Wildcat Growl
October 23, 2020
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
Dear Wildcats and Families,
Congrats to all the members of the Homecoming Court: Lynlee Hutchinson, Jordan Zade, Brooke Stonestreet, Mackenzie Leisten, Sean Ferrel, Garrett Kellner, Egan Putman, and Avery Hantla. Mackenzie and Garrett were named Queen and King.
Thank you to the Student Council, Lori Hughes, and Katie Meserko for organizing Homecoming week. Unfortunately, we were not able to have many of the activities we have had in the past, but we appreciate your willingness to do what we can for our students. If you have not seen the fall sports, dodgeball tournament, or the coronation ceremony videos, check them out.
We’d like to recognize Coach Justin Hoffman for being named United Kansas Conference (UKC) Tennis Coach of the Year. The Girls' Tennis Team won the conference championship this year, and Justin was honored with the recognition. Great job, Girls' Tennis!
Coach Jack Sachse was also recognized as Coach of the Year by the UKC. Coach Sachse was selected for both Girls Cross Country and Boys Cross Country after both teams won the conference championship!
We hope you signed up for Parent-Teacher Conferences next week. The virtual conferences will be held on Wednesday, October 28th from 3:30 PM – 7:30 PM, and October 29th from 9:30 AM – 8:00 PM. This is a great opportunity for parents and teachers to collaborate on the success of our students. Information was sent out by each teacher on Monday, October 19th, and the deadline to sign-up for a conference is October 23rd.
Next week’s schedule can be reviewed on our website (here). It is important to note that De Soto Cohort (A cohort) hybrid students attend in-person on Tuesday, October 27th.
On November 2nd, De Soto High School will begin offering virtual learning labs during the school day. Through a module in each core content Canvas course titled “DHS Virtual Learning Labs”, students have access to a virtual/Zoom help session by a core content teacher. Students would be able to use the learning lab to get additional assistance during the day in addition to the office hours provided by each teacher.
De Soto High School would like to welcome Mr. Lawrence Meier. Mr. Meier joins our Science Department, teaching Chemistry. We are glad Mr. Meier is part of our team.
We are looking for 2 freshmen parent volunteers interested in being on the DHS Site Council. This group meets 4 times each year to discuss programs and successes related to our building goals. Please reach out to us at sruff@usd232.org for more information.
Thank you,
Sam Ruff,
Principal
Paraprofessional Substitutes needed!
USD 232 is in need of paraprofessional substitutes who are flexible and willing to substitute throughout the district on an as needed basis. Stay-at-home parents make great substitute paraprofessionals! The ideal candidate is caring, compassionate and dedicated to the students’ success by looking for ways to support the teacher and making a positive difference in the lives of our children. Becoming a para sub is a great way to support the district, our students and our teachers which is needed now more than ever.
To learn more about becoming a substitute paraprofessional for the district, please speak with your Principal or contact Human Resources at the USD 232 District Office. Ready to apply? Click here > Paraprofessional Substitutes for USD 232
Attendance Procedure and Tips
Please remember to call DHS, preferably before 10:00 am on the day of the absence if your student is absent. This also includes Optional Remote Students.
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 an appointment to verify the appointment by turning in an appointment note/slip. This helps us ensure the absence is excused rather than considered as a parent request. Students can turn the note into the school office when they return from the appointment or email the attendance secretary at mpartlowwilliams@usd232.org.
Technology Help Desk
Please remember that the fastest way to start getting a solution to any technical issues is to contact our help desk. This is also available to all students.
Technology Help Desk
Get help with district technology
Students and Parents: You can reach our Help Desk by calling 816-382-4840.
Hours of Operation
Monday - Friday, 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Queen Candidates
Brooke Stonestreet, and Jordan Zade,
Congratulations to the DHS 2020 HOCO King and Queen
King Candidates
Sean Ferrel and Avery Hantla
Dropping off forms or items for your student?
Face Mask Facts
Face masks are required to be properly worn by all individuals in K-12 schools by Kansas Executive Order 20-59.
Wearing a mask is an important tool to help reduce the spread of COVID-19. This evidence-based approach is supported by the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, and the Johnson County Department of Health and Environment.
