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Wildcat Growl
March 24, 2024
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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,
Congratulations to David Cobin! David has earned recognition as KSHSAA Covered All-State Top 5 and Sports in Kansas Player of the Year Finalist. Great job, David.
The Class of 2024 graduation announcements are available for students to pick up in the Main Office. Seniors, don’t forget to order your activity patches for your graduation stole. Information was emailed and posted to Skyward last week. The deadline to order the patches and honor cords is April 12th.
Families of senior and junior students interested in helping organize and run 2024 Gradfest, will meet in FlexA (Conference Room in Student Services) on Wednesday, March 27th at 6:00PM. Thank you.
DHS Spring Sports ‘Opening Day’ is being held on Thursday, March 28th. Multiple home events will occur, including Soccer, Baseball, and Softball games. The Wildcat Booster Club is also arranging for fun activities to take place that evening. Come on out, support our Wildcats, and enjoy the evening.
The WildCAT Awards Ceremony for the 3rd quarter will take place in the DHS Performing Arts Center on Thursday, March 28th. Teachers recognize students with a WildCAT Award for demonstrating one of the WildCAT Way behaviors: committed, accountable, or thoughtful. We look forward to recognizing 60+ Wildcats on Thursday.
Applications for Ambassadors and Mentors (A&M) Crew for the 2024-2025 school year are open! A&M Crew members serve DHS as Freshman Mentors, provide building tours for new students, volunteer for event support throughout the year, and assist with peer tutoring. Any DHS student who will be a junior or senior during the 2024-2025 school year is eligible to apply. Current A&M Crew members will need to reapply. Any questions can be directed to Mrs. Adams aadams@usd232.org . To apply fill out the following application and teacher recommendation by March, 29th 2024: https://forms.gle/BkRJE3g9phKnTSdT8.
The 11th grade students will take the science state assessment this week. The assessment is scheduled to take place during the student’s regularly scheduled science class. Good luck, students!
The 10th grade students will take their assessments the weeks of April 1st (English) and April 8th (math). We ask for and appreciate the scheduling of appointments outside of these dates.
Prom will take place on April 20th. More information is below.
Spotlight-DHS will take place at 6:00 PM on April 24th. During this Community Open House event our students will present and showcase many of the outstanding projects and activities taking place at DHS. We hope to see you there.
The Final Exam schedule for second semester can be found on our website. It will be important for students to attend during this time. We will expect students that are absent during final exams to take their exams when they return. On the topic of Final Exams - here is a reminder about our Skip-A-Final student incentive!
Thanks, and have a great week.
Sam Ruff
Principal
De Soto High School
Student Wildcats of the Month - February
Staff Wildcats of the Month - February
Athletic Signing Day, Wednesday, May 1st
The DHS athletic department is planning an Athletic Signing Day for Wednesday, May 1st, 2024 in the Main Gym beginning at 3:00pm.
We are currently compiling a list of students that have signed letters of intent to continue their athletic careers after high school.
If you have signed a letter of intent with a college/university, please use the link below to complete a form so the athletic department at DHS has a complete list of all students graduating in 2024 that plan to compete at the collegiate level.
Link to form: https://forms.gle/S7zjSBxYbXsyZmi86
UMKC Summer Pharmacy Camp
Engage with current faculty and practicing pharmacists, view experiments in the lab and interact with current students to find out what it’s like to be a pharmacy student at UMKC. Students will take part in making actual medicine in the compounding lab, hear from community pharmacists about their daily roles, interact with clinical pharmacists in specialty practices such as oncology, pediatrics, cardiology, emergency room and more and learn from School of Pharmacy faculty and students about what it's like to be a member of UMKC at all three campus locations.
Spots are limited and are on a first come first serve basis. For more information go to UMKC Summer Pharmacy Camp.
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
Addiction is Real Information
The Addiction is Real organization has provided Parent Toolkit Booklets which were designed to help parents talk with their kids about alcohol and drug use. Addiction is Real has generously shared the PDF of this resource to share with families/situations.
This free film link is available for district’s families during the next several weeks.
This documentary discusses the pressures facing children today and why it is imperative to have conversations about drugs and alcohol – before it is too late.
Use code: USD232 to watch this film free > https://bit.ly/DontWaitUSD232
Bullying and Online Harassment
Cat Booster Club
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.
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.