shared during the presentation:

Behavioral Health Helpline: The Massachusetts Behavioral Health Help Line (BHHL) is here to connect you directly to clinical help, when and where you need it. Even if you’re not sure what kind of help or treatment you may need, they can help guide you. Call or Text: 833-773-2445 https://www.masshelpline.com/

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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.

Young Person Addiction Anonymous Meeting

Do you have a youth struggling with an addiction who can utilize additional support in the community? Westford is offering the first young person addiction anonymous meeting the 2nd and 4th Tuesday every month. See flyer for more information.

The first meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 9 from 5-6 PM at Fletcher Library.

Northeast Health Services

Now accepting mental health referrals at their new Lowell clinic.

Click here for more information.

St Vincent de Paul

For residents in Westford who are in need of financial assistance, the St Vincent de Paul organization provides numerous services (see below).

Direct Phone Line: (978) 320-4214

Email: email here

Examples of services offered by SVdP include:

Rent / mortgage assistance

Food / meals programs

Transportation

Utilities

Urgent home repair / maintenance

Shopping / errands

Assistance with funeral expenses

Town of Westford Mobile Clinician

This service is for Westford families who are experiencing a mental health challenge and currently awaiting care or on a waitlist for care. This service can help shorten this wait time by offering short – term mobile clinical services in Town buildings to those in need.

See below for detailed information.

TownOfWestfordMobileClinician.pdf

drive.google.com

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bryt Family Engagement Team

Click on the image to view the full 2022-2023 bryt Family Engagement Team calendar. The calendar provides links to recordings of the FREE Monthly Virtual Speaker Series for 2021-2022.

Resources

#Male Mental Health

How Summer Can Affect Our Mental Health

Summer Depression in Adolescents: Why Is My Teen Sad in the Summer?

Strategies for a Successful Summer Break

Social Media Awareness

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Social Media and Mental Health

Teens and Mental Health: How Girls Really Feel About Social Media

Effects of Social Media on Teenagers

Summer Screen Time

Too Much Screen Time? Setting A Summer Schedule For Teens

PowerSchool

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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.