How to Meet with Your School Counselor
There are a few ways to set up a meeting with your school counselor:
Stop by the Main Office or Counseling Office: If you're at school, you can go to either the main office or the counseling office and ask if your counselor is available.
Email Your Counselor: You can send an email to your counselor to request a meeting:
Mrs. Sullivan (6th Grade) – kellysullivan@westfordk12.us
Mr. O'Connell (7th Grade) – boconnell@westfordk12.us
Mrs. LeBlanc (8th Grade) – lleblanc@westfordk12.us
Ms. Oehley – roehley@westfordk12.us
Ask Your Teacher to See Your Counselor: If you're in class, you can ask your teacher if you can meet with your counselor.
Reasons to Meet with Your School Counselor
As a middle school student, there are many reasons why you might want to talk to your school counselor. Here are some ways they can help:
Help with Schoolwork: Get advice on staying organized and managing homework.
Friendship Problems: Talk about issues with friends or bullying.
Feeling Stressed or Anxious: Discuss worries about school, tests, or personal feelings.
Planning for the Future: Get help thinking about high school or future career options.
Family Changes: Talk about changes at home, like moving or parents separating.
Building Confidence: Work on feeling better about yourself and improving self-esteem.
Managing Emotions: Learn ways to handle anger, sadness, or frustration.
Getting Involved: Find out about clubs, activities, or sports you might enjoy.
Need Someone to Talk To: Have a safe space to talk about anything on your mind.
Work Permit Application Information for Westford Parents and Students
If you are 14 years old, you are eligible to work part-time. However, before you can start working, you must first obtain a Work Permit.
Child Labor Laws and Work Permits
Child labor laws limit the number of hours minors under 18 can work, as well as the types of jobs they can perform. Additionally, state law requires employers to keep Youth Employment Permits (work permits) on file for all workers under the age of 18. In Massachusetts, children under 14 are not allowed to work, except in very limited circumstances.
How to Apply for a Work Permit
Westford parents and students: Please submit your work permit application online by following these instructions:
Collect and scan all required documents.
Complete the online APPLICATION and upload the scanned documents as requested.
Click “Submit” for review.
Once all requirements are met, a WORK PERMIT will be issued and sent to the applicant’s provided email address.
If you prefer to apply in person, you can print a hard copy of the APPLICATION and submit it with the required documents to the following locations:
During the school year: Westford Academy's main office
During the summer months (when school is not in session): Office of the Superintendent of Schools
Contact Information
If you have any questions, please contact Hilary Langille at hlangille@westfordk12.us or leave a message at 978-692-5570, ext. 7401.
Links to Applications
Resources
For more information on work permits, visit Mass.gov:
Notify Your School Counselor: By mid-December that you are applying to private high schools so they can assist with the process.
Request Letters of Recommendation: Contact your recommenders directly by mid-December.
Pay Attention to Application Deadlines