Wildcat Growl
February 26, 2021
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
Wildcats and Families,
Thank you to all the families who joined us virtually for Parent-Teacher Conferences. While we missed getting to see all of our families in the building, teachers have reported that virtual conferences have been a great way to connect. If you were unable to arrange a conference, feel free to reach out to your student’s teachers to set up a time to meet.
Congratulations to the Wildcat Varsity Boys Basketball team for winning the 2020-2021 UKC Championship. The Wildcats finished conference play with a 4-1 record, and by defeating Basehor-Linwood in head-to-head competition earned the title via the tie-breaker. Congrats to Coach Matt Rice, Coach Erik Bell, and the entire program.
The ACT Test for junior students is scheduled to take place Tuesday, March 2nd for students with the last names A-K, and Wednesday, March 3rd for students with the last names L-Z. Optional Remote students intending to sit for the exam should come on the day designated by your last name.
We are excited about the facility improvements coming as a result of the passing of the 2018 bond. While construction has already begun on the new stadium and fieldhouse, the new De Soto High School Performing Arts Center construction will begin on March 8th. This will include closing the drive and parking area on the west side of the building.
We are 53 school days from the Class of 2021 graduation ceremony. An updated senior class schedule and graduation information is posted on our website (here). Please know that we will continue to update you regarding any changes throughout the semester.
Applications for 2021-2022 Ambassadors and Mentors (A&M Crew) are open until March 30th. This student organization provides student leadership opportunities and assistance in a variety of ways throughout the year. One of A&M's most valued services is providing mentoring to the Freshman class. Information is below for students interested in applying for A&M Crew.
The Habits of Mind series continues this week, focusing on empathy. Check out the information below.
Kind Regards,
Sam Ruff
Habits of the Mind
DHS Families,
This week in our Habits of Mind series, I talk with students about the need for, and importance of extending empathy.
As we work our way out of the deep freeze that we called February, there’s a term that I hear a lot called the Spring Slump. When the weather and our environment is changing but we are feeling little to no change in our mood it can significantly impact our outlook and decrease our willingness to take the time to understand others.
This week’s video is a reminder that empathy can go a long way in supporting the people we care about. Please encourage your students to watch next week’s video and respond to my challenge by emailing me at: rkordalski@usd232.org. I’d love to walk the first 5 responses over the Casey’s for an afternoon candy bar and some great conversation along the way. Here’s a link to the video for this week: https://youtu.be/iaQtREQkKQk.
Have a much warmer weekend!
Joe Kordalski, LMSW
A&M Crew Applications
Applications for Ambassadors and Mentors (A&M Crew) for the 2021-22 school year are open! A & M Crew members serve DHS as Freshman Focus Mentors, provide building tours for new students, volunteer for event support throughout the year, and assist with peer tutoring during after school Study Tables. Any DHS student who will be a junior or senior during the 2021-22 school year is eligible to apply. Current A&M Crew members will need to reapply. Any questions can be directed to Abby Adams aadams@usd232.org . To apply fill out the following application by March, 30th 2021: https://forms.gle/o2VWko9Rxe4d2ETz9, you will also need one teacher recommendation filled out via this google form: https://forms.gle/YwzFdkGtLnj7ZPBk7
Seatbelt Enforcement
The 2021 SAFE program Seatbelt Enforcement campaign will begin on Monday, Feb. 22., and end on Friday, March 5. You will see an increase in enforcement efforts during this period.
The Kansas Department of Transportation and the SAFE Program will hold a two-week seatbelt enforcement beginning February 22 and ending on March 5, targeting drivers and their occupants.
Enforcement of seatbelt laws is the most effective way to encourage seat belt use and ultimately save lives. Various methods have been used to educate teens and adults about the dangers of driving unbelted.
We have learned that nothing impacts human behavior more than vigorous enforcement.
#seatbeltssavelives
#buckleup
#arrivealive
#zerotolerance
#seatbeltsareforeveryone
Mathys Moore
All-State Choir
Congratulations to Bryson Kendall (senior) and Mathys Moore (junior) for being selected to the 2021 Kansas Music Educators Association All-State Choirs.
Bryson Kendall
Horizon Award Nomination
It is the time of year to honor and recognize exemplary first-year teachers who perform in a way that distinguishes them as outstanding. These teachers will finish their first year of teaching in May, 2021.
This fall the state will allow the De Soto School District to nominate one Elementary and one Secondary teacher for the Horizon Award. The Horizon Award honors and recognizes exemplary teachers who will complete their first year this May. These spectacular teachers perform in a way that distinguishes them as outstanding. All of our 2020-2021 teachers who were new last August to the profession are eligible for this honor! Below you will find the guidelines for nominating a teacher:
Novice teachers who will have successfully completed their first year of teaching are eligible to be recognized. A teacher (Pre-K through grade 12) who successfully completes his/her first year of teaching by May 2021 is eligible. The Kansas Horizon Award Program is a regional competition. The regions correspond to the state’s four U.S. congressional districts.
The Kansas State Department of Education will appoint regional selection committees responsible for reviewing the nomination forms and selecting four elementary classroom teachers and four secondary classroom teachers per region for a total of 32 teachers.
