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Wildcat Growl
January 8, 2021
Future Ready Wildcats
De Soto High School staff and students endeavor to model the following core values:
INTEGRITY, INQUIRY, COMMUNICATION, PERSEVERANCE, and REFLECTION.
Principal's Message
Wildcat Students and Families,
Congratulations to Katelynn Ostronic and Hayden Henderson! Both have been named the December Students of the Month. Hayden and Katelynn are previous CLASS Award recipients and involved in multiple activities at DHS.
We’d also like to congratulate Kari Streeter and Rome Poracsky. Kari is our Food Service/Kitchen Manager and Rome is a teacher in our Special Services department. Both have been named the December DHS Wildcats of the Month. We appreciate all they do for DHS!
The end of the first semester is next Friday, January 15th. All students will check into their White 1 teacher for attendance at 7:50 AM. Once attendance has been taken, students will be released to visit as needed with teachers using their Zoom link for Seminar. Teachers will be available until 11:00 AM.
The second semester begins Wednesday, January 20th with students returning to the hybrid schedule. The January hybrid schedule can be viewed on our website (here).
As of this evening, Course Selection for the 2021-2022 school year is open through students’ IPS Canvas course. Here is an overview video that outlines each of the four steps in our course selection process.
The steps include:
1. View the Course Selection Video Presentation
2. Fill Out Course Selection Form and Submit in Canvas
3. Input Course Selections in Skyward
4. Schedule Meeting to Discuss Course Selections with Counselor
Parents and students are encouraged to sit down together to review all the information available (Course Guide, Course Selection form, graduation requirements). Course selections should fit their post-secondary and personal interests. As shared above, counselors will be meeting with students to finalize the process.
The deadline for current 10th and 11th graders to submit their course selection forms in Canvas is Friday, January 22nd.
The deadline for freshmen to submit their Course Selection form is Friday, February 19th.
If you have any questions regarding course selection, please contact your student’s counselor.
This month, we are beginning a video series called “Habits of Mind.” It will be shared with parents in the GROWL each Friday and with students on the following Monday. It will be a 3-5 minute video highlighting a topic surrounding the domains of Social/Emotional Learning (SEL), which our social worker, Mr. Joe Kordalski, goes into below.
Examples of weekly topics are perseverance, flexibility, humor, and accepting change.
Click here to view the introduction to the video series from Mr. Joe: https://youtu.be/BLn2b5IyxFQ and see below for this month’s first topic – communication.
We hope this series will be helpful to our students and families.
Kind Regards,
Sam Ruff,
Principal
PSAT Practice Session 2021
PSAT Practice Session 2021
Mr. Hamilton and Mr. Kaul
Two Morning Sessions of Preparation
for Sophomores and Juniors
Total Fee: $60 (includes workbook and both sessions)
Meeting from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm in the DHS Union on
Saturday, January 16 and Saturday, January 23
Registration is due Wednesday, January 13th
Make checks payable to Phil Hamilton and pay at the first session.
Questions? Email Mr. Hamilton at prhamilton@usd232.org
Paraprofessional Substitutes needed!
USD 232 is in need of paraprofessional substitutes who are flexible and willing to substitute throughout the district on an as needed basis. Stay-at-home parents make great substitute paraprofessionals! The ideal candidate is caring, compassionate and dedicated to the students’ success by looking for ways to support the teacher and making a positive difference in the lives of our children. Becoming a para sub is a great way to support the district, our students and our teachers which is needed now more than ever.
To learn more about becoming a substitute paraprofessional for the district, please speak with your Principal or contact Human Resources at the USD 232 District Office. Ready to apply? Click here > Paraprofessional Substitutes for USD 232
Attendance Procedure and Tips
You can also call in a prearranged absence ahead of time. The 24-hour attendance voicemail
is 913-667-6259. We also ask that students missing school as a result of an appointment to verify the appointment by turning in an appointment note/slip. This helps us ensure the absence is excused rather than considered as a parent request. Students can turn the note into the school office when they return from the appointment or email the attendance secretary at mpartlowwilliams@usd232.org.
Face Mask Facts
Face masks are required to be properly worn by all individuals in K-12 schools by Kansas Executive Order 20-59.
Wearing a mask is an important tool to help reduce the spread of COVID-19. This evidence-based approach is supported by the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, and the Johnson County Department of Health and Environment.
In compliance with the state order, USD 232 requires the wearing of masks at all times, with few exceptions. Exemption requests will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis and require medical verification. Requests can be made by contacting our nurse at 913-667-6250 or mfarverlightcap@usd232.org.
American Legion of Kansas Boys State
Every year, the American Legion of Kansas offers an opportunity for students in Kansas. It is a week-long leadership opportunity where young men will:
- Distinguish you in the competition for college admissions and scholarships
- Expand leadership and problem-solving skills that will help you throughout life
- Give you a huge head start in your senior government class
- Introduce you to some of the smartest, most motivated high school students in Kansas
- Establish lifelong friendships
- Who – Male Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors in the top half of their class;
What – The American Legion Boys’ State of Kansas;
When – Sunday, June 6 through Saturday, June 12, 2021;
Where – Kansas State University in Manhattan;
Why – For Democracy to work, we must learn how to work together;
How – Apply at American Legion Boys' State of Kansas ... (ksbstate.org)
If you are interested in this program and need a sponsor to help pay for the cost, please contact Mrs. Johns at cjohns@usd232.org.
KCKCC What to Expect Wednesdays:
Join KCKCC on Wednesday nights at 6 P.M. on the KCKCC Admissions Facebook page for a Live interactive event, "What to Expect Wednesdays"! Join our Admission Coordinators as they dive into topics like the enrollment process, college terms and how to get involved. The Coordinators will answer questions from parents and students as they come in live! This is a great way for students and parents to get started on their transition into the collegiate experience!
Students who signed up for the PSAT on January 26th
Student Guide booklets will not be available until after January 15th. If students would like to access the Student Guide book online to help prepare for the test, please click the link below.
More detailed information will be shared with students after break.
https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/pdf/psat-nmsqt-student-guide.pdf
Dropping off forms or items for your student?
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.
Congratulations!
Good Luck Teams!
Good Luck!
Habits of the Mind
DHS families,
In the coming week De Soto High School will introduce a web based video series called, Habits of Mind. The purpose of the series is to further support our student’s Social/Emotional Learning. (SEL). According to CASEL; the Collaborative for Academic Social and Emotional Learning, SEL is:
“SEL is the process through which children and adults understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions. “
The weekly video and messaging to families in The Growl will vary in content while sticking to the main SEL domains. The five domains of SEL are; self-awareness, self-management, responsible decision making, relationship skills, and social awareness.
Your student will receive an email on Monday mornings with a 3–5 minute video introducing the theme for the week and concept to work on independently. Parents will receive this in addition to other resources relevant to the week’s Habits of Mind topic on the preceding Friday in The Growl.
Feel free to reach out to me if you need something.
Take care,
Joe Kordalski, LMSW
667-6250 x. 2434
Click here for next weeks students video
Habits of the Mind YouTube VideoDistrict Recommendation for Students Returning from Quarantine or Isolation
If a student is gone from school due to a COVID-19 quarantine or isolation, the district is recommending that students disinfect their textbooks, library books and MacBook at home before coming back to school.
Thank you.