Wildcat Growl
May 21, 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,
Congratulations to the Class of 2023! We are lucky to have so many outstanding students, now alumni, as part of our school community. Thank you to members of DHS Voce for singing the National Anthem. Thanks to Tyler Gillespie, Lauren Pratt, Emily Breit, and Mr. Lynn Hoffman for speaking at the ceremony. I also want to extend gratitude to all the people that assisted with our ceremony at the stadium. Thank you.
If you are interested in purchasing the picture of your graduate at the graduation ceremony -here is the link. It may take up to two weeks for the pictures to be uploaded to the site.
Last Wednesday, we celebrated the Class of 2023 during the Senior Awards in the De Soto Performing Arts Center (PAC). Over 168 seniors were recognized.
On Friday, after the senior breakfast and graduation rehearsal, we held an all-school assembly in which senior, Renae Kohles and Mr. Scott Sharp spoke to the student body. After this, the Class of 2024 transitioned into their new role as student leaders of our school. They heard from the 2023-2024 Student Council President, Violet Conley, and Mr. Matt Rice.
Congratulations to the DHS Baseball Team! They defeated Blue Valley Southwest en route to a Regional Championship, qualifying them for the state tournament. They will play at Wichita State University at 11:00 AM on Thursday, May 25th. Good Luck, team!
Congratulations to the Boys and Girls Track and Field Teams! The Girls Team finished 2nd in the Regional, and multiple Wildcats qualified for the State Track Meet held at Cessna Stadium on the campus of Wichita State University, on May 26th and the 27th.
Members of the DHS Boys Golf team, Tate Atkinson, Bret Thurlow, and Will Kerr, tee off at the State Golf Meet on Monday, May 22nd at Turkey Creek Golf Course in McPherson, Kansas. Good Luck, Wildcats!
Congrats to members of the DHS Girls Swim Team. They competed in the KSHSAA 5A State Swim meet. Taya Swarts finished 7th in the 50 Free, and 11th in the 100 Free. The 400 Free Relay team of Taya Swarts, Alli Tate, Kimmy Ippel, and Lydia Cross placed 15th. They also placed 15th in the 200 Free Relay. Nice job, ladies!
Congrats to our E-Sports Team! Antonio Miranda, Jordan Langford, and Trey Curtis competed in the E-Sports League National Tournament in Westport, MO on Saturday - taking 4th place. Great job!
Please take note of the second-semester final exam schedule, specifically that Wednesday, May 25th is still a Delayed Start Day.
Tuesday, May 23rd (G), Blocks 4 and 5 (Regular Bell Schedule)
Wednesday, May 24th (W), Blocks 1 and 2 (Delayed Start/Half Day Bell Schedule)
- 8:20 - 9:41 Block 1
- 9:46 - 11:07 Block 2
- 7:50 - 9:26 Block 1
- 9:31 - 11:07 Block 2
If students are absent during finals week, they will need to work with the teacher or counselor to make up the finals when they return.
Our summer office hours are Monday - Thursday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM beginning May 30th through June 8th. The offices will reopen on July 24th.
Online Enrollment for the 2023-2024 school year is now available through Skyward.
Thanks, and have a great week.
Sam Ruff
Principal
De Soto High School
Wednesday May 24th Collaborative Team Late Start
Drew Proctor, Kansas Teacher of the Year and Horizon Award Nominee from USD 232
De Soto High School Class Composites
Making a Difference Award
Making a Difference Award
Nominations are currently accepted for the Making a Difference Award. All staff members are eligible to receive this award. Making a Difference nomination form > https://bit.ly/USD232MAD
Good Luck to these teams participating at State!
A Message From Our Nurses:
End of year wrap up:
Medication in the health office needs to be picked up by the end of the school day on May 25th or our nurses will dispose of it.
Information for next year:
Immunizations: Students who will be 11th graders next year will need at least one dose of the meningococcal vaccine on or after their 16th birthday, as required by KDHE. Alternatively, a religious exemption signed by a parent/guardian may be provided, or a medical exemption signed by the student’s physician. Please email updated immunizations to our nurses at the addresses below.
If your child receives any new immunizations over the summer, please send those to be recorded in Skyward to the email below. If nothing has changed and they were a student in the district last year, we do not need another copy.
Health Conditions: If your child has a new health condition, please update this information during enrollment on Skyward. If your child has diabetes, seizures, severe allergies or asthma, please complete the health intake form on Skyward enrollment or on our website. https://www.usd232.org/Page/3183 Forms may be emailed to the addresses below.
Medications: If your student will take a scheduled or as needed medication, please have their physician complete and sign this form. Medication must be in its original, labeled container. https://www.usd232.org/Page/3186
Physicals: Forms must be dated on or after May 1, 2023 and may be sent to our athletic secretary, Lori Cater lcater@usd232.org We encourage you to make a copy for yourself in case one is needed for camps outside of our district.
Have a safe and healthy summer!
Dianne & Jill
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.
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.
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
UMKC 2023 Pharmacy Summer Camp!
UMKC is hosting a a one-day, activity-packed experience giving 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 wide variety of pharmacy career practice areas! Any student who has completed 9th grade or above, current college students, or individuals looking for career change are encouraged to attend! The cost is $40 and students can choose from one of the following locations:
- Friday, June 2, Columbia, MO (University of Missouri Campus)
- Friday, June 16, Springfield, MO (Missouri State University Brick City Campus)
- Friday, June 23, Kansas City, MO (UMKC Health Sciences Campus)
For more information, visit UMKC Pharmacy Summer Camp
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.