The criteria for this award are:
- Nominee will have successfully completed his or her first year of teaching in a pre-kindergarten through grade 12 Kansas school accredited by the State Board of Education.
- Nominee will be a full-time classroom teacher.
- Nominee will be responsible for the assessment of students, assignment of grades, preparation of lesson plans, parent-teacher conferences, discipline, attendance, and other daily educational tasks.
- Nominee will have performed in a way that distinguishes him or her from other novice teachers. Nominee is considered to be exceptionally skilled, dedicated and able to inspire students of all backgrounds and abilities.
In order to facilitate the process, we will begin the nominating portion of the program from February 22-March 19. Anyone can nominate an outstanding teacher who will complete their first year this year: administrators, teachers, and/or parents. (A first year teacher is considered a teacher new to the profession). If you would like to nominate a first year teacher go to www.usd232.org/horizonaward and follow the Horizon Award nomination link. The deadline for nominating a first year teacher is noon on March 19, 2021.
Remember: the nominees are NEW FULL-TIME TEACHERS THIS YEAR. Please let me know if you have any questions.
Vision Screening for 10th Graders
Thank you.
National Merit Finalists
Seniors Elizabeth Schottler and Abigail Yarbrough, at De Soto High School, advanced as Finalists in the 2021 National Merit Scholarship Program. This distinction places both students in the top one percent of all high school seniors in the country.
Each senior received a Certificate of Merit which was presented on behalf of the National Merit Scholarship Corporation by Principal Sam Ruff. Both students met all the requirements to advance to the Finalist standing in the competition. These requirements included their academic record, a list of school and community participation, SAT scores, and a letter of recommendation from a high school official.
The selection of some 7,500 Merit Scholarship winners from the group of more than 15,000 Finalists is now in progress. All National Merit Scholarship winners will be announced at the beginning of April 2021 and conclude in July 2021.
Scholarships for Seniors
The DHS Seniors Only Scholarships are now available for seniors to access. We are waiting on two more that will be posted by the end of February. Click on the following link: https://www.usd232.org/Page/3287
- Olathe Health Center Health Care Scholarship: Deadline February 24
- DHS CAT Booster Scholarship: Deadline April 9
- Shawnee Vision Care Scholarship: Deadline April 15
- McCarthy Auto Group Scholarship: Deadline April 15
- Trenton Hughes Scholarship: Deadline April 23
- Casey Blake Johnson Running Scholarship: Deadline April 23
- Jess Johnson Scholarship (Rotary Club): Deadline April 30
- De Soto Teachers Association Scholarship: TBD
- De Soto VFW Scholarship: Deadline TBD
Winners will be announced at the Senior Awards Ceremony that is currently scheduled for May 21st.
JCCC Scholarship Application – Deadline April 1st
American Legion of Kansas Boys State
Every year, the American Legion of Kansas offers an opportunity for students in Kansas. It is a week-long leadership opportunity where young men will:
- Distinguish you in the competition for college admissions and scholarships
- Expand leadership and problem-solving skills that will help you throughout life
- Give you a huge head start in your senior government class
- Introduce you to some of the smartest, most motivated high school students in Kansas
- Establish lifelong friendships
- Who – Male Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors in the top half of their class;
What – The American Legion Boys’ State of Kansas;
When – Sunday, June 6 through Saturday, June 12, 2021;
Where – Kansas State University in Manhattan;
Why – For Democracy to work, we must learn how to work together;
How – Apply at American Legion Boys' State of Kansas ... (ksbstate.org)
If you are interested in this program and need a sponsor to help pay for the cost, please contact Mrs. Johns at cjohns@usd232.org.
Junior ACT Test
Junior ACT
· Juniors w/ Last Names A-K: will test on 1st & 2nd block on Tuesday, March 2nd in the Aux Gym & Student Union – rosters will be posted in the commons the week of Feb. 22nd
· Juniors w/ Last Names L-Z: will test on 1st & 2nd block on Wednesday, March 3rd in the Aux Gym & Student Union – rosters will be posted in the commons the week of Feb. 22nd
· Optional Remote Students who are planning to take the ACT should come to DHS on the day their group is testing by last name
· Please email Leah Vomhof, associate principal, with questions: lvomhof@usd232.org
KCKCC What to Expect Wednesdays:
Join KCKCC on Wednesday nights at 6 P.M. on the KCKCC Admissions Facebook page for a Live interactive event, "What to Expect Wednesdays"! Join our Admission Coordinators as they dive into topics like the enrollment process, college terms and how to get involved. The Coordinators will answer questions from parents and students as they come in live! This is a great way for students and parents to get started on their transition into the collegiate experience!
USD 232 Making a Difference Award
Anyone in USD 232 (staff, parents, students, etc.) can nominate any USD 232 employee. All teachers, support staff, custodians, administrators, secretaries, counselors, food service workers are eligible to receive this award. (Previous Making a Difference Winners ineligible). Monthly entries are encouraged as new nominations are reviewed on a monthly basis (i.e. we don’t look at nominations from previous months)
This award is given monthly throughout the school year to individuals who are truly “making a difference in the lives of young people” and was specifically created to celebrate and honor the exceptional teachers and staff in USD 232.
Thank you for taking the time to nominate your deriving candidate!
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.
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.
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