Important Message about "Thirteen Reasons Why"

Dear Parents and Guardians -

Westford Academy wanted to make you aware of the Netflix series- Thirteen Reasons Why. This show is based on a book that was released 10 years ago and has been made into a 13-episode drama series on Netflix. The series depicts extremely strong and graphic themes of suicide, bullying, rape, substance abuse and other social issues.

The trailer, advertisements and storytelling of this series can be misleading- Teenagers could perceive the message that suicide is a viable or romanticized option.

• There is no mention of mental health and treatment options (as it references suicide throughout)

• The idea of suicide is romanticized throughout

• The series does not express what to do in harmful situations in terms of getting help or utilizing healthy coping strategies

• The only time we see the main character seek out professional help is on the day she kills herself. She seeks help from a school counselor (as she is struggling with the aftermath of being raped by a classmate). The counselor is portrayed as indifferent, suggests that she needs to move on and that without disclosing the name of her rapist, there isn’t much he can do to help her. The main character leaves the counselor’s office with a reinforced feeling of hopelessness and a few hours later slits her wrists in her bathtub.

• The series is not meant to be an educational film, and it’s message does not comply with health recommendations for treating mental illness, and/or trauma, or preventing suicide.

Please find out if your child has read the book, watched the series, or heard of the series and talk with them about it. We also suggest you research the series or watch it for yourself so you understand what your child may be exposed to.

Please be reassured that the Guidance Department and faculty at Westford Academy are educated in the risk factors as they pertain to mental health. The Counselors at WA would respond to any safety issues with a sense of urgency, seriousness, empathy, problem solving and parent communication.  

Please encourage your child to seek out a teacher/coach/counselor if they or their friends are demonstrating mental health risk factors.

If you’d like more information, please contact WA’s School Social Workers- Patti Lonergan (plonergan@westfordk12.us) or Micaela Violette (mviolette@westfordk12.us)

For further information and resources:

NASP: Preventing Youth Suicide

NASP: Tips for Parents & Educators

NASP: Save A Friend - Resource for Teens

National Suicide Prevention Hotline,1-800-273-TALK (8255), or text “START” to 741741

Class of 2017 Announcement

Graduation Announcements
Graduation Announcements will be sold in the main office beginning Monday, May 1st.  These are not graduation tickets! They are simply nice announcements to serve as a keepsake for graduation or to send to family members.  The cost is $2.00 per announcement (10 announcements per family while they last.)  Please see Mrs. Langille to purchase.

Class of 2018 Updates

If you have not yet met with your guidance counselor yet to discuss “Life After Westford Academy,” please call or email to schedule an appointment if you would like to do so. The end of the school year is fast approaching, and it can be challenging to schedule these meetings in late May and June because of MCAS and senior activities.

SATs/ACT

Deadline for the June 3 SAT and SAT Subject tests is May 9

Deadline for the June 10 ACT is May 5

Junior Job Shadow Day is a little less than a month away. Over the next week or two it is a good idea to touch base with your site supervisor to confirm your visit on May 16th. All the required can be found on the School to Careers webpage on the WA website – Guidance tab – School to Career. 

https://sites.google.com/a/westfordk12.us/school-to-careers/junior-job-shadow

Information Sessions/Open Houses

Landmark College Open House
June 10
Register at www.landmark.edu/admissions/visit/open-house-registration

Boston University Inside the Application Process
Wednesday, May 17, 2017
Boston University
College of General Studies
871 Commonwealth Avenue
Boston, MA 02215

Registration and refreshments: 6:30 p.m.
Program: 7:00 p.m.
If you plan to attend, please RSVP at http://www.bu.edu/admissions/visit-us/schedule-your-visit/?date=2017-05-17

Summer Programs

The Department of Architecture at Wentworth has planned a four-week “design and build” program for high school students entering grade 10 and above, called summerFAB. Participants can stay on campus or commute to Wentworth on a daily basis. Students who successfully complete the program and later enroll in our Architecture program can use SummerFAB to replace a four-credit elective course in Architecture. Graduates of summerFAB will also be eligible to receive a one-time $2000 tuition scholarship toward their freshman year tuition at Wentworth.

