Wildcat Growl
February 25, 2024
Our Vision:
De Soto High School ensures all students learn at a high level and have a positive sense of belonging, developing each student to be ready for their future.
Principal's Message
Wildcats and Families,
Congratulations to Nick Maskil and Keegan Flynn for participating in the KMEA Conference this weekend. Nick earned All-State and performed with the Jazz Band. Keegan also earned All-State performing with the 5-6A Band. Great Job!
The DHS Wrestling Team competed in the KSHSAA 5A State Championship at Hartman Area in Park City, Kansas over the weekend. The Wildcats qualified a team record 12 individuals for the state tournament. Two athletes medaled in the grueling three day event. Congratulations to Emerson Tjaden and Casey Bowlin - each placed 3rd in their respective weight classes. The team placed 16th overall and returns 10 of the 12 qualifiers. Congratulations on a great season.
We want to thank the Leadership and Service In Action class and DHS STUCO for organizing the 2023-2024 Big Event. With donations still coming in, $16, 200 has been raised for the Student Care Closet and other community needs. Amazing job surpassing your original goal of $12,000!
Congratulations to all of our students that participated in the United Kansas Conference Math Competition. DHS won 2 events, and placed in the top 3 in 4 events - resulting in the Wildcats winning the overall UKC Mathematics Championships. Great job!
The Boys and Girls Varsity Bowling Teams competed in the KSHSAA Regional, qualifying Kira Lynch, Avery Lovegren, and Sean Graham. The KSHSAA State Bowling Tournament Friday in Wichita. Good luck, team!
Both Varsity Girls and Varsity Boys Basketball teams begin their postseason play this week. The boys team hosts F.L. Schlagle at 7:00 PM on Tuesday, February 27th. The girls team hosts Lansing at 7:00 PM on Wednesday, February 28th. Just a reminder that DHS student/adult passes cannot be used at KSHSAA tournament events. Ticket prices are $8 for adults and $6 for students.
Spring sports start tomorrow, February 26th. Please make sure that all required Skyward forms and paperwork are complete and submitted.
On Tuesday, February 27th during G1-G3, all juniors will be taking the ACT. Room rosters are posted in the commons. Students, review the rosters report to your designated location by 7:50 AM on February 27th. Due to the ACT, we will not have morning Breakfast Club on Tuesday, February 27th.
Tickets are on sale now for our Winter Play, The Curious Savage! Performances are Thursday February 29th, Friday March 1st, and Saturday March 2nd at 7:00 PM in the Performing Arts Center.
Our counselors are busy meeting with students regarding course selection for the 2024-2025 school year. If you have not already taken care of this important task, please schedule a time to meet with your counselor. The deadline is March 6th.
The end of the third quarter is Friday, March 8th. Spring Break begins Monday, March 11th, and continues through Monday, March 18th. Students will return to a White Day on Tuesday, March 19th. The DHS main offices are closed on Friday, March 8th, from 3:30 PM through Monday, March 18th.
Families of senior and junior students interested in helping organize and run 2024 Gradfest, please contact us at sruff@usd232.org. Thank you.
Thanks, and have a great week.
Sam Ruff
Principal
De Soto High School
STUCO, Leadership In Action, and IPI Formally Open The Student Care Closet!
Wildcats Win The UKC Math Competition!
Athletic Signing Day, Wednesday, May 1st
The DHS athletic department is planning an Athletic Signing Day for Wednesday, May 1st, 2024 in the Main Gym beginning at 3:00pm.
We are currently compiling a list of students that have signed letters of intent to continue their athletic careers after high school.
If you have signed a letter of intent with a college/university, please use the link below to complete a form so the athletic department at DHS has a complete list of all students graduating in 2024 that plan to compete at the collegiate level.
Link to form: https://forms.gle/S7zjSBxYbXsyZmi86
Trades/Apprenticeship Info Night - Panasonic
Hello, USD 232 Juniors, Seniors and Parents,
As “life after high school” gets closer each day, we’re excited to invite you to a unique event highlighting a wide range of opportunities that could be available after graduation.
Please join us from 6:30-7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 6, in the De Soto High School Performing Arts Center (35000 W. 91st Street, De Soto, KS 66018). You’ll enjoy an evening of learning more about Trade Careers & Apprenticeships, and we appreciate Panasonic Energy for being the presenting sponsor of the event. Area business/industry and trade school representatives will present a variety of information about how to get involved in high-demand and high-wage trade careers with ZERO college debt. The program will wrap up with a Q&A with the audience.
RSVP and Parking Information
Students who assist their journalism programs are more than welcome to attend (note: photographs only, no video recordings).
Please RSVP here by March 4th to reserve space – https://forms.office.com/r/8Qc2NFh4Er – and see the attached map for parking information and attached event flyer.
Horizon Award
This fall the Kansas State Department of Education will allow the De Soto School District to nominate one Elementary and one Secondary teacher for the Horizon Award. The Horizon Award honors and recognizes exemplary teachers who will complete their first year this May. These spectacular teachers perform in a way that distinguishes them as outstanding. All of our 2023-2024 certified teachers who were new last August to the profession are eligible for this honor! Below you will find the guidelines for nominating a teacher:
Novice teachers who will have successfully completed their first year of teaching are eligible to be recognized. A teacher (Pre-K through grade 12) who successfully completes his/her first year of teaching by May 2024 is eligible. The Kansas Horizon Award Program is a regional competition. The regions correspond to the state’s four U.S. congressional districts.
