Wildcat Growl
December 10, 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,
This is the last full week of the semester. On Wednesday, December 13th, we will have the last Delayed Start of first semester. We will not have a Delayed Start on Wednesday, December 20th, due to final exams. The final exam schedule can be found on our website, here.
This is Cocoa and Cram week at DHS. Monday - Thursday after-school support for students will be offered to prepare for final exams. Peer and adult tutors, hot cocoa, and holiday treats will be provided for students. The specifics are outlined below.
Congrats to the following DHS students for being recognized in the Top 20 of the Battle of the Brains! In addition to a possible grant for STEM, the submission of "The Green Zone" by: Aurora Straight, Cael Province, Chloe Yamaashi, Dane Newland, Evan Brame, Fox Farley, Gipson Daise, Griffin Marschall, Josiah Bunselmeyer, Leah Marovec, Logan Fixen, Micah Morozov, and Norah Kelly could result in a chance to work with Burns & Mac to bring the idea to Science City. Way to go, Wildcats!
Congratulations to Amy Riley and the entire DHS Food Services staff for being recognized as the staff Wildcats of the Month for November. Amy serves DHS as a teacher in the CTE department, and our Food Services staff serve breakfast and lunch for our students. We are lucky to have all as members of the staff at DHS. Congrats!
Two of our staff have been nominated for the Making a Difference Award. Congratulations to Luis Rivera and Jennifer Sosna! Nominations are received monthly and can be submitted using this link: Making a Difference Nomination Form.
Thanks to support from the USD232 Foundation, our district will be presenting ANGST (video trailer) on January 25, from 7:00-8:30 PM in the De Soto High School Performing Arts Center. In partnership with the KC Center for Anxiety Treatment, the event will include a paneled discussion following the viewing.
Second-semester Skip-A-Final information has been updated on our website.
USD 232 has been an important and strong participant in the Kansas Teacher of the Year Program for many years. De Soto has had fifteen state finalists and twelve semi-finalists represented in the program since 2000.
We would like for you to nominate any teacher whom you consider to be an outstanding and effective educator. This person must have completed 5 years of teaching with at least 2 of them having been in USD 232. If there is a USD 232 educator whom you believe to be outstanding and deserving of special recognition, please fill out the nomination form at www.usd232.org/ktoy . This form needs to be completed by 4:00 PM on January 19, 2024.
Seniors and Senior Parents: This is an exciting time. Students have what will become a very short spring semester left before graduation on May 18, 2024. Seniors should focus on the goal of a strong finish to their high school experience. Attendance is especially important.
Several Seniors have applied for a ‘Shortened Day’ during the spring semester. Those students are reminded of a few key points:
1) During the school day (7:50 am - 2:55 pm), you must enter and exit the building through the attendance office doors,
2) If you do not have Seminar – you will need to register via Minga and sign in through the attendance office to meet with a teacher during that time, and
3) Having a shortened schedule is contingent on you having regular attendance and passing all of your courses.
Thanks, and have a great week.
Sam Ruff
Principal
De Soto High School
Sousa Band
Red Band
Eric Lange - Bari Saxophone
Thomas Mlodzik - Trumpet
Addison Easter - French Horn
Blue Band
Maxton Branstetter - Contra Bass Clarinet
Band
Congratulations to the following students who made this year's Kansas John Philip Sousa Band and ECKMEA Honor Band. We are proud of them and their accomplishment. Way to represent DHS!
ECKMEA Honor Band
Keegan Flynn
Austin Chase
Fin Smajda
Nick Maskil
Science Olympiad Invitational Results
On Saturday, December 2nd, the DHS Science Olympiad team cohosted the fourth annual Schrödinger’s Invitational at Mill Valley. The team earned 13th place out of 20 teams, which is a decent accomplishment considering there are only 8 members attempting to take on 23 events.
We had more placements in our individual events this tournament as well:
3rd place = Astronomy
4th place = Write it, Do it
5th place = Disease Detectives
6th place = Optics
We are incredibly proud of how well our team represented DHS as student ambassadors in addition to their event performance. Please congratulate the following students if you see them.
Seniors: Isabelle Butler, Isabella Holwick, Daniel Morozov, Cael Province
Juniors: Diego Diaz, Evan Johnsson
Sophomores: Matthew Barber
Freshmen: Addy Easter
Our next invitational will be a challenge as we take on the private school crowd at Pembroke Hill on January 6th. Thank you all for your support.
December features DHS Artwork at the district office
DHS Student artwork is on display at the district office, 12/4-12/15. Please stop by and view the work of our talented DHS Art students if you get the chance. The district office is open from 8:00- 4:30 M-F.
A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO SUPPORT STUDENTS WHILE EARNING A LITTLE EXTRA INCOME
USD 232 is looking for one or more individuals to split a bus route that have either their LPN or RN licensure. We have some wonderful students with medical needs who are in need of either an LPN or RN to assist them while riding the bus to and from school. The hours are listed below and days to work flexible. If interested, please contact Sara Hoepner, Special Services Coordinator at shoepner@usd232.org, or Lee Hanson, Director of Special Services at lhanson@usd232.org, or Tara Harmon-Moore, Coordinator of Nursing Services at THarmonMoore@usd232.org for additional information. The job is also posted on our district website at https://www.applitrack.com/usd232/onlineapp/default.aspx?Category=Health+Services.
Bullying and Online Harassment
Cat Booster Club
Note from 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
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.