Summer is a great time to be in Boston, and Wentworth is a great place to explore an interest in design and fabrication!  For more information, please go to http://legacy.wit.edu/summerfab/ or contact Program Director, Rob Trumbour at trumbourr@wit.edu.

Miami University Summer Scholars Program
Application Deadline: May 1
Session I: July 2-14, 2017
Session II: July 16-28, 2017
Complete the online application. A limited number of full scholarships for the program are available for students demonstrating financial need.
http://miamioh.edu/admission/high-school/summer-scholars/
If you have any questions, please email summerscholars@MiamiOH.edu or call 513-529-2531.

"The World's Most Complete Game Camp"
University of Washington, Seattle
July 1-19
www.game.experienceamerica.com

Boston University Metropolitan College & Extended Education
Reading Skills and Speed Reading Programs for Children and Adults
For more information or to register call 1-800-903-0162
Classes offered for all grades, adults, and college students

Boston University's College of Communication offers creative high school students the opportunity to develop their cinematic or journalistic storytelling skills at the Academy of Media Production
July 10th - August 4th, 2017.
Applications are currently being accepted.
Program Dates: July 10th - August 4th, 2017
Program Information & Application Materials: bu.edu/amp

New England Center for Investigative Reporting - Investigative Reporting Summer Workshop
Session 1: June 26 - July 7
Session 2: July 10 - July 21
Session 3: July 24 - August 4
Learn more at www.necir.org/summer

Hampshire College Precollege Program
https://www.hampshire.edu/summer-programs/citizens-united
In Citizens United, we’ll explore fundamental questions about how free speech and civic participation work according to current campaign finance laws. Using improvisation, role-play, and creative writing, we’ll ask: What are the limits and possibilities to defining money as speech? Does the equal right of a person, human or corporate, to participate in public discourse lead to unequal influence in public opinion? What is meaningful speech?

The program will be taught by the amazing artist Adelita Husni-Bey and Jocelyn Edens, a curator and Hampshire alum. Throughout the program we’ll work with lawyers and activists, including the co-founder of Free Speech for People and a lead organizer at Represent.Us.

Citizens United will run this summer from July 17-28.
May 15: Application Deadline (all application materials must be submitted)

Long Island University (LIU) Post Summer Honors Institute 
July 9 – 14
Programs are offered on a full–scholarship basis–the only costs to students are for meals and transportation.
Fill out the online application.
Institutes in:
A Passion for Fashion
Broadway Bound
Choosing a Path in Health Care
Creative Art and Sculpture Workshop
Creative Writing – Outside the Lines
CSI: LIU
Design Your Own Digital Game
Entrepreneurial Leadership Experience
Let’s Get Graphic!
The Marching Band is on the Field
Model UN – A Foreign Affair
So You Think You Can Dance?
The World of Robotics
If you have any questions, please contact us at Post-SummerHonors@liu.edu or 516-299-2900.
Visit us online: liu.edu/post

Refuge Lowell Summer Summer Courseshttps://www.refugelowell.com
**Fine Arts and Portfolio Courses
Drawing Place & Understanding Space:
Instructor: Courtney Wilson
Student artists will explore the theme of place and space from observation, imagination and memory. An emphasis will be placed on understanding the technical skills of perspective, depth, and value.

**Our first Young Artist course for AGES 5-12
Exploring Materials: Art Camp
Instructor: Mia Eliopoulos
Student artists will explore a variety of mediums through sculpture, drawing and painting. A special
emphasis will be placed on imagination and creative problem solving.

**Design, Problem Solving & Community Course
Build Something!
Instructors: 4 Nichols & Nikki Giraffo
Students designers will attend field trips and meet local innovators and problems-solvers in the cities of Lowell and Lawrence. Through instruction of artistic principles, scale, and modeling, students will create a model or design that represents a solution to a problem as they see it.

To register for the workshops, go to the registration form on our website. For more information on "Build Something!" or ideas for how to help support what we are doing at Refuge Lowell, contact us!

