Counseling Dept.

7th Grade Team Counselors:

  • 7th Grade Team Counselors:

    • Legacy: Erika Greene (585) 392-1000, ext. 3197

    • Infinity: Erika Greene (585) 392-1000, ext. 3197

    • Destiny: Beth Letters (585) 392-1000, ext 3196 

8th Grade Team Counselors:

  • Elektra: Kristen Pignagrande (585) 392-1000, ext. 3198 

  • Agape:  Last names beginning with A-K - Kristen Pignagrande (585) 392-1000, ext. 3198;
    last names beginning with L-Z - Beth Letters, (585) 392-1000, ext. 3196

  • Civitas: Last names beginning with A-K - Kristen Pignagrande (585) 392-1000, ext. 3198;
    last names beginning with L-Z - Beth Letters, (585) 392-1000, ext. 3196    

Additional Counseling Staff:

  • Meghan Kleehammer, School Psychologist

  • Katie Kunkle, Social Worker/Prevention Counselor (585) 392-1000, ext. 3095

  • Loreen Masters,  Counseling Administrative Assistant (585) 392-1000, ext. 3191

  • Jennifer Ricotta, Social Worker/Prevention Counselor (585) 392-1000, ext. 3194

  • Joanne Shearn, Counseling Administrative Assistant (585) 392-1000, ext. 3192

Merton Williams School Counseling Program is a comprehensive developmental program geared toward meeting the needs of young adolescents. Adolescence is often a time of enormous change and growth for young people. Having counselors available to support and guide our students through the academic, social and emotional challenges inherent in middle school is critical to the well-being of individuals, while at the same time positively influencing school climate.

How students access their school counselor:

  • Parent referral

  • Teacher referral

  • School administration referral

  • Self-referral-students are made aware of all the counseling services available to them during a classroom presentation at the beginning of the school year. During this presentation students complete a needs assessment to let the school counselors know if they are interested in counseling services.

  • Appointment slips are available in the Counseling Office. Students are made aware of these slips during the counseling presentations.

The purpose of school counseling is to support students to:

  • Foster self-understanding and self-awareness

  • Develop stress management and coping skills

  • Express emotions in a healthy way

  • Learn self-advocacy skills

  • Explore career and higher learning opportunities

  • Achieve academic success

  • Explore extracurricular activities

  • Discuss home and family stressors and learn positive coping.

  • Develop appropriate social skills

  • Learn to develop positive peer relationships

Services Available:

  • Individual counseling

  • Parent consultations

  • Academic advisement

  • Group counseling

  • Mediations between peers

  • Teacher/administration consultations and collaboration

  • Connection to outside resources

*All counseling services are voluntary and confidential.