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Wildcat Growl
October 15, 2023
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,
‘Good Luck’ to Maggie Bichelmeyer and Kenzie Laster as they compete in the first round of the KSHSAA 5A State Golf tournament in Hutchinson, Kansas, on Monday, October 16th.
Congratulations to the Boys and Girls Cross Country teams for winning the United Kansas Conference. 1st Team UKC Honors went to Hope Marriott, Brooke Bundt, Addison Gillespie, Vance Krudwig, and Luke Swarts. 2nd Team Honors include Kat Meyer, Taya Swarts, Harrison Purkey, Luke Vogt, and Lyndon Budimliga. Honorable Mention included Devin Murrell, Collin Champlain, and Connor Jacober. Coach Jack Sachse was named UKC co-coach of the Year for Cross Country. Both teams look to qualify for the 5A State Cross Country meet as they travel to the Topeka-Shawnee North Community Center on Saturday, October 21st. Good Luck, Wildcats!
Information about the various activities we have planned for FutureReady Day - on Tuesday, the 17th of October is included below. Student permission slips are required in order to participate in the DHS-planned college visits. The senior college visit/job shadow forms will be due Friday, October 27th. Students remaining at DHS in the afternoon will need to sign up for an activity via Minga Flextime.
Information about the Class of 2024 graduation ceremony can be viewed on our website (here). This year, the gauntlet will start at 5:30 p.m., with the ceremony beginning at approximately 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 18th.
A representative from Jostens will meet with our senior class to discuss ordering graduation packages including announcements, and the required cap, gown, and stole needed for the ceremony during seminar on Thursday, October 19th.
The end of the school year's first quarter is Thursday, October 19th. After teachers submit quarter 1 grades, they will be posted to Skyward on Tuesday, October 24th.
Just a reminder that we do not have school on Friday, October 20th, and Monday, October 23rd.
Semester final exams are scheduled to begin Monday, December 18th, and end Thursday, December 21st. Winter Break begins on December 22nd. If students have to leave town prior to or during finals week, they will need to work with the teacher to make up the final within two weeks of their return (not before).
Several links to important information have been included below.
Thanks, and have a great week.
Sam Ruff
Principal
De Soto High School
Future Ready Day, October 17th
Future Ready Day, October 17th, is just around the corner. We are excited about the opportunities that DHS students will have that day.
On the morning of October 17th, Freshmen and Sophomores will take the PreACT. Testing room locations will be posted in the commons by Thursday, October 12th. Students will need to check those locations before the morning of October 17. These locations will also be communicated to students in their seminars on October 16. Testing date, students will need to report to those rooms when arriving at school.
Juniors and Seniors who have signed up to take the ACT on October 17, will need to check their room locations in the commons. On the morning of October 17, those juniors and seniors will report to the assigned location. The majority of juniors and seniors who are taking the ACT will be in the social studies hallway. Seminar teachers will also have the room locations to communicate to the students the Monday before.
We have a variety of college visits planned for juniors who are not taking the ACT. Last week, juniors were asked to complete a survey indicating where they would like to go for a college visit. Students had a choice to attend JCCC, KCKCC, University of Missouri Kansas City (UMKC), Emporia State, Northwest Missouri State, Pitt State, K-State, or KU. Permission slips for these visits will be coming home soon and need to be returned on October 10. Students can bring money to purchase lunch from the postsecondary institution cafeteria, bring their own lunch, or sack lunches will be available for pickup from our cafeteria.
Also on October 17th, most of the senior class will explore future opportunities through a job shadow or individually planned college visits. Some of our students are taking the ASVAB, a Military Services assessment. Job Shadow/College Visit forms for seniors are due October 27th. We are thankful to our staff for assisting us in providing these opportunities for our students – and thankful to our students for representing DHS well.
Enrichment Activities – Afternoon
On the afternoon of the 17th, teachers will be facilitating differentiated activities covering a wide variety of areas. During this time, students can explore topics of interest they may not be exposed to during traditional class times.
During seminar on Monday, October 9th, Students will use Minga Flextime Manager to sign-up for the sessions they want to attend. Each session will be approximately 45 minutes in length. Students are expected to sign up for three total activities and attend all activities for which they are registered.
Below are examples of several activities that will be offered. We are excited about the opportunities available to students on this day.
Admissions and Scholarship Essay Writing
Preparing for Your College Experience
Disc Golf Basics
Whys and Ways to Travel Abroad
Turn Your Hobby into a Business
Hour of Code
If you have any questions, reach out to Cat Monroe, School Improvement Specialist, cmonroe@usd232.org
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.
Bullying and Online Harassment
Cat Booster Club
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
Wichita State University Scholarship Competition
Applications are now open for Wichita State's annual scholarship competitions for the senior class of 2024! A variety of scholarships are awarded to competition participants, including three of the largest scholarships in Kansas! See link below for information and participation requirements for each competition. Students should be admitted to Wichita State by October 15 and submit scholarship competition materials by November 1 to compete.
https://www.wichita.edu/admissions/undergraduate/dsi.php?scrlybrkr=5d272641
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.