Our four other exciting Studio courses at Refuge Lowell this summer will still be:

Drawing Lowell

Painting with Sticks, Fingers, & Squeeze Bottles

Still Life & Oil Paint

Thread, Needle, & a Sketchbook

NESOP's CAMP PHOTO is a summer workshop dedicated to high school students ages 15-18 who want to experiment with their photographic visions. This summer's program is for high school students who are looking to immerse themselves in the world of digital, portraiture and traditional black & white photography. These courses can be taken independently or together, with each week having a different focus. CAMP PHOTO is a great way to explore your talents, build on your portfolio and learn more about career possibilities in the photographic industry.
http://www.nesop.edu/
Space is limited, so enroll now to save your spot!
----------------------------------------------------------
Camp Photo 1:  Creative Digital Capture and Workflow
Select one of two sessions:
Session A:  July 24, 2017-July 28, 2017

Session B:  August 7, 2017-August 11, 2017
10 a.m. - 4 p.m. p.m. each day   

Tuition:  $575 for enrollment received by June 5, 2017. 
$600 after June 5th.

This fast-paced course is designed to help young photographers understand how to use their digital SLRs and Adobe Lightroom to capture, organize, and develop high quality images. After a basic overview of exposure, lenses and composition, students will delve into more advanced manual camera controls and quickly learn how to use Lightroom as their "digital darkroom". Daily creative shooting assignments will challenge students to think beyond the obvious and approach their picture-making more artistically. Students will launch a photo-blog at the beginning of the week where they can post daily photo assignments to share with friends and family.

Required: Students must provide a digital SLR or mirrorless camera with lens, battery, memory card, instruction manual and portable hard drive. Familiarity with basic computer concepts is assumed. NESOP is a Macintosh environment - please keep this in mind when purchasing a portable hard drive. For the purpose of this workshop, we recommend: 1 TB, USB 3.0 portable hard drive
----------------------------------------------------------
Camp Photo 1:  Darkroom Magic - Traditional Black & White Photography

July 17, 2017-July 21, 2017
10 a.m. - 4 p.m. p.m. each day   

Tuition:  $575 for enrollment received by June 5, 2017. 
$600 after June 5th.

This course is an exciting introduction into traditional black and white photography where students will learn to manually expose and develop film and print their own photographs in the darkroom. This course will cover the basics of manual exposure, applicable in both analog and digital capture, and will focus heavily on the craft of printmaking. Daily shooting assignments will challenge students to solve technical and aesthetic problems. In addition, students will be introduced to the work of contemporary artists as inspiration. At the end of the week, each student will take home a small portfolio of handmade prints.

Prerequisite: an understanding of basic camera functions is helpful but not required. Film cameras, film, printing paper and chemistry will be provided for each student.
-----------------------------------------------------------
Camp Photo 2:  Art & Design

July 10, 2017-July 14, 2017 
10 a.m. - 4 p.m. each day   

Tuition:  $575 for enrollment received by June 5, 2017. 
$600 after June 5th.

This class moves beyond the technical controls of the camera and introduces students to theories of design and the visual aspects of image making which become powerful communication tools for artists. On a daily basis, various compositional topics are introduced and the class will look at the work of contemporary artists for inspiration before going on daily shooting excursions where the assignments reiterate course topics. By the end of class, students will have developed a language for describing and critiquing their work and should have a stronger understanding of how to build a more meaningful and visually impactful images.

Prerequisite: This class is suited for any student who has already taken Creative Digital Capture and Workflow or who has a strong understanding of camera controls and a basic working knowledge of Adobe Lightroom. Students must provide a digital SLR or mirrorless camera with lens, battery, memory card and instruction manual and portable hard drive. NESOP is a Macintosh environment - please keep this in mind when purchasing a portable hard drive. For the purpose of this workshop, we recommend: 1 TB, USB 3.0 portable hard drive.
-----------------------------------------------------------
 Camp Photo 2:  Portraiture

August 14, 2017-August 18, 2017
10 a.m. - 4 p.m. each day   

Tuition:  $575 for enrollment received by June 5, 2017
$600 after June 5th.

This course introduces students to the dynamic world of portraiture; topics include lighting pattern and styles, subject posing, as well as demonstrations of controlled studio lighting. Daily topics will segue into group shooting assignments, both in the studio and on-location.  Course assignments will emphasize technical skill as well as creative and aesthetic considerations.

Prerequisite: This class is suited for any student who has already taken Creative Digital Capture and Workflow or who has a strong understanding of camera controls and a basic working knowledge of Adobe Lightroom. Students must provide a digital SLR or mirrorless camera with lens, battery, memory card and instruction manual and portable hard drive. NESOP is a Macintosh environment - please keep this in mind when purchasing a portable hard drive. For the purpose of this workshop, we recommend: 1 TB, USB 3.0 portable hard drive.

