Counselor Connection
IHS Counseling Center Newsletter
Spring 2026 Edition
We are excited to be heading into the final months of the school year! School counselors have met with all students grades 9-11 to discuss their course selections for next year. We have also been back in classrooms again to work with our students on some post-high school planning and Naviance/SEL work!
Spring Edition Newsletter will include:
- School Counselor Assignment Chart
- Fee Waiver Reminder
- Course Selection Updates
- EMCC & New Visions
- Junior Section & Naviance Resource
- SAT/ACT Information (Including Digital SAT Test Day Resources)
- PSAT information for rising Juniors to take during Fall of 2026
- College Visits & Fairs
- Senior Section
- Financial Aid/Scholarship Resources
- College and Career Center
- Upcoming Events
- Additional Resources
As always please don't hesitate to reach out to your student's Counselor with any questions!
The Counseling Team
New Resource - See Below!
See attachment about a free resource to prep for upcoming New York State Regents exams!
Fee Waiver Reminder
Course Selection Process for 2026-2027
For Students Grades 9-11:
Counselors met 1:1 with students December through February to have post high school planning conversations and to request courses for the 26-27 school year. These thoughtful conversations and student course requests lead to the Master Schedule being created. Students and families should have received an electronic copy via email. We encourage students to review the selections with their families and reach out to their school counselor if they wish to make a change. Changes made after these meetings (specifically after the end of the 25-26 school year) may not be able to be honored due to class sizes and staffing availability.
Below is the course catalog to view the extensive list of comprehensive offerings available to students!
EMCC & New Visions
EMCC Application Process
New Visions
Attention Juniors!
Prepping for Post High School Planning
3 Areas of Focus:
- Researching colleges, military options, or school to work opportunities (trades, trainings, etc.)
- Registering for SAT's and/or ACT's (see below for more information)
- Stay on top of academics - this is the final year of grades going in to the overall GPA for college applications
Naviance
Naviance is our college and career exploration program. Students are exposed to Naviance each year to work on different components of the post high school planning process. Some features to note:
- Résumé Builder
- Career Exploration
- College Search Options
- "Favoriting" a school (clicking the ❤️) adds it to the "Colleges I'm Thinking About List" which identifies students to notify for college rep visits
- Tracking Colleges/Universities of Interest
*Students also utilize Naviance in senior year for the application process including requesting letters of recommendations from teachers and keeping their list of schools applying to.
TO ACCESS NAVIANCE:
On student laptop - Launch Google Chrome Browser
Click "Clever" App
Click "Log in with Microsoft"
Click "Naviance" App
Explore!
SAT/ACT/PSAT
Below are the upcoming Spring test dates. Please keep in mind that the SAT has now moved to a digital format and there will no longer be physical hard copies of the exams. Students will be expected to bring their device (school or personal) with them on test day.
*Please note that late registration deadlines require an additional fee.
We've added some links with helpful test day information and how to prepare for you to review as you register for the exams. Another note is that given the digital format, it is mandatory to have the Blue Book app downloaded on your device prior to test day.
Spring dates and registration links/deadlines can be found below!
*Please note we are not a National Test Center for the 25-26 school year. Your student can choose other area schools to test at. Click on the graphic below to register!
PSAT FALL OF 2026
Attention 10th Grade Students:
The PSAT/NMSQT is a Practice SAT exam that will give students the opportunity to experience what sitting for the SAT will be like and what types of questions you will be asked. In other words, it is a great way to prepare before taking the SATs. This exam is also used as a qualifier for the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (NMSQT) competition, which provides college scholarships to students who earn high scores on the exam.
For students who will be in 11th grade (and some who are in 10th grade) during the 2026-2027 school year, the test will be offered on Saturday, October 17th from 7:30am - 11:30am (for standard time test takers). In order to sign up for the test, please fill out this electronic form: PSAT/NMSQT Sign-Up 2026-2027 – Fill out form.
Please note, that by filling out the form, you are committing to paying the $28 fee for the exam (unless your family qualifies for Free/Reduced Lunch - see application link above in "Fee Waiver Reminder") regardless of whether or not your student shows up to the exam. More information about the test will be sent home in September 2026.
If you have any questions, please reach out to Meghan Ferriter at meghan_ferriter@westiron.monroe.edu.
The deadline to register is October 1, 2026.
FREE SAT PRACTICE ON KHAN ACADEMY
Once you receive your scores you will have access to Official SAT Practice through Khan Academy. This is the best way to prepare for the SAT’s and will individualize your review based on how you did on the PSAT’s.
