Wildcats and Families,
We hope you had an enjoyable Thanksgiving Break. As we approach the end of first semester, we should all be proud of the numerous achievements of our students and staff. Their successes serve as a constant testament to the notion that goals can be realized by being committed, accountable, and thoughtful.
On November 22nd and 23rd, the Diamonds dance team and DHS Cheer team participated in the 2024 KSHSAA State Championship Spirit Showcase in Topeka. Each team did an amazing job of competing and representing DHS in the game day competitions. For the 3rd consecutive year, the Diamonds made finals finishing in 6th place overall in 5A. Congratulations to the dance and cheer coaches and all the members of each squad. We are proud of you!
Thoughtful Wildcats: At DHS, we are grateful for students who exemplify The WildCAT Way, specifically acts of thoughtfulness. Congratulations to the students below who were recognized by a staff member in the month of November for demonstrating a service orientation, treating others with respect, or engaging in planning and time management.
Zain Alhammouri, Elijah Anderson, Jackson Arrandale, Dakota Bell, Alison Borchardt, Charlie Brewer, Mason Budimlija, Bailey Burns, Kate-Lynn Bush, Ailyn Calderon, Sloan Carpenter, Brynlee Carson, Liesel Cedarholm, Lilly Chappel, Charlotte Daniels, Brady DeArmond, Gavin Doty, Reagan Doyle, Analeigh Esparza Diaz, Lillian Fandel, Addison Fleet, Eliza French, Lucien Gibbons, Jayton Gibson, Elaina Gilliland, Brooke Gipson, Seth Goins, Daniel Gonzalez De La Cruz, Jasen Grammer, Rory Groner, Lucienna Guess, Isabella Guess, Axsel Guge, Mishayla Guile, Mercedes Gunter, Jerry Gutierrez Hernandez, Quinten Hadley, Carson Handy, Keira Hartmann, Brieya Henderson, Wyatt Henning, Josey Henning, Tydus Hernandez, Curtis Jones, Beau Kalkman, Tucker Lee, Jackson Luchene, Mason Marintzer, Nico Martinez, Sydney Mater, Colin McGinn, Ardyn McIntyre, Gavin Meisch, Greyson Mirr, Will Morton, Maddilyn Mosbaek, Peighton Price, Willa Prothro, Easton Rice, Noah Rivera, Katelyn Roy, Corbin Spalding, Brody Spornitz, Pierce Stover, Aurora Straight, Jaxon Thomas, Hannah Thorpe, Tanner Toburen, Christian Valenzuela, Benjamin White, Brianna Wood, Laurel Zarda
DHS Cat Booster Club: We are THANKFUL for all of our wonderful volunteers. For the Fall Season, the groups/individuals that worked earned a total of $10,487.67 by working concessions and earning tips! All of that money goes back directly to the activities at DHS! Coaches and sponsors will be reaching out over the next few weeks looking to continue the support throughout the rest of the year. The next Cat Booster Club Meeting will be January 9th at 4:30pm. We would love to see you there!
Career Panel Series: Our last Career Panel Series event before Winter Break will focus on Education & Training, and is scheduled to take place during seminar on December 4th. Students interested in asking questions and hearing from professionals in the field, can sign up to attend the event in the PAC via Minga Flextime. We are very thankful to those professionals attending for giving of their time. Additional Career Panels are currently being planned for second semester.
Coffee and Conversations: Our last Coffee and Conversation of the semester will take place from 8:00am - 8:45am, Thursday, December 5th. Join building leaders for a free Cats Corner beverage and informal conversation to discover what's happening at DHS. Please park in the north student parking lot and enter through the Attendance Office doors.
Cocoa and Cram: Starting next week, December 9th-12th, we are offering after-school support in the Union for students to prepare for final exams. Peer tutors, hot cocoa, and holiday treats will be provided for students. The specifics are outlined below.
Skip-A-Final: Skip-A-Final forms will be distributed to students who have met total Skip-A-Final attendance requirements (students who have been absent fewer than 5 total days or 25 total blocks) during seminar on Monday, December 9th. Upon receipt of their form, students will need to confirm they have met semester attendance and grade requirements with individual teachers whose final they are planning to skip (student has an “A” and 3 absences or less in the class – OR – a student has a “B” and 2 absences or less in the class).
All completed forms must be returned to the main office by Friday, December 13th, at 3:00 pm. All forms must be signed by the student, parent and participating teacher(s) in order to be eligible for Skip-A-Final.
As a reminder, students may skip a maximum of two semester 1 final exams. If students are eligible to skip a G1, G2, G5, W1, W2, or W5 final, they are not expected to attend the final exam block. However, students must attend blocks G4 and W4, even if they qualify for Skip-A-Final, in order to avoid students exiting and re-entering the building during the afternoons of final exams.
See the link below for additional information regarding Skip-A-Final: Fall 2024 Skip-A-Final Information
Second Semester Schedules: Second semester schedule change forms will be available in Student Services on Monday, December 9th. Forms are due no later than 3:00pm on Friday, December 13th. This will be the only time frame in which students can request a change to their second semester schedule. A list of elective class openings by block will be posted outside Student Services. As a reminder, requests that involve a change or flip-flop of blocks (e.g. G1 needs to move to G4) and/or a change in teacher are not eligible for a schedule change request.
Future Events:
- Cocoa & Cram: After School Final Exam Study Sessions - December 9th - December 12th
- Hardwood Classic: The annual basketball tournament - December 9th - December 14th
- Final Exams: Tuesday, December 17th - Friday, December 20th. Here is the schedule.
- Wednesday, December 18th: We will not be on the Delayed Start Schedule. 1st block begins at 7:50am.
Thanks, and have a great week.
Sam Ruff
Principal
De Soto High School