Parents/Guardians please note: As per the course descriptions, students will be taken outside the school facilities and around the city of Boston on shooting expeditions during these workshops.   By registering your child/student, you acknowledge and understand the course description and give (your) permission to allow your child/student to participate in these daily excursions.  

Vermont Counselor Tour, Final Day: Champlain College

Champlain College, Burlington, VT

- Approximately 2200 students
- Upside down curriculum - students start with hands-on learning with their major from the very beginning, add core academics for requirements later on
- Four schools: Business, Communication, Education, and ITS
- Most popular majors are: Business Administration and Management, General, Cyber/Computer Forensics and Counterterrorism, Accounting and Graphic Design
- New major in Data Analytics
- All classes are capped at 30 students
- Two additional campuses in Dublin and Montreal that are available to students
- 53% of all students study abroad
- Named Champlain "Most Innovative School" in the the North by U.S. News and World Report
- First year housing is in 19 restored Victorian-era mansions, that are mostly double rooms
- Additional housing for upperclassmen is more modern suites and apartment style
- Warm, friendly student body

Our tour guide in front of the Business bulding

Gorgeous view of Lake Champlain

Statue of Samuel de Champlain in front of the Student Life Center

Display of t-shirts in support of Sexual Assault Awareness Month

First year Residence Hall in restored Victorian

Vermont Counselor Tour, Day 5: Sterling College

Sterling College, Craftsbury Common, VT

- Approximately 130 students
- Emphasis on environmental stewardship in higher education
- Very tight knit community - weekly community meetings with entire student body and staff
- Focus on embracing diversity and examining racial justice
- Small classes
- National "Work College" - every residential student has a job on campus which helps offset tuition, which allows students to graduate with lower debt
- About 30% of the food served in the dining hall is produced on campus, including meat and vegetables
- Fully functional farm with sheep, cows, pigs, and horses
- 5 Majors, including outdoor education, environmental humanities, and sustainability
- Additional option for a major is to Self-Design one
- Global Field Studies - students are required to go off-campus for experiential learning (can be two weeks up to a full year)
- New addition of an ultra trail running team, as well as a nordic ski team

Dining hall

Admissions building

Baby sheep

Cows

Piglets

Vermont Counselor Tour, Day 5: Lyndon State College

Lyndon State College, Lyndonville, VT

- Approximately 1200 students
- Known for programs in atmospheric sciences, exercise science, business, music production, and electronic journalism arts
- Jim Cantore, the meteorologist is famous alum of the LSC
- In 2018, combining with Johnson State College to become Northern Vermont University with two distinct campuses
- Division 3 Athletics
- Dorms are suite style living for upperclassmen, freshman housing is varied
- Free parking all four years
- Increasingly strong emphasis on experiential learning (internships, research, etc.)
- Close to ski mountains, where students can get a discounted pass for the season
- Yearly traditions of Polar Bear Plunge in the campus pond

View from the Observatory Deck, used by students majoring in atmsopheric sciences

View of the baseball team practicing

Example of a typical classroom

Dining hall on campus

Vermont Counselor Tour, Day 5: Johnson State College

Johnson State College, Johnson, VT

- Approximately 1500 students
- 30+ majors, including psychology, education, environmental and health sciences, and business
- New Associate's and Bachelor's in Woodworking
- Offers the only Wellness & Alternative Medicine major in New England
- Average class size is 14.5 students
- In 2018, will be combining with Lyndon State College to become Northern Vermont University, with two distinct campuses
- NAC Division 3 Athletics
- Snowboard terrain park located on campus
- Internships and faculty-mentored research are extremely popular and encouraged
- One of only a small number of colleges in the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges

Example of dorm at JSC

Flags representing inclusivity on campus

The library

Inspirational quote at library

Freshman student working on final project for art class (photo taken with permission)

Art Gallery on campus

Student Center

Vermont Counselor Tour, Day 4: Norwich University

Norwich University, Northfield, VT

- Approximately 2300 students

- Test optional admissions 

- NCAA Division 3 athletics

- Two thirds are in the Corps of Cadets and the remaining one third are civilians

