Counselor Connections
September 2026
Newsletter from the MSM School Counseling Department
Happy First Day of School!
Counselor Connections provides the Mount St. Mary community with a monthly communication tool from our School Counseling Department.
Ms. Lily Bayley is our school counselor for grades 9-11, and Mrs. Shepard is the school counselor for grade 12 and serves as the College & Career counselor.
The newsletter will be published and sent to your inbox on the second Tuesday of every month. A link to access this newsletter will also appear on the school website. Our goal is to be as thoughtful as possible in how we present information to you. We hope that you find your monthly Counselor Connections a helpful resource.
Calendar
Sep. 11 - Senior Retreat
Sep. 12 - September SAT
Sep. 14 - Picture Day
Sep. 18 - October SAT Registration Deadline
Sep. 18 - MSM Walkathon
Sep. 24 - FAFSA Information Night, 5:45pm
Sep. 24 - Meet the Teacher Night, 6:30pm
Oct. 3 - October SAT
Oct. 3, 5 - MSM Open House Dates
Oct. 6 - PSAT/NMSQT
Oct. 6 - Freshmen Retreat
Schedule & Scheduling Changes
Please look at your schedule carefully to make sure that you have a full schedule. All schedule changes must occur by Friday, September 11th. Please see your counselor if you have any questions.
9th, 10th & 11th grade students are scheduled into Study Halls during any free periods they may have during their days. Seniors have "free periods", meaning they are free to find places in the building, such as the senior lounge, any of the academic centers, or the library. If you notice a blank period in your day, please see your counselor as soon as possible.
9th, 10th & 11th grade students are assigned to a lunch period. Seniors are not scheduled to a specific lunch period. They may eat their lunch in the cafeteria, senior lounge or outside during times designated by Mr. Clark.
If a student makes a change after September 11th, a W (withdrawal) will appear on the student's transcript.
Senior Seminar
Each senior is scheduled for a Senior Seminar class. Students will meet with Mrs. Shepard once during our 6 day cycle in the first semester to work on topics related to college applications and admissions. All classes will meet in the Humanities Center, Room 109
MSM Meet the Teacher Night!
We are excited to invite you to our annual Meet the Teacher Night! Join us on Thursday, September 24th at 6:30pm, for an opportunity to meet your daughter's teachers and learn about the exciting year ahead. This is a great chance to ask questions, discuss your daughter's goals, and get to know our dedicated MSM faculty and staff.
Be on the lookout for more information the upcoming Family Connection Newsletter!
FAFSA Information Night
College Corner
College Rep Visits
Starting on Monday, September 14th, MSM will be welcoming college admissions representatives to Room 104 to speak with juniors and seniors about their schools. The visits with representatives provide an excellent opportunity for students to learn about different programs, financial aid/scholarships, campus visits, and campus life of colleges and universities from across the country.
Here are some guidelines regarding the visits:
- Visits are available to Seniors and Juniors only;
- Students will sign-up with Mrs. Shepard before the visit where they will receive a "College Visit Pass";
- Students will check-in with their teacher and give them their "College Visit Pass" at the start of the period for the teacher to keep;
- Once you give your teacher the pass you will head to Room 104 where you will continue to sign-in for the visit upon your arrival;
- Students must not miss a test/quiz/assessment to come to a visit;
- Students should be thoughtful in the visits they choose to attend so as not to miss too much class time;
- Teachers will be notified of students in attendance.
If you have any questions please stop by Mrs. Shepard's office!
