Wildcat Growl
January 24, 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
Wildcat Students and Parents,
The second semester of the year is now in full swing. Winter Homecoming, 2020-2021 Course Selection, Parent-Teacher Conferences, and the Hall of Fame induction will all take place before Spring Break in March.
All-State Band, Bowling, Diamond Dance Team, Girls and Boys Basketball, Wrestling, Boys Swimming, Forensics, Scholars Bowl, and All-State Football – our Wildcat students continue to impress with the variety of ways they are finding success in and out of the classroom.
Winter Homecoming is quickly approaching. Information about the various events is included in this edition of the Growl. Pictures of the senior court are also included.
Important Information about DHS Course Selection for the 2020-2021 school year was reviewed in meetings with students over the course of the last few weeks. It will be important for students and parents to read through the information posted on our website and keep in mind the dates for our course selection process. Course Selection Forms will need to be turned into Student Services no later than February 19. To complete the form, students will need to select enough classes for the year. In addition, alternates will need to be listed in case there are conflicts or classes fill up. Forms will also need to be signed by students and parents.
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 29th. During this community open house event all, senior students will be recognized and celebrated for their post-secondary plans, and we will showcase outstanding student projects and activities. We hope to see you there.
Information about upcoming Parent-Teacher Conferences can be found on our website. Wednesday, February 12 will include an AVID 9 Elective, AP Capstone Diploma, and Senior Symposium presentation. Please note a change in schedule from previous years. This year, we set aside time each day for the teachers to eat dinner. Please know that teachers will not be available during this time.
Exciting times. The Class of 2020 graduation information letters will be sent via the US Postal Service before the end of January. We will also email copies to seniors and senior parents through Skyward and have posted a copy of the letter on our website.
Herff-Jones will be at DHS on January 30th, during lunch to take the Class of 2020 graduation cap/gown orders. Many of our seniors have already submitted their order, but this is one of the last opportunities for those that have not ordered their cap/gown to complete that process.
Semester 2 Final Exams are scheduled to take place for Seniors on May 12th and 13th. Underclassmen Final Exams are scheduled the following week, May 18th and 19th (full days), and May 20th and 21st (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.
Kind Regards,
Sam Ruff
Congratulations Wildcat Band Members!
Last weekend, we had seven DHS band members go to Salina for a live audition for a spot in the Kansas Music Educators Association All-State Honor Groups. This year, we had three students selected:
Nic Weaver, trumpet – Orchestra, 1st Chair
Jacob Dority, trombone – Orchestra, 3rd Chair
Josh Daniels, trumpet – Band, 3rd Chair
Selection to these groups is the highest individual honor that a student can receive in the state of Kansas and is comparable to being named All-State in a sport or other activity. For reference, over 500 trumpet players began the audition process in November, and a total of 4 were selected to the All-State Orchestra.
Please be sure to congratulate those students if you see them! They’ve worked hard and we are very proud of them.
Diamond Dance Team
Girls Basketball
Happening
This
Weekend
All State!!
Bowling takes 1st
DHS Scholars Bowl
Planning Successful Transitions for Special Education
Our families play an important role in supporting their child with special needs as they navigate different transitions throughout their school careers. At this forum, we will have staff available to share information and answer questions parents may have pertaining to transitions. If you are interested in attending on forum on Feb. 25, please register HERE.
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 an 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.
Hearing and Vision Screening for Sophomores
10th graders with Health this semester will have hearing and vision screenings Jan. 29th and 30th. Please bring/wear your glasses if you have them.
Five Day Exclusion
The seven day exclusion policy for influenza (flu) has changed from seven days to five days. Students and staff who are diagnosed with the flu will be excluded for five days, starting with the first day of symptoms. For example, if a staff member feels ill on Sunday and goes to the doctor and is diagnosed with flu on Wednesday, the five day exclusion starts on Sunday.
Students and staff must be fever free for 24 hours without the use of medication to bring down the temperature. If a staff member has followed the five day exclusion, but still has a fever on day six, the staff member must still be excluded until fever free with medication.
Message from Student Services
College Credit Deadlines Approaching:
Students who are enrolled in DHS Classes that count toward college credit, need to be aware of the upcoming deadlines. Please visit the College Credit/Dual Enrollment page for more information
For more information on each of these programs and how to enroll please click here.
Scholarship Information:
Looking for money to help pay for college? Check out the DHS Student Services Scholarship page! Throughout the year scholarships will be posted that are available to seniors. There is also a “Scholarship Search Tips” that can help aid the search process. Click here to go to the page.
College Visits:
If your student will be going on a college visit, students must fill out a College Visit Form. Forms are available in Student Services or online by clicking here. Students are to take the form with them on the day of the visit and bring it back signed by an admissions representative.
Scholarships
Scholarships for Seniors:
Looking for money to help pay for college? Check out the DHS Student Services Scholarship page! Throughout the year scholarships will be posted that are available to seniors. There is also a “Scholarship Search Tips” that can help aid the search process. Click here to go to the page.
Olathe Healthcare Scholarship:
The Olathe Health Healthcare Career Scholarship Program provides financial assistance to seniors graduating from the high schools in our service area who choose to pursue a career in the healthcare field. Olathe Health will award scholarships annually to graduating seniors at each of the area high schools. The deadline for this scholarship is February 28th. For more information visit: https://www.olathehealth.org/scholarships
Discover Law Day at UMKC
The University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law is proud to host Discover Law Day on Saturday, February 1st from 10 am to 2 pm. Lunch will be served, and there is NO COST to participants. Questions? Contact the UMKC Law Admissions Office at law@umkc.edu or at 816-235-6264.