- 100-150 graduate each year as a Commissioned Officer in any of the four branches of the military

- 34+ majors offered

- Newly updated buildings, as well as new renovations happening on campus

- Big emphasis on leadership for all students

- Popular programs include computer technology, with emphasis on cyber security, nursing, and engineering

- 98% receive some sort of financial aid, the net price a student pays is $25,000

Recently built athletic complex

Statue of Alden Partridge, founder of Norwich

Cadet dorms surrounding the Upper Parade Ground

Civilian dorms

Sullivan Museum

 

Vermont Counselor Tour, Day 4: Vermont Technical College

Vermont Technical College, Randolph Center, VT
- Multiple campuses throughout the state of VT - nursing is the biggest major
- Rolling admission
- Also offers majors in applied science, engineering, aviation, and many more
- Rural campus
- 750 students on main Randolph campus
- Average class size is 16; student: teacher 12:1
- All hands on learning
- 80% of students are from Vermont
- Students can do combined associates and bachelors degrees (2 + 2 business)
- offers science and math high school called VAST (senior year of high school and freshman year combined) - 11th grade students apply in spring of junior year

Center of campus

Greenhouse

Student Center

Dorm buildings

Vermont Counselor Tour, Day 4: Saint Michael's College

Saint Michael's College, Colchester, VT
- Catholic college of approximately 2000 students
- Liberal arts college
- Test optional admissions policy
- NCAA Division 2
- Housing is required and guaranteed all four years
- Average class size is 19 students
- 36 different majors offered
- Two most popular are business and biology
- Every student does research, internships, study abroad, or service learning
- Fire & Rescue program - respond to over 3000 calls each year
- Adventure Sports Program, where students can try a new sport or undergo training to become group
leaders, is the largest and most popular club on campus

 Inside of the St. Mike's Chapel

 Sports Complex at St. Mike's

 Women's basketball team practicing

 View of dorms

Vermont Counselor Tour, Day 4: New England Culinary Institute

New England Culinary Institute, Montpelier, VT
- Offers Associate's and Bachelor's degrees: Baking/Pastry, Culinary Arts, and Food and Beverage Service Management
-Very focused education with numerous opportunities for hands on learning
- Students work in farm to table restaurant and bakery
- Complete at least one paid internship in a real restaurant located in multiple places in the U.S. and abroad
- 96% placement rate for graduates (with at least two job offers)
- Must also take general education courses
- Learn not only about the cooking/baking side of the industry, but also the business side

 Demonstration on how to make chocolate roses

 Modeling chocolate as the guy in Operation

 Breadmaking at the student run bakery in Montpelier

 Farm to table restaurant with student chefs

Example of cake made by students

Vermont Counselor Tour, Day 3: Marlboro College

Marlboro College, Marlboro, VT
- Approximately 200 students
- Rural campus
- Voted one of the 40 Colleges That Change Lives
- No typical majors - each student graduates with a Bachelor's, with a concentration in a field of their choosing
- Students design their own studies, called Plan of Concentration, under the guidance of one or more faculty members
- Examples of the plan include the campus greenhouse, the campus farm, examining the intersection of religion and food, etc. 
- Outdoors Program that offers free trips skiing, hiking, caving, rafting, etc.
- Offers themed housing
- Test optional - admissions focus is on the whole student and their fit at the College
- Professor-student relationship is more mentoring than typical teacher-student
- Required "World Studies" - students have to spend at least six-eight months doing internship in a foreign culture

 The largest classroom on campus

 Dorm

Vermont Counselor Tour, Day 3: Landmark College

Landmark College, Putney,VT

- 450 students
- Every student has own advisor who is both developmental and academic advisor to the student
- Curriculum is designed and adapted for students with learning disabilities - must have diagnosis for admission
- Bridge program in first year - helps students to build skill set that allows them to be successful at the college level (classes may not be credit bearing)
- Small classes, 6-15 students in each class
- 200 faculty for 450 students
- Bachelor's degrees in Studio Art, Computer Science, and Liberal Studies and adding more (Psychology and Entrepreneurship)
- Study abroad available - run by Landmark Faculty
- Traditional residence halls and suite living (no more than 80 students/dorm)
- Offers  soccer, basketball (Men's and Women's), baseball, softball, and Cross Country