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.

Wildcats and Families,

Monday, January 13th will be a Green Day. Students should check their schedule on Skyward.

Discover Your Path to College Funding! Join the DHS AVID program from 6:00 - 8:00 PM on Monday, January 13th in the Union for an informative event designed to help you navigate the many ways of paying for college! Financial Aid Coordinators from Johnson County Community College will be onside to guide you through the FAFSA process and answer all your financial aid questions. Chose to attend sessions on uncovering scholarships and learn insider tips to make your scholarship applications shine. Don’t forget to bring a computer—this is your chance to take the first step toward your college dreams. We can’t wait to see you there!

Career Panel Series Continues: This week's featured Career Panel includes professionals from the field of Engineering. Students interested in learning more can sign up to attend during seminar on Wednesday, January 15th, via Minga Flextime. Look for DHS Career Panel - Engineering.

We are looking for professionals in the areas listed in the Career Panel Series graphic (included below). If you are interested in sharing your career story and contributing to our students' future successes, please complete this link.

This a reminder that in observance of the national holiday recognizing Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., we will not have school on Monday, January 20th. We will return to a White Day on Tuesday, January 21st.

Semester 1 grades have been posted in Skyward. Students with an incomplete need to contact their teacher to schedule a time to take the Final Exam. Due to the number of days school has been cancelled, we have extended the deadline to Friday, January 24th.

Future Wildcat Night: Academic and Activity Expo: Join us on Wednesday, February 5th, for an exciting evening to explore all that our school has to offer! The event kicks off with an information session for current 8th-grade students and their parents from 6:00 PM to 6:30 PM in the PAC. Following this session, from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM, students and parents in grades 8–11 are invited to meet our teachers and student leaders to learn about academic programs, course pathways, and extracurricular activities. This event is a great opportunity to gather the information you need to make informed decisions about course selection and activity involvement for the upcoming school year.

Course Selection, 2025-2026: During 3rd quarter, students will complete the process of course selection for the 2025-2026 school year. Directions and information will be shared via our website and Canvas in the coming weeks. Students and parents should attend the FWN: Academic and Activity Expo (2/5), review our website and course guide, and then select courses through Skyward together. Students will finish the process by meeting individually with their school counselor to discuss how their course selection fits into their Individual Plans of Study (IPS).

ACT for Junior Students: On Tuesday, February 25th, Junior students will take the ACT at DHS. More information will be coming as the date nears.

Senior Shortened Day:

1) During the school day (7:50 am - 2:55 pm), students must enter and exit the building through the attendance office doors (failure to do so will result in school consequences),

2) If a senior does not have an assigned seminar for 2nd semester but wants to meet with a teacher or is assigned to see a teacher during that time, the student will need to register via Minga and sign in through the attendance office upon arrival/departure,

3) Having a shortened schedule is contingent on regular attendance and passing all of your courses.

Future Events:

• Wednesday, January 15th: Career Panel Series: Engineering
• Monday, January 20th: Martin Luther King Jr. Day, No School
• Thursday, January 30th: World War II Veterans Assembly
• Wednesday, February 5th: Future Wildcat Night, Academic & Activities Expo
• Wednesday & Thursday, February 12th - 13th: Spring Parent Teacher Conferences

Thank you,

Sam Ruff

Principal

De Soto High School

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.

Families, the State of Kansas provided free over-the-counter covid tests, which are located in a basket in the front office. Free to take, no names or sign up required; no need to share the result with the school nurse unless you choose to do so.

This year, the DHS athletics department will be using HUDL (not NFHS) to live stream all home events. To get your subscription, use this link: https://fan.hudl.com/dhswildcatnation

Single game, monthly, or year long subscription options are available.

DHS Counselors and Social Workers

Mrs. Crissy Johns (cjohns@usd232.org): Last name A – D

Ms. Abbey Heller (aheller@usd232.org): Last name E – K

Mrs. Lainee Graham (lgraham@usd232.org): Last name L – Q

Mrs. Kaitlin Morrell (kaitlin.morrell@usd232.org): Last name R - Z

Mr. Joe Kordalski, Social Worker (Rkordalski@usd232.org)

Mrs. Debra Landis, Social Worker (dlandis@usd232.org)

Here is some information to share with families from Sources of Strength designed to support families during the winter break. The "Practicing Strengths at Home" toolkit offers conversation starters, activities, and check-ins to help families focus on building hope, resilience, and connection during this unique time. It includes fun and practical tools like gratitude practices, strength-based discussions, and self-care activities, making it an excellent resource for fostering mental well-being at home.

Additionally, don’t forget to register for our January 17th SPARK Webinar, "Kindness as Protective Factors". This session will explore how kindness can prevent school violence and foster student resilience. We hope you’ll join us for this impactful discussion.

While we plan to continue to allow students to use their mobile devices during passing periods and lunch, we would also ask that parents have a conversation with their students about appropriate use. Taking pictures or videos of other students without their consent and then sharing those pictures/videos or posting them online can be a form of social harassment or bullying, and will be handled as such. Please refer to the information posted on the district website regarding bullying and harassment. Thank you for helping us address this issue with our students.