We can hardly believe that we’re now into the 2nd semester of the school year and the year 2010! This is an exciting time for all of our students and parents as we begin to think about decisions for next year.

In January, the high school counselors from Klein and Klein Collins visited with our current 8th graders at Strack to discuss their 9th grade course selections. Students were given high school packets to take home and share with their parents. Each high school also held parent meetings during January and February. All 9th grade course selection sheets were due February 5th, 2010.

We also met with our current 6th and 7th graders during the first week of February and presented their course offerings for next year. Parents had the opportunity to hear our presentations and ask questions regarding course selections at Open House on February 9th. Course selection sheets for 7th and 8th graders were due on February 12th.

Please remind your student to turn in course selection sheets for next year as soon as possible if they haven’t already done so.

In the next couple of weeks, we will be meeting with students of all grade levels to go over their course selections individually.

Finally, we welcomed our future 6th graders from Benfer, Haude, and Kuehnle on February 16th for an orientation meeting. They were treated to wonderful performances and presentations from our Strack Band, Orchestra, Choir, Theater Arts, and Art Departments in order to help them determine their elective for next year. This is always a special occasion for us to be able to see our future Strack Cougars!

As we move into Spring, we will be finalizing course selections with all of our students and we definitely appreciate your support in helping us map out your child’s future. Please don’t forget about the following deadlines regarding course selections for next year:

8th Graders-Last day for course changes will be June 11th, 2010 (notify your counselor at Strack of any change requests)

6th & 7th Graders-Last day for Elective changes will be August 6th, 2010

Strack's Counseling Department prides itself on being the "heartbeat" of the school which permeates every facet of the education program. The counselors' goals are to strive to:

*give every individual a feeling of self-worth and dignity,

*help every individual understand and accept himself,

*enable every individual to fully develop his/her potential, and

*help every individual achieve greater self-direction in situations where he/she must exercise choice.

The ultimate goal is to facilitate the greatest possible degree of self- realization for each student.

The Strack Counselors are involved in all aspects of student life. Counseling activities focus on providing direction for:

• decision-making
• goal-setting
• social skills
• peer pressure
• conflict management
• parent education