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"Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts."
Winston Churchill
Welcome to the Brimfield High School Counseling Department!
Welcome to the Brimfield High School Counseling Department!
The purpose of the BHS Counseling site is to keep all students and families informed. Announcements and updates will be shared regularly through this website, social media, and to student/parent emails.
Announcements & Important dates
Announcements & Important dates
Career/College Experiences and Field trips
Sign-ups for field trips are sent out to students in all grades with priority given to Juniors and Seniors.
Colleges, military branches, and local businesses will visit Brimfield High School monthly to share post high school opportunities. Several field trips will be planned throughout the year to provide a chance to see college campuses, tour local companies, and get hands-on experience with career fields. Please check the BHS Counseling Social Media pages to see the monthly college and career lunch visits.
September 12 ICC Agriculture, Diesel, & Horticulture Showcase
October 22 Western Illinois University LEJA Public Safety Open House
October 29 Discover 2025 Manufacturing Career Expo (Precision Planting Tour, E.P. ICC Campus)
November 13 Black Hawk East Campus Ag Visit Day
March 10 IACAC College Fair hosted at Bradley University
Spring 2026 ICC Health Careers Expo (Feb/Mar)
Updated regularly.
October 17 PSAT/NMSQT Testing Scheduled
November 18 PreACT 8/9 & PreACT Testing Window - This is an optional exam for practice.
February 5 ICC Accuplacer Test
April TBD 2026 District Testing: ACT, PreACT, PreACT 9
College Early Application Deadline
November 1 or 15 (dates can vary, check with your specific colleges)
Brimfield Local Scholarships
Scholarships will be shared with students once they are made available by sponsors.
January TBD Expected timeframe for scholarship packets to be shared
March 6 All local scholarship applications must be completed and turned in to the counselor
September 30 Senior Workshop Night @ 5:30pm
October 1 2026-27 FAFSA Application Opens - opened early on Sept. 24th!
October 22-23 P/T Conferences - Students & Parents can meet with the counselor to help with FAFSA
May 1 Financial Aid Application Deadline (Graduation Requirement)
graduation information
graduation information
Senior Sponsor: Mrs. Walser
Seniors!
Graduation requirements, senior events, and all the important dates/deadlines you need are on available in the Class of 2026 Google Classroom. Please talk with your class sponsor or counselor if you have any questions.
Also, be sure to check your school email daily for important reminders, scholarship & college announcements, and local employment & volunteer opportunities.
You can schedule a time to meet with Ms. Ross here.
BHS Counseling Social Media
BHS Counseling Social Media
Getting important information to Brimfield High School students and families is a priority and having multiple ways to share information will help to accomplish that. All things related to testing, important dates and reminders, college and career info, and mental health will be posted on the counseling social media pages, when possible.
BHS Counseling Vision & Mission statement
BHS Counseling Vision & Mission statement
The Vision of Brimfield High School’s Counseling Program is for all students to graduate with academic success, social-emotional growth, and to become college and career ready. Students will be empowered to reach their maximum potential and will gain the necessary skills to become lifelong learners that sustain personal growth and contribute to society with confidence, compassion, and empathy in an ever-changing world.
The Mission of the School Counseling Department at Brimfield High School is to provide equitable, comprehensive services that address the needs and interests of all BHS students. Our counselor is committed to maintaining the individual uniqueness of each student and skillfully uses strategic, timely, and evidence-based interventions to maximize educational experiences, enhance the development of each student's potential, and support positive life choices. In partnership with the administrators, educators, parents and guardians, and the community, the school counselor will continually advocate for a school environment that will address the academic, social-emotional, and college and career development of all students in order to ensure lifelong empowerment.
Confidentiality & Ethical Standards
Confidentiality & Ethical Standards
Counselor Confidentiality Statement
Information students share with the Counselor is confidential. The student's right to privacy is guarded as much as permitted by law, ethics, and school rules. All meetings held with the Counselor will remain confidential unless the student or parent gives permission to share information with related parties. As a Professional School Counselor, I respect the rights of confidentiality of personal information disclosed during the course of conversation between myself and students, except in the following cases:
If the student presents danger to themselves.
If the student presents danger to others.
If the student has discussed being abused or abusing others.
If required to share information by court order/subpoena.
If the student/parent gives permission for the information to be shared.
As a mandated reporter, I am bound by Federal and State law to break confidentiality in the situations mentioned above and will do so to protect our students and to remain legally and ethically true to my profession. The Professional School Counselor may consult with other school professionals but will only share information necessary to achieve the goals of the consultation.
Contact the High School Counselor
Contact the High School Counselor
Ms. Melissa Ross, LPC, NCC
📧 melissa.ross@brimfield309.com (preferred contact)
📞 309-446-3349 Ext. 1202
🗓️ BHS Students can schedule a meeting with the counselor through the Calendly app using the link/QR code posted around the school and sent to their school emails. Parents can email me directly to schedule a time to meet.
About me:
About me:
I'm excited to start my 4th year as the counselor at BHS! For the past few years, I've enjoyed being able to get to know our students, the BHS families, and the local community. When I'm not at BHS, I'm usually hanging out with my two kids. Before BHS, I worked in schools as a school therapist and mental health counselor and had the privilege of supporting students ranging from kindergarten through college-level, including students with special needs, trauma, and behavioral challenges.
It is important for me to meet students where they are in the moment, provide a safe space for all, and help students return to their classroom ready to learn. I strive to always be empathetic in my interactions, connect and build relationships, and foster resilience in our students. I always appreciate direct communication and feedback. If you have any questions/concerns, please reach out to me. I will do my best to respond in a timely manner.
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