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Wildcat Growl
August 6, 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,
The start of the 2023-2024 school year is right around the corner and we are excited to get the year underway. This week's "Principal's Message" portion of the newsletter is packed with important information. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.
We are pleased to announce that we will welcome seven new staff members to DHS this year. Each will be highlighted in the GROWL over the next few weeks. This week, we want to introduce April Bergkamp. As a member of our Math Department, Mrs. Bergkamp will be teaching Honors Integrated Math 1 and Integrated Math 1. We also want to welcome Maddy Langford to DHS. Ms. Langford joins our English Department and will be teaching English 9 and Creative Writing.
Not new to DHS, we will also welcome back, Mike Sullivan! Mr. Sullivan is returning to us after being deployed as a member of the US Army. Welcome back, and thank you for your service!
We are hosting an Open House for 9th-grade students and parents on August 7th from 6:00 pm-8:00 pm. We will begin with a brief presentation in the Performing Arts Center (PAC), followed by an Activity Fair in the auxiliary gym and an opportunity for students and parents to walk the building. Thank you to the Student A & M Crew members that will assist at this event.
The first day for 9th-grade students is Wednesday, August 16th. We call this day Wildcat Kick-off. This is a half day of school. Doors will open at 7:30 am and the day begins at 7:50 am. Students will be dismissed at 11:07 am. Students will only need to bring something to write with for Wildcat Kick-off (laptops/bookbags are not needed). Students will also receive a Forever Green T-shirt to keep/wear for a class picture taken at Wildcat Kick-off.
Traffic Pattern: The DHS traffic patterns before the school day and at dismissal are posted on our website. With beginning drivers, busses, and students walking from the lot into the building, we can't stress enough the need for increased awareness and a reduction of speed while in our parking lot. If you drop off and/or pick your student up from DHS, we ask that you pull as far forward along the curb as possible before stopping your vehicle. Thank you.
Students/families who qualify financially will be eligible to receive free or reduced-price meals for the 2023-2024 school year. Families may complete an Application for Free or Reduced Price School Meals online at skyward.usd232.org or by completing a paper copy. If a family has already received communication that their child(ren) qualifies for free or reduced-price meals, a Consent for Disclosure/Waiver must be completed in order to receive a reduction in school fees or transportation.
The first full day for all students is Thursday, August 17th, and will be a Green Day. Doors open at 7:30 am, and classes start at 7:50 am. A senior class meeting will take place in the PAC during Seminar. Students are dismissed at 2:55 pm.
The De Soto High School Athletic Department will be hosting our annual All Sports Information Night on Thursday, August 17th, at 6:00 pm in the PAC. If you have a student-athlete participating in any sport at DHS then you should plan on attending.
Friday, August 18th will be our first all-school assembly during seminar. We will be on the assembly bell schedule.
The deadline for Juniors/Seniors to register to take the fall ACT at DHS on October 17th during Future Ready Day was extended to August 18th. Please review the previous Skyward communication, sent 08/01/2023 at 5:00 pm for details.
Schedule Change Requests: Draft student schedules are currently available to view online in Skyward. Please note that students' schedules will not be finalized until the end of the day on August 15th for 9th graders and the end of the day on August 16 for 10th-12th graders. If a student does not have a full schedule (usually due to conflicts or course availability), their counselor will contact the student to set up an appointment prior to the first day of school. Students with a full schedule, who would like to request a schedule change will need to fill out the Schedule Change Request Form. The form becomes available to students on August 18th at 3:00 PM in Student Services. The deadline to submit the schedule change form will be 3:00 PM on August 22nd.
Back to School/Parent Information Night: DHS will host Parent Information Night at 6:00 pm on Thursday, August 24th. We will begin the evening with a brief welcome in the Main Gymnasium, then parents are invited to follow their student's schedules to hear basic information about their classes from teachers. It will be important for parents to bring a copy of their student's schedule that includes room numbers. We hope you will be able to join us.
Senior Parents: If your senior is in a fall activity (volleyball, football, cross country, girls golf, boys soccer, girls tennis, cheer, dance, or band) and you would like to purchase an ad in the fall sports program, please open the Sports Program - Senior Ads link below. If you have questions, contact athletic director Michelle Mages at mmages@usd232.org. August 25th is the deadline for submitting these ads!
Site Council: Site Council at DHS is a small group of parents, teachers, and students who will meet to discuss the DHS School Improvement Goals, plan and host an Academic Recognition Banquet in the spring, and support Gradfest. We aim to have 1-3 parents per grade level on the council. Meeting dates and times will be determined at the first meeting of the school year. We are looking to add parents of 9th-grade students to the council. Our hope is that parents remain members of the group throughout their student's four years. If you are a 9th-grade parent/guardian and have an interest in assisting, please complete this form. Students on the council are selected from the pool of students applying to be on the District Student Advisory Council. The District Student Advisory Council applications become available once school begins.
Thanks, and have a great week.
Sam Ruff
Principal
De Soto High School
Bullying and Online Harassment
Attendance Procedure and Tips
We want to share some important information and reminders for parents. The Attendance Office is just inside the north student entrance (door #21). This student-only entrance/exit will be where students should be dropped off or picked up during the school day (7:50 am - 2:55 pm). Visitors will continue to use the Main Entrance on the south side of the building.
Please remember to call DHS, preferably before 10:00 am on the day of an absence if your student is absent. 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 a physician/medical/dental appointment verify the appointment by turning in an appointment note/slip from the healthcare provider. This helps us ensure the absence is excused rather than considered as a parent request. Students need to turn the note into the Attendance Office within 48 hours after returning from the appointment.
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
Black & Veatch Engineering Explorer Post 2023 - 2024 Kickoff Meeting
Explorer Post Kickoff Meeting
Date: Tuesday, August 22, 2023
Time: 7:00 – 8:30 PM
Location: 11401 Lamar Ave, Overland Park, KS 66211
Entrance: South Side Main Entrance
Link for the Youth Explorer application - http://www.exploring.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/524-00919-Exploring-Youth-App_Oct-2019-Printing.pdf
Link for the Adult Explorer application (required for students 18 years old and older) - http://www.exploring.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/524-01019-Exploring-Adult-App_Oct-2019-Printing.pdf
Youth Protection Training (required for students 18 years old and older) - https://www.scouting.org/training/youth-protection/
Before the meeting starts at 7:00 PM, students will have the opportunity to check in, complete the student application for the program, and meet the Explorer Post Advisors at the Black & Veatch campus. Students can also use the link(s) above to complete the application beforehand to bring to the Kickoff meeting. Please see the attached general info flyer for application and application fee information. During the meeting, students will learn more about the Explorer Post program and what we have planned for each month and throughout the year.
Below is the program schedule for this year. Please let me know if you have any questions, and thank you so much!
2023-2024 CALENDAR
August 22 – Kickoff Meeting
Sep. 12 – College Night
Oct. 10 – Mechanical Engineering
Nov. 7 – Electrical Engineering
Dec. 12 – Computer Engineering
Jan. 9 – Chemical Engineering
Feb. 13 – Nuclear Engineering
March 12 – Civil Engineering
April 9 – Construction Engineering
May 7 – Aerospace Engineering
*Dates and topics are subject to change.
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.