The Kansas State Department of Education will appoint regional selection committees responsible for reviewing the nomination forms and selecting four elementary classroom teachers and four secondary classroom teachers per region for a total of 32 teachers.
The criteria for this award are:
- Nominee will have successfully completed his or her first year of teaching in a pre-kindergarten through grade 12 Kansas school accredited by the State Board of Education.
- Nominee will be a full-time classroom teacher.
- Nominee will be responsible for the assessment of students, assignment of grades, preparation of lesson plans, parent-teacher conferences, discipline, attendance, and other daily educational tasks.
- Nominee will have performed in a way that distinguishes him or her from other novice teachers.
Anyone can nominate an outstanding teacher who will complete their first year this year: administrators, teachers, and/or parents. If you would like to nominate a first year teacher go to www.usd232.org/horizonaward and follow the Horizon Award nomination link. The deadline for nominating a first year teacher is noon on March 1, 2024.
Note from the Counselors:
DHS Counselors and Social Worker
Crissy Johns (A-G): CJohns@usd232.org
Abbey Heller (H-N): aheller@usd232.org
Kaitlin Britt (O-Z): KBritt@usd232.org
Joe Kordalski (Social Worker): Rkordalski@usd232.org
True Blue ® KSHSAA Scholarship Application Process
The KSHSAA and Capitol Federal Foundation ® will award True Blue Scholarships intended to support Kansas High School graduates in postsecondary efforts. This one-time scholarship is for students graduating during the 2023-24 school year. These funds will be made payable to a two-year or four-year accredited college, university or technical school in the name of the selected student. Awards are non-renewable, one-time scholarships in the amount of $2,000 provided for a student in each activity administered by the KSHSAA. You may contact the KSHSAA at kshsaa@kshsaa.org or 785-273-5329 with any questions.
Eligibility
Students must be seniors attending and graduating from a member school of the Kansas State High School Activities Association during the 2023-24 school year and have rostered in the chosen activity their senior year. They must be considered as students in good standing as confirmed by their building principal. Students must enroll and attend a post-secondary institution of their choice as a full-time student within two years of graduation. Applicants must be in their final semester of high school. If you are a Division I bound athlete, please check with your institution about eligibility for this scholarship before applying.
Selection Criteria
The student will be selected based upon an assessment of the following components:
Community Service (30%)
· Length of service in school
· Length of service in the community
· Variety of service in school
· Variety of service in community
Academic achievement (30%)
· Cumulative GPA through 7 semesters
· Standardized test scores
· Academic awards from school or others
· College Prep/Honors level classes
Breadth of school activity participation (20%)
· Number of full seasons/years in each activity
· Number of KSHSAA sponsored activities
· Number of other school sponsored activities
Activity achievement (20%)
· Varsity level participation
· Varsity letters earned
· All-league honors
· All-state honors
Application Process
· All components of the application must be submitted digitally by 11:00 p.m. on March 1, 2024. Failure to complete submission by designated deadline will make the student ineligible for the scholarship.
· Scholarships will be awarded in categories noted online. Even though the student may participate in multiple activities, they may only apply for one category award (one application per student).
· The student shall submit a scholarship application which reflects school activity participation; this component is reviewed by a school or district administrator.
· The student shall complete an essay of no more than 500 words in response to the following prompt: "How participation in school activities has helped me become a better citizen."
· The student shall submit one reference letter reflective of community service completed by the student during their high school career.
· The student shall submit an official seven-semester high school transcript.
· The student and parent shall provide appropriate release to the selection committee to review the application materials and to approve using the name and image in local and social media if the student is selected as a scholarship winner.
· Applications may be submitted during the open application period of December 15, 2024, to March 1, 2024.
True Blue KSHSAA Scholarship Categories for all KSHSAA Activities
· 34 total scholarships, payable to post-secondary institution
· $2,000 one-time award, non-renewable
Bullying and Online Harassment
Cat Booster Club
Securly App
Parents can have peace of mind in knowing your student’s search history and time on their device. See your student’s online activity in real-time and catch up with weekly email snapshots by signing up with the Securly app. Follow the link for more information and directions.
A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO SUPPORT STUDENTS WHILE EARNING A LITTLE EXTRA INCOME
USD 232 is looking for one or more individuals to split a bus route that have either their LPN or RN licensure. We have some wonderful students with medical needs who are in need of either an LPN or RN to assist them while riding the bus to and from school. The hours are listed below and days to work flexible. If interested, please contact Sara Hoepner, Special Services Coordinator at shoepner@usd232.org, or Lee Hanson, Director of Special Services at lhanson@usd232.org, or Tara Harmon-Moore, Coordinator of Nursing Services at THarmonMoore@usd232.org for additional information. The job is also posted on our district website at https://www.applitrack.com/usd232/onlineapp/default.aspx?Category=Health+Services.