Upcoming Sept./early Oct. College Admissions Visits
- Sep. 14 - Allegheny College 3rd period
- Sep. 14 - SUNY New Paltz 7th period
- Sep. 14 - Cleveland State 8th period
- Sep. 15 - Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 4th period
- Sep. 15 - Washington & Jefferson College 8th period
- Sep. 16 - Miami University Oxford 2nd period
- Sep. 16 - Clarkson University 3rd period
- Sep. 16 - Houghton University 4th period
- Sep. 16 - Capital University 5th period
- Sep. 16 - SUNY Binghamton 7th period
- Sep. 16 - University of Rochester 8th period
- Sep. 17 - St. Bonaventure University 2nd period
- Sep. 17 - St. Lawrence University 3rd period
- Sep. 17 - Franciscan University of Steubenville Free/4th period
- Sep. 17 - Kent State University 5th period
- Sep. 17 - Mercyhurst University 7th period
- Sep. 17 - Seton Hill University 8th period
- Sep. 21 - Canisius University 2nd period
- Sep. 21 - SUNY Stony Brook 7th period
- Sep. 22 - Gannon University 4th period
- Sep. 22 - John Carroll University 5th period
- Sep. 24 - Keuka College 4th period
- Sep. 24 - High Point University 7th period
- Sep. 24 - Rochester Institute of Technology 8th period
- Sep. 28 - Susquehanna University 3rd period
- Sep. 29 - Prescott College 3rd period
- Oct. 1 - Xavier University 4th period
- Oct. 8 - SUNY Niagara 3rd period
Fall 2026 Open House Opportunities
Below please find a list of WNY/Erie PA/Rochester college open house dates. Attending an open house is a valuable experience! Many colleges offer an admissions presentation, campus tour, financial aid presentation, and an opportunity for students and families to ask specific questions. Each link will bring you to a registration form.
Sep. 25 - Alfred University
Oct. 3 - Gannon University
Oct. 3 - St. Bonaventure University
Oct. 3 - SUNY Fredonia
Oct. 3 - SUNY Geneseo
Oct. 10 - Houghton University
Oct. 12 - Rochester Institute of Technology
Oct. 16 - Canisius University
Oct. 17 - Niagara University
Oct. 24 - Daemen University
Oct. 24 - Mercyhurst University
Oct. 24 - Rochester Institute of Technology
Oct. 24 - St. Bonaventure University
Oct. 24 - St. John Fisher University
Oct. 24 - SUNY Alfred State University
Oct. 24 - SUNY Brockport
Oct. 24 - SUNY Buffalo State
Oct. 24 - SUNY Fredonia
Oct. 24 - SUNY University at Buffalo
Oct. 24 - University of Rochester
Oct. 31 - Nazareth University
Nov. 5 - SUNY Niagara
Nov. 7 - Hilbert College
Nov. 7 - Houghton University
Nov. 8 - SUNY Alfred State University
Nov. 11 - Nazareth University
Nov. 11 - SUNY Geneseo
Nov. 11 - University of Rochester
Nov. 14 - Rochester Institute of Technology
Nov. 14 - SUNY Brockport
Nov. 14 - SUNY Buffalo State
Nov. 17 - SUNY Erie Community College (City Campus)
Nov. 18 - SUNY Erie Community College (South Campus)
Nov. 19 - SUNY Erie Community College (North Campus)
Nov. 21 - St. John Fisher University
Daemen University Fall College Night
Daemen University will be hosting its Annual College Night on Monday, September 14th from 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm. Admissions representatives from throughout the country will be in attendance. There will also be workshops on the admissions process and financial aid. Please follow this link to register.
St. Joe's Collegiate Institute College Fair
SJCI will be hosting its Annual College Fair on Wednesday, September 16th from 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm. Connect with over 80 colleges and universities! Students and families of private schools across Western New York are invited to meet with reps from different colleges, ask questions and start planning the road ahead.
School Counseling Staff
- Ms. Lily Bayley - School Counselor, Grades 9-11 - lbayley@msmacademy.org
- Mrs. Kelli Shepard - School Counselor, Grade 12 - kshepard@msmacademy.org
Mount St. Mary Academy
Mount St. Mary Academy, founded by the Sisters of St. Mary of Namur, is a Catholic, private, college preparatory school for young women. Within a nurturing and academically challenging and inclusive environment, the Academy strives to develop the whole person’s gifts and potential. Guided by our Catholic tradition, and rooted in Gospel values, we empower scholars to be leaders dedicated to lifelong learning, moral integrity, social justice, and service to and inclusion of others.
We Believe in You!
Location: 3756 Delaware Ave, Kenmore NY 14217
Phone: (716) 877-1358
Website: msmacademy.org
News: https://msmacademy.org/news/
Facebook: facebook.com/msmacademy
Twitter: @msmacademy