Family Support Newsletter
May 2026

May 2026
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to recognize the importance of emotional wellbeing for students, families, and our community. It’s an opportunity to reduce stigma, encourage open conversations, and remind one another that support is always available. Small actions—like checking in with a loved one, practicing self-care, or reaching out for help—can make a meaningful difference. Together, we can create a community where everyone feels seen, supported, and connected.
Looking for some ways to improve your mental health? Check out Mental Health America's 2026 Mental Health Month Action Guide for online activities, articles, printable tools, and practical resources.
District Clothing Closet
The West Seneca District Clothing Closet is here to support families in our community. You can stop by during our walk-in hours—no appointment needed—to pick up free clothing, shoes, school supplies, and hygiene items. We carry sizes for infants through adult. This resource is open to all West Seneca Central School District residents once a month. Please remember to bring a reusable bag!
May 2026 OPEN HOURS:
Tuesday 5/12/26 from 9:00am-11:00am
Tuesday 5/19/26 from 2:00pm-5:30pm
More Good Days, Together: A virtual wellness experience
In honor of Mental Health Month, join Mental Health America (MHA) for an immersive virtual experience designed to support your mind and body. Wellness is not achieved through a single change or action; it’s built on intentional, consistent practices that can lead to more good days.
This experience will bring our community together to explore simple, practical ways to support wellness and build healthy habits that last.
From the comfort of your own space, you can join us for guided chair yoga, reflective journaling, and calming breathwork activities that support both mind and body. This event will also offer insights into how lifestyle choices — like what we eat and how we structure our time — impact our emotional well-being.
More Good Days, Together: A Virtual Wellness Experience
Wednesday, May 20th
12:00 pm ET | 9:00 AM PT
Summer Recreational Resource Guide
Local Programs
- Free Summer lunches through West Seneca Schools
- West Seneca Youth & Rec Summer Programs
- West Seneca Public Library
- High Five Program - Free sports programs for athletes with disabilities Age K-21
Local Publications
- Erie County Youth Bureau Youth Programs
- Parent Network of WNY Recreational & Leisure Directory (under the Directories section, select Recreational Directory)
- Western New York Family Magazine
Academics and Therapies
- Able Summer Learning Program
- ARC of Erie County Summer Programming - Ages 14+
- Associated Physical and Occupational Therapy Services WNY
- BOCES Summer at the Center - For rising 5th to 8th grade students to sample different careers through exciting and interactive activities that make learning fun.
- Buffalo Hearing & Speech Center’s Social Communication Program
- Buffalo Museum of Science Discovery Camps
- Buffalo State Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic
- Cradle beach
- Daemen University Sports Camps
- Optimal Therapy Associates Services (OTAS)
- Sensational Fun - Summer social skills groups
- Summer Reading & Writing Camp University at Buffalo
- summerMAX 2026 - The comprehensive summer social development program (summerMAX) for 7-12-year-old autistic children without intellectual disability will be conducted 5 days a week for 5 weeks during the summer at Canisius University.
- UB Center for Literacy and Reading (CLaRI)-One to One Reading and Writing Tutoring
- Villa Maria Summer Camps - Grades 8-12
Athletics and The Arts
- West Seneca Camps for Athletes
- Buffalo Soccer for Success - Free soccer program for any child in grades K-8
- Buffalo State Softball Camp - Ages 7-18
- Buffalo State Summer Music Institute - grades 7-12
- Fundamental Baseball Instruction (F.B.I.) Camp
- Gymnastic Sports Academy-Summer Adventure Camp
- Jim Kelly Football Camp
- Miller Tennis Center
Arts Access Program - Any individual or family who receives income-based public assistance in WNY is eligible to apply.
- Planet Fitness - Planet Fitness' High School Summer Pass™ Returns; Teens Work Out Free June 1 - August 31
- Agents of Change Summer Camp - Free Leadership Camp for grades 9-12
- Erie County Youth Bureau Youth Programs
- Plymouth Crossroads - Free sports programs and summer programming
- Erie County Summer Youth - Eight-week work program, serving youth between the ages of 14 and 20 years old. Placement will be based on youth circumstances and household income.
- Summer Opportunities for High Schoolers
- Teen Treks Travel/Summer Camp
Recreational Camps
- Boys and Girls Club of Boston & Orchard Park
- Boys and Girls Club of Buffalo
- Boys and Girls Club of EMW
- Buffalo Equestrian Center/ Therapeutic Riding Center
- Buffalo Zoo Camp
- Camp Good Days and Special Times Summer Programs
- Camp Turner
- CAOWNY Summer Program
- Cheektowaga adaptive rec program, camps are fully integrated, open to youth with any developmental disabilities or special needs.
- Orchard Park Recreation - Adaptive Rec and a Special Olympics program
- Cradle Beach Summer Camps
- Doodle Bugs Day Camp
- Frida's Rebel Garden Summer Camp - for Youth Ages 9-17
- Girl Scouts of WNY Summer Camps
- Jewish Community Center Camps
- Lions Camp Badger-Home of Empire State Special Needs Experience
- Nardin Summer Camps
- USAChess Summer Chess and Video Game Creation Camps
- Park School Summer Day Camp
- Sahlen's Sports Park Summer Camps
- UB Summer Camps
- YMCA Camp
*This is not a comprehensive list of summer camp options. West Seneca Schools does not sponsor or endorse these programs; they are shared to help families explore available resources.
Do you know a summer program that we should add for next months newsletter? Submit it here
Once a month, Au-Some Evenings give children with autism and sensory processing needs, their friends and family an opportunity to play and learn together in an understanding and supportive environment FOR FREE. In addition to a fun night of play with access to the museum space and exhibits, we have special programming for families!
- Sunday, May 17 (9:30am-11:30am)
- SPECIAL MORNING AU-SOME
- The museum will open to the general public at 11:30am
- SPECIAL MORNING AU-SOME
- Friday, June 12 (4:30pm-6:30pm)
Supporting Parent and Caregiver Wellness with Breath-Body-Mind
This Mental Health Awareness Month, join a free interactive Breath-Body-Mind session to support your well-being. Learn simple, science-based breathing techniques that reduce stress, improve sleep and mood, and help calm the body and mind. Led by Denise Quamina, this session will also show how to use these strategies with children and families.
HELPFUL LINKS
Monthly Attendance Fact
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Contact Information
Email: mbrindamour@wscschools.org
Website: https://www.wscschools.org/domain/114
Phone: 716-677-3377