![page background](https://cdn.smore.com/u/backgrounds/custom_bg-5dfbcd1654d0f20ec56332ba-dbed3acd6ecb.jpg)
Wildcat Growl
January 22, 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
Wildcat Family,
The week of January 30th is Winter Homecoming at DHS. On Friday, February 3rd, we will hold an all-school Pep Assembly during seminar. The basketball games take place that evening. The dance is scheduled for February 4th from 8:00 PM -10:30 PM. The theme is ‘Snow Ball Dance’. The dress for this event is semi-formal.
DHS will be hosting Future Wildcat Night for current 8th-grade students and parents on Tuesday, January 31st from 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm. We will begin the evening with an extra/co-curricular and club Activity Fair from 6:30 pm - 7:00 pm. Current DHS students will also be on hand to provide school tours.
The academic transition presentations will begin at 7:00 pm, and parents and students are encouraged to attend the presentation location based on the last name of the student. Please park on the north side of the building and enter the Activity Entrance.
Student Last Names:
- A-G – Student Union with Michelle Mages and Crissy Johns
- H-N – Performing Arts Center with Sam Ruff and Abbey Heller
- O-Z – Main Gymnasium with Abby Huggins and Kaitlin Britt
Parent Teacher Conferences are scheduled to take place on Wednesday, February 15th from 3:30 pm – 7:30 pm, and Thursday, February 16th from 9:30 am – 8:00 pm.
PT Conference Formats:
Wednesday, February 15th – Teachers will be available at tables in the Commons and in the Aux Gym at DHS for in-person conferences on a first come first served basis from 3:30 pm – 7:30 pm. Please note that we will take a break from conferences from 4:30 pm to 5:00 pm for staff to eat dinner.
Thursday, February 16th – Teachers will be available by appointment only for in-person or virtual (Zoom) conferences from 9:30 am – 8:00 pm. Directions on how to reserve/select an appointment time through Skyward Family Access will be sent out in the coming weeks.
Many of our teachers are hard at work planning for our first Spotlight-DHS. Mark your calendars as this event will take place during the evening of April 26th. During this community open house event, all senior students will be recognized and celebrated for their post-secondary plans, and we will showcase many of our outstanding student projects and activities. We hope to see you there.
Semester 2 Final Exams are scheduled to take place for Seniors May 12th - 17th. Underclassmen Final Exams are scheduled the following week, May 22nd and 23rd (full days), and May 24th and 25th (half days). While Final Exams are four months away, we want to let you know the dates. It will be important that students are present during the last few days of the school year.
Thanks, and have a great week!
Sam Ruff
Principal, DHS
Wednesday, January 25th Collaborative Team Time Late Start
Our Wildcats (Nic Weaver and Cael Province) are the 2-speaker State Runner-ups!
Debate Accolades
This weekend we concluded our policy debate season at the state tournament held in Topeka.
We have had an immensely successful debate regular season including...
-2 individual speaking awards
-16 teams medaling within their divisions through invitational tournaments
-1 sweepstakes trophy
-6 students qualifying for the state 2-speaker tournament
-5 students qualifying for the state 4-speaker tournament
-4 students qualifying for the Kansas Debate Classic all-classifications debate championship
We had an even more rewarding post season including...
-Olivia Frick & Chloe Weber medaling at the all-classifications Novice State tournament
-Kate Hileman, Dylan Handley, Henry Walawender, Brooklynne Clark, & Tyler Gillespie being 5A Regional Champions (first in school history) eventually placing 6th at state
-Claire McGinn & Kennedy Farrier finishing as octafinalists in the KSHSAA 5A 2-speaker debate tournament earning themselves medals
-Cael Province & Nic Weaver finishing as the KSHSAA 5A STATE RUNNER-UPS in 2-speaker debate (first in school history!!!) earning a trophy for DHS!
Huge thank you to Amanda Sweet and Jeannine Lopez for their work on our coaching staff helping our program grow and thrive. Another thank you to all of you who have encouraged our debaters and recognized them for their hard work throughout the season!
Attendance Information
We want to share some important information and reminders for parents. We added a new Attendance Office to the north student entrance (door #21). This new 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.
All State Honor Band
Congratulations to the following students who were selected to the KMEA All-State Band, Orchestra and Jazz Band:
KMEA All-State Jazz Band:
Nic Weaver Trumpet 2nd Chair
Aidan Hamer Trombone 1st Chair
KMEA All-State 5-6A Band
Nick Maskil Trombone 1st Chair
Gavin Billinger Trombone 6th Chair
Dylan Handley Euphonium Alternate
KMEA All-State Orchestra
Ryan Lange French Horn 8th Chair
Cole Bichelmeyer Trumpet 3rd Chair
These students will be performing at this year’s KMEA Inservice in Wichita at the end of February. We are proud of every student that auditioned.
Science Olympiad Invitational Results
On Saturday, January 7th, the DHS science olympiad team competed in the Pembroke Hill invitational tournament at Pembroke Hill Upper School. Twenty-eight area high schools competed in 23 events ranging from building and engineering challenges to knowledge and skills testing across the scientific disciplines. The team is heavily involved in other activities, so we continue to be shorthanded at tournaments. Despite our low numbers, the team brought home placing ribbons in five events:
-5th Place in Fermi Questions
-5th Place in Forensics
-6th Place in Astronomy
-6th Place in Detector Building
-6th Place in Green Generation
Worth mentioning is that a majority of these placements were won by sophomore members Diego Diaz and Evan Johnsson, who have worked hard over the past two years to finally earn their first ribbons (and some of them singlehandedly) in challenging events. Our senior members Alex Boresow and Lauren Fandre earned the other top placements. Other participants who helped contribute to our overall 13th ranking out of 28 teams include Daniel Morozov, Isabella Holwick, Isabelle Butler, Devin Murrell, and Matthew Barber.
Our next competition is the regional tournament at JCCC on Saturday, February 25th.
School Meals
Homework Request Information
When your student is absent from school, please encourage your student to reach out to teachers requesting assignments missed due to the absence. Certainly, parents can also reach out to teachers, but part of becoming a self-directed independent learner is communication, being organized, and advocating for yourself. If your student is experiencing a longer-term absence (a week or more), our counselors are available to assist in this process.
The Diamond Dancers participated in a competition at Miss Kansas!
Need to contact 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
Power Prep ACT Test Prep
For more information and to register for the event click here.
Kansas ScholarShop
In partnership with Sallie Mae, Kansas State Treasurer’s office has launched the Kansas ScholarShop initiative. ScholarShop aims to restore hope and excitement for students seeking educational and career advancement after high school. With access to 6 million scholarships worth up to $30 billion; students can search and find scholarships, grants and awards tailored specifically to their deepest passions. For more information visit: https://kansascash.ks.gov/scholarshop.html
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.