College Visits & Fairs
MCC Student Advisement and Registration Visit Day, June 2nd
Students will have the opportunity to:
- Create their Fall 2026 schedule with the guidance of a Student Success Coach
- Meet with Financial Aid to understand the billing process and available support
- Connect with college resources such as Technology Assistance and Learning Centers
- Meet current MCC students and learn more about Student Life at MCC
- Take a guided tour of our beautiful campus
- Take an optional Residence Life tour
- Enjoy lunch with us during the visit
***Please note, MCC applications must be submitted prior to attending!***
Attention Seniors!
College Application Information
Seniors should have college applications submitted. Please monitor individual college deadlines and make sure to allow twelve (12) school days to process transcript and letter of recommendation requests. Some schools may request additional information from a student so make sure to stay in touch with schools applied to! Materials and resources can be found below.
Senior Activities & Events
Seniors should continue to check their Class of 2026 Schoology folder for important updates and announcements about end-of-year Senior activities and event information! See below for what was already mailed home:
May 1 Decision Day
June 11 and 12 Cap and Gown Pick-up at IHS
June 12 Powderpuff Game at 2:45 pm – 3:30 pm
June 18 Senior Car Parade at 6:00 pm
June 13 Senior Ball at Rochester Yacht Club in Irondequoit 7:00 – 10:00 pm
June 15 Senior Elementary School Visits
Seneca, Colebrook, Listwood: 9:40 am – 10:30 am
Brookview, Southlawn, Briarwood: 10:30 am – 11:20 am
June 18 Graduation Rehearsal at 1:00-2:00 pm in IHS Gym (mandatory)
June 21 Graduation at RIT at 10:00 am
(students will board buses at IHS between 7:45 am – 8:00 am to ride together to RIT)
More dates/events may be added. More information on these events will be sent home at a later date.
Class of 2026 Senior Newsletter:
Financial Aid/Scholarship Resources
Financial Aid Night 2025 was on November 12th - the recording of the presentation is linked below!
CSS Profile
The College Scholarship Service or CSS profile is an online application used by colleges and scholarship programs to award non-federal institutional aid, and is required by some colleges/universities to be completed in addition to the FAFSA. This form is available now through the following link. Please check the individual college requirements to determine if this is something your student needs to complete.
Scholarships
Scholarships can be found through our College and Career Center (or this link) or through the search engine websites below.
College and Career Center
Make sure to visit our College and Career Center to work with Ms. Bucciarelli in all things career planning! She supports students with their career exploration through job shadowing/volunteer experiences and connecting students with local business and organizations. Students can earn credit for working through our popular Work Study Programming. Keep your eye out for Future Friday events where businesses from the area come to meet with our students during lunch periods. Learn more through the Career Connections Newsletter!
Upcoming Events
Event Information
Event Information
Additional Resources
Safe Schools Hotline
See something? Say something! Safe School Hotline is an annonymous tip line to report any concerns regarding student well-being and safety in WISCD.
Mental Health Crisis Hotlines
If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, these resources are available 24/7 to provide immediate help!
Call 211
If you need assistance locating long-term mental health resources, talking through a problem, or exploring mental health treatment options, call 211 to speak with a live person who can help.
- 211 conversations are confidential, can be made anonymously, and are available in 180 languages upon request.
- If you prefer to text, use web chat, or search for resources online, click here to find more ways to contact your local 211.
988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
Dial 988 or 1-800-273-8255 for the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. 988 has been designated as the new three-digit dialing code that will route callers to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (now known as the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline). When people call, text, or chat 988, they will be connected to trained counselors that are part of the existing Lifeline network. These trained counselors will listen, understand how their problems are affecting them, provide support, and connect them to resources if necessary.
New York State Crisis/Text Line
Text GOT5 to 74171
The Trevor Project (Confidential and free LGBTQ crisis line):
Suicide Hotline - 1-866-488-7386 or text START to 678678
Substance Abuse Prevention Counselor
Nicole Corcimiglia, Substance Abuse Prevention Counselor
Below is a referral form for anyone who may be interested in connecting with Mrs. Corcimiglia or referring someone to get some support in working with her:
Looking for a Therapist or Counseling Provider?
If you're looking to connect with an outside therapist or counseling provider, Psychology Today is an excellent resource to search for local providers that accept your insurance. Click this link to visit their website and start your search!
Please see attachments below for additional mental health resources in the community.
Check out our Virtual Calming Room!
Feeling overwhelmed, stressed, or just looking for a mental break? Visit our Virtual Calming Room to find tools for managing emotions!