Wildcat Growl
August 21, 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
Wildcats and Families,
Teachers and staff are excited and getting prepared for the upcoming school year. We hosted our new staff this week and will welcome all staff on Monday, August 24th. Even as we are all masked up and socially distancing, you can see the excitement and feel the energy returning to the building.
One new staff member we would like to introduce is Kaitlin Morrell. Ms. Morrell joins our Student Service team as a Counselor for students with the last name O-Z. Welcome to DHS, Ms. Morrell!
Our fall Wildcat athletic teams and activity groups also had a great first week of practice. The students and coaches have done a great job of paying attention to the additional details and requirements asked of them. They understand the importance of their collective actions on and off campus and should be applauded for it. Great job, Wildcats!
As we get closer and closer to the beginning of the school year, it becomes more and more important that all students have access to the internet, are able to log into their district assigned MacBook, and are able to gain access to Canvas and Zoom. This is particularly important for students new to the district.
If they have not already done so, new students will need to pick up a school-issued MacBook before September 8th. Please call and set up an appointment so we can work with your student to ensure access to the important online programs (i.e. Zoom, Canvas) needed for the start of the year. It will be important for students to become familiar with the device and programs before we start school, regardless of the learning environment.
We will use several different avenues to celebrate our student successes and provide important information about activities and events; the USD232/DHS website, Skyward emails – including our weekly newsletter (The Growl), Twitter (@DeSotoWildcats), dhswildcatnation.com, and our new Facebook page (De Soto High School). We will also send important time-sensitive information via the district text message service.
Please keep an eye out for additional communication on schedules, course materials, and Wildcat Kick-off.
Kind Regards,
Sam Ruff
DHS Coming Back Together plan for 2020-2021 can be viewed by clicking the PDF below.
Where to find DHS information
Dropping off fees or forms?
Student Services
20-21 Schedule Change Requests
Beginning Monday, August 24th, the Schedule Change Request form will be available on the DHS Student Services website under Course Selection. Schedule requests will only be allowed if it meets the criteria below:
1. Errors made by the school in developing the schedule
2. The need for the school to balance class size
3. Medical reason with documentation
4. Placement for students into Reading Support, Special Services, or Directed Study Hall classes
5. Request to take courses to qualify for the Kansas Scholars/Board of Regents
6. Failure of a course required for graduation
7. Failure of a prerequisite, i.e., anything that would prevent a student from going on to a requisite course as published in the Course Guide
8. Request to add a course required for post-secondary admissions (with documentation from the college)
9. A student has failed with a teacher previously in a course, and he/she gets the same teacher for exactly the same course
10. Adding a required course in lieu of an elective class
11. Student enrollment in higher-level course
Students have until 3 pm on Tuesday, September 15th to turn their form into Student Services.
Notes from the Nurse:
Immunizations: Please email any copies of updated immunizations to me at the following email address: mfarverlightcap@usd232.org
Remember that all incoming Juniors need at least one of the Meningococcal vaccines AFTER their 16th birthday.
Medications be administered at school: If your child takes a regularly scheduled medication or an “as needed or emergency medication to be administered by the nurse at school, I must have a current signed doctor’s order. The medication must be in a prescription bottle clearly labeled with the student’s name and the medication. This can be brought the first day of class for the student. I am unable to administer medications with just the labeled prescription bottle. It MUST be accompanied by the signed doctor’s order. Please email me with any questions regarding medication administration.
Health conditions: To provide better care for your child at school, if your child has one of the following health conditions: diabetes, severe allergies or anaphylaxis, a seizure disorder or asthma. Please remember to complete the questionnaires on USD 232 website under Departments >Health Services> Important Information and Documents> Health Conditions.
Please contact me at mfarverlightcap@usd232.org with any questions.
Have a safe and healthy rest of summer!
Anne Lightcap BSN, RN
Technology Help Desk
Please remember that the fastest way to start getting a solution to any technical issues is to contact our help desk. This is also available to all students.
Technology Help Desk
Get help with district technology
Students and Parents: You can reach our Help Desk by calling 816-382-4840.
Hours of Operation
Monday - Friday, 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
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.