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Wildcat Growl
April 30, 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
Wildcats and Families,
Congratulations to Hallie Scott and Weston Madden for being the April Wildcats of the Month. We also want to congratulate Tom Byers and Autumn Burks for being named the staff Wildcats of the Month for April.
Congratulations to Amanda Sweet! Mrs. Sweet has been named the Eastern Kansas National Speech and Debate Assistant Coach of the Year. Way to go, Mrs. Sweet!
On Thursday, April 29, close to 100 students participated in the first-ever De Soto High School Dance Marathon. This 4-hour fun-filled event raised over $2000 supporting the local Children's Miracle Network Hospital - KU Pediatrics and was planned by Student Council in just 4 weeks. Way to go!
Online enrollment for the 2021-2022 school year opens on May 1st. Please log in to your Skyward account and complete the process for your student(s).
Seniors, look for detailed information related to Gradfest, Senior Awards, and the Class of 2021 graduation ceremony to be emailed to you and your family early next week.
Mr. Kordalski provides information about our suicide prevention and awareness program called, Signs of Suicide in this week’s Habits of Mind article.
Kind Regards,
Sam Ruff
Principal
Habits of Mind
Wildcat Families,
This week I had the pleasure of working with 10th grade health classes to talk about mental health and the suicide prevention and awareness program called, Signs of Suicide. (SOS) DHS has been using the SOS Program for many years as a means of expanding our students understanding and awareness around mental health and suicide. I was pleased with the recent updates to the SOS videos that were made over the past year as an adaptation to viewing these materials remotely first semester. I was thankful to connect with students in person this semester to discuss these important and often sensitive topics in person.
The first of two blocks is spent providing an overview of mental health and highlights understanding how the impacts that stress, life events, coping, self-care and protective factors influence our social/emotional success. The second block reviews the SOS materials which introduce and reinforce language and steps students can take if they have concerns about a peer’s mental health and who to talk with if a peer confides that they have thoughts of self-harm or suicide. SOS introduces the steps of ACT; Acknowledge, Care and Tell. Acknowledge the information the peer is sharing in a supportive and caring way. Express care and empathy of their experience and tell a trusted adult about the concerns you have for their safety.
Please know that your Student Services Department is available to talk about concerns you may have regarding your student’s mental health.
Take care,
Joe Kordalski, LMSW
Attention Seniors: Caps and Gowns will be available for pick up May 14th during lunch
1st Annual Grad Fest
DHS will be starting a new tradition this year. We would like our Seniors to Save the Date for our 1st Annual Grad Fest. Grad Fest will be a day of outside fun for our senior class. We will have games, food trucks, and prizes.
May 20th, 2021 from 11 am to 3 pm at De Soto High School
We are looking for donations to help send our seniors off from high school with a gift.
If you are able to help please sign up using the link below.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0948aaa69-dhsgrad
*If it rains we will hold Grad Fest after Graduation Rehearsal on May 21st.
More information to come.
Allergy Season!
When the weather warms up, days are longer and the world is blooming, we all want to be outdoors more often. For students with allergy symptoms. Here are some ways you can help your student.
- Shower after spending time outdoors – prevents transfer of pollen to your bedding at night and decreases symptoms. At the very least, change clothes and was your hands and face.
- Take your shoes off at the door – reduces pollen transfer to carpets and furniture.
- Use a sinus rinse – A neti pot or over the counter sinus wash kit can help rinse allergens from your nose. Just make sure to follow directions for safe use.
- Consider a daily allergy medication – Antihistamines like Claritin, Zyrtec and Allegra can be very helpful in controlling symptoms. Nasal sprays and eye drops can also be helpful.
o Allergy medication options: http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases- conditions/ allergies/indepth/allergy-medications/art-20047403
o Why antihistamines work best when taken consistently:
https://www.webmd.com/allergies/features/pretreatment?scrlybrkr#2
o Save Benadryl (diphenhydramine) for bedtime or severe allergic reactions. It often makes students too sleepy for use during school.
- If your student is still miserable after home treatment consider consulting with your pediatrician or an allergist. There are prescription medications and other allergy treatments that may help.
Remember, the school health room does NOT have antihistamines for seasonal allergies. You must treat these at home!
Be aware that allergies sometimes present as Covid-19 symptoms and your student may be sent to the doctor to be evaluated.
FREE ACT PREP CLASS
On Saturday, June 5, Donnelly College and Open Future are partnering to offer a FREE ACT Prep test to any student who feels they would benefit from the practice. The testing will start promptly at 9 a.m. The best part about this practice test is that there will be an official test the very next weekend and another in July. The timing is great!
Here is the link to register:
UMKC Pharmacy Summer Camp 2021
What: A one-day, activity packed experience to give students a glimpse of not only what it's like to be a pharmacist, but also an opportunity to see firsthand what it's like to study at one of our three UMKC Pharmacy campuses providing hands-on exercises and the ability to learn about the variety of pharmacy career practice areas!
Who: Any student who has completed 9th grade or above, current college students, or individuals looking for career change are encouraged to attend!
When + Where:
Friday, June 4, Columbia, MO (Mizzou Campus)
Friday, June 18, Springfield, MO (Missouri State Brick City Campus)
Friday, June 25, Kansas City, MO (UMKC Health Sciences Campus)
Questions or Need More Details:
Please contact us or head to the camp web site.
Registration: Click on the link above to register.
American Legion Auxiliary Sunflower Girls State program: June 7-11th 2021, Virtually
ALA Girls State is a nation-wide, American Legion Auxiliary program, focusing on the promotion of Leadership, Americanism and good citizenship. Outstanding young women chosen to participate in the program will learn the duties and responsibilities of citizenship through hands-on participation as citizens of the state of Sunflower Girls State. The 2021 session is open to current High School Juniors and Seniors. Participants will have an opportunity to receive three college scholarships, and be selected to attend our national program, Girls Nation in July 2021. The Sunflower Girls State program receives support from citizens, civic groups, and other organizations interested in government and leadership. Speakers have included elected officials, state employees, and community volunteers. These speakers help to inspire the Sunflower Girls State Citizens to take a more active role in public service.
Girls who are interested in Leadership and Government are encouraged to attend. Since the program's inception, more than 20,000 girls have received this valuable citizenship training in Kansas.
Deadline for registration has been extended to May 31st , 2021.Participants may be sponsored by their local American Legion Auxiliary Unit or may pay their own registration. The fee to attend is $100. More information can be found in the attached poster or at www.ksgirlsstate.org .Delegates are asked to participate for about 4 hours per day.
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 – August 1st- August 7th
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.
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.