In compliance with the state order, USD 232 requires the wearing of masks at all times, with few exceptions. Exemption requests will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis and require medical verification. Requests can be made by contacting our nurse at 913-667-6250 or mfarverlightcap@usd232.org.
Pre-ACT Information
Due to unforeseen circumstances, the Pre-ACT dates have CHANGED:
The date is based on your student’s cohort group:
· 9th & 10th-grade Optional Remote Students - Wednesday, Oct. 28th
· 10th-grade Wildcat Cohort (last names L-Z) - Monday, Nov. 2nd
· 9th-grade Wildcat Cohort (last names L-Z) - Tuesday, Nov. 3rd
· 10th-grade De Soto Cohort (last names A-K) - Wednesday, Nov. 4th
· 9th-grade De Soto Cohort (last names A-K) - Thursday, Nov. 5th
The test will begin at 7:50 am. There will not be make-up tests offered.
What is the PreACT? The PreACT simulates the ACT testing experience within a shorter test window on all four ACT test subjects: English, math, reading and science. Results predict future success on the ACT test, and provide both current achievement and projected future ACT test scores on the familiar 1-35 ACT score scale.
Students will test in a large-group format in the gym. They will be socially distanced and required to wear a mask.
What should my student(s) bring for the test? They should bring a couple of sharpened #2 pencils (no mechanical pencils, please), a calculator, water & a snack (if they’d like).
Please make sure your student gets a good night’s sleep and eats breakfast before coming to school to test.
If you have any questions about the test, please reach out to your student’s counselor.
PSAT UPDATE
PSAT UPDATE
DHS is pleased to announce that the PSAT/NMSQT test will take place on January 26, 2021 for all sophomores and juniors who wish to take the exam. The January administration will have the same benefits as the October PSAT/NMSQT, including eligibility for programs administered by National Merit Scholarship Corporation.
Be on the lookout in November for registration information and procedures. For more information about the PSAT/NMSQT visit https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/psat-nmsqt-psat-10
College Fair
Upcoming College Fair:
The National Association of College Admission Counseling is hosting 3 upcoming virtual college fairs on November 8th. For more information please visit: www.virtualcollegefairs.org.
Meet with the University of Missouri Rep Virtually
Student Services has scheduled a virtual info session for students at De Soto High School on Tuesday, October 27th at 4:30 pm. Students who are in our system will receive an invite one week out and then one day out. Do you have a way to send out the registration info on your end?
If so, students can register at https://futuretigers.missouri.edu/register/DHS102720.
FAFSA 2021-22 Application Opens Soon!
FAFSA 2021-22 Application Opens Soon!
Seniors who are attending a post-secondary institution next year need to fill out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). This application will determine eligibility for grants and scholarships and many colleges and universities, but also provides loans as well. Students can begin filling out the 2021-22 application, starting October 1st. For more information, please visit: www.studentaid.gov.
JCCC has a helpful website on completing the FAFSA and offers assistance daily from 10 am – 3 pm via Zoom. Visit https://www.jccc.edu/admissions/financial-aid/ for more information.
The Johnson County library is offering an online step by step session to help students and parents with the FAFSA process. The next session available is October 28th from 6:30 to 8 pm. Students must register by visiting the following link: JCCC FAFSA Event.
Free Virtual FAFSA help with JOCO LIbrary
Johnson County Library is offering a free virtual FAFSA program this fall. Please share this information with
students, parents and anyone else you think may be interested in attending:
Step-by-Step through the FAFSA
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, is the federal application necessary to get free and low-cost money for college.
Join us as Jason Anderson, college and career planner, walks line-by-line through the FAFSA form,
using it to explain the ins-and-outs of the college admissions and financial aid process.
Wednesday Oct 28 6:30-8pm
To register to attend this virtual program, please visit our calendar jocolibrary.org/events and check "Career and Finance" in the Event Type section.
Thank you!
Debbie Lowery
Information Specialist/Shawnee Library
13811 Johnson Drive, Shawnee KS, 66216
913.826.4600 (office) | 913.826-4671 (fax)
District Recommendation for Students Returning from Quarantine or Isolation
If a student is gone from school due to a COVID-19 quarantine or isolation, the district is recommending that students disinfect their textbooks, library books and MacBook at home before coming back to school.
Thank you.
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.