Wildcat Growl
May 14, 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
Dear Wildcats and Families,
Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms in our community.
While the DHS community appreciates our fantastic staff year-round, last week the Cat Booster Club organized food and special treats each day to show appreciation during staff appreciation week. Thank you, Cat Booster Club!
The De Soto High School Track and Field hosted the UKC Meet last week. The girls' team won the event for the second consecutive year. The boys' team placed 4th in a very close team competition. Congratulations to Ella Capling for being recognized as the UKC Field Event Athlete of the Year, and Coach Ben Stamey as the UKC Girls Track and Field Coach of the Year.
We are very excited for our senior students. The graduation ceremony is this week (May 20th at 10:00 AM). Seniors picked up their caps, gowns, and stoles during lunch on Friday, May 12th, and have a few more items to take care of (final exams, completing the check-out form, rehearsal) before the big day. Updated information regarding graduation can be found on our website (here).
While we are hopeful that we will be able to conduct the graduation ceremony outside, a decision regarding the location of the ceremony will be made Friday morning, May 19th. If the event is held at the stadium, tickets will not be needed for admission.
If the event is held inside DHS, tickets will be required for admission as spectator capacity is limited. Each student will be provided 7 tickets when they turn in their check-out form on Wednesday, May 17th. We understand that some families may want additional tickets, but we are unable to accommodate this request. If inside, the event will be live-streamed on the district YouTube site (here). Thank you for understanding.
Senior Awards will take place on May 17th at 7:00 PM in the Performing Arts Center of De Soto High School. An email notification including a list of senior students receiving an award will be sent Monday, May 15th. Please enter through the Activities Center doors.
Senior Breakfast (students only) will begin in the Aux Gym at 9:00 AM on May 19th. Graduation rehearsal and our Senior Send-off Assembly will follow, and attendance is required for students wanting to participate in the graduation ceremony.
Gradfest begins on Friday immediately after the Senior Send-off Assembly. Special thank you to our community for all the support for our Class of 2023.
Please take note of the second-semester final exam schedule. It will be important for students to attend during this time. For the purpose of consistency and clarity, and due to the importance and security of final exams, if students are absent or have to leave town prior to and/or during finals week, they will need to work with the teacher or counselor to make up the finals when they return.
Online Enrollment for the 2023-2024 school year is now available through Skyward.
Thanks, and have a great week.
Sincerely,
Sam Ruff
Principal, De Soto High School
Wednesday May 17th Collaborative Team Late Start
De Soto High School Class Composites
Making a Difference Award
Making a Difference Award
Nominations are currently accepted for the Making a Difference Award. All staff members are eligible to receive this award. Making a Difference nomination form > https://bit.ly/USD232MAD
DHS Girls TracK and Field Team - UKC Champions!
KSHSAA State Forensics Tournament
Two of our semifinalists advancing to the final round in 5A with the following placements…
- Norah Kelly – 4th place in Dramatic Interp
- Tyler Gillespie – State Runner-Up in United States Extemp
Congratulations!
KSHSAA State Forensics Tournament
Of our sixteen entries at the tournament, nine of them broke to the semifinal round (top 12 in 5A)…
- Maya Rajapakse (Prose Interp)
- Kennedy Farrier (United States Extemp & Impromptu Speaking)
- Chloe Weber (Informative Speaking)
- Nic Weaver (International Extemp)
- Claire McGinn (Original Oration)
- Henry Walawender (International Extemp)
Cael Province and Colton Rhoads earn 12th place in doubles at 5A State Tennis
Staff Members Recognized at Board Meeting
USD 232 Innovative Teaching Grant
USD 232 Innovative Teaching Grant
Bonnie Logan
Retiree Group of 2023
A Message From Our Nurses:
End of year wrap up:
Medication in the health office needs to be picked up by the end of the school day on May 25th or our nurses will dispose of it.
Information for next year:
Immunizations: Students who will be 11th graders next year will need at least one dose of the meningococcal vaccine on or after their 16th birthday, as required by KDHE. Alternatively, a religious exemption signed by a parent/guardian may be provided, or a medical exemption signed by the student’s physician. Please email updated immunizations to our nurses at the addresses below.
If your child receives any new immunizations over the summer, please send those to be recorded in Skyward to the email below. If nothing has changed and they were a student in the district last year, we do not need another copy.
Health Conditions: If your child has a new health condition, please update this information during enrollment on Skyward. If your child has diabetes, seizures, severe allergies or asthma, please complete the health intake form on Skyward enrollment or on our website. https://www.usd232.org/Page/3183 Forms may be emailed to the addresses below.
Medications: If your student will take a scheduled or as needed medication, please have their physician complete and sign this form. Medication must be in its original, labeled container. https://www.usd232.org/Page/3186
Physicals: Forms must be dated on or after May 1, 2023 and may be sent to our athletic secretary, Lori Cater lcater@usd232.org We encourage you to make a copy for yourself in case one is needed for camps outside of our district.
Have a safe and healthy summer!
Dianne & Jill
Attendance Information
We want to share some important information and reminders for parents. We added a new Attendance Office to the north student entrance (door #21). This new student-only entrance/exit will be where students should be dropped off or picked up during the school day (7:50 am - 2:55 pm). Visitors will continue to use the Main Entrance on the south side of the building.
School Meals
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 a self-directed 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.
Need to contact 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
Graduating Seniors - Health Care Job Fair
Health Care Job Fair
WED, MAY 17, 2023 - Entry-Level Healthcare Job Fair for Graduating Seniors
The Kansas City Metropolitan Healthcare Council (KCMHC) in partnership with Real World Learning and KC Scholars are working to connect students with employment and scholarship opportunities at a job fair on Wednesday May 17, 2023 from 4 pm to 6 pm at the Kauffman Foundation Conference Center (4801 Rockhill Road, Kansas City, MO 64110). We need your help to get the word out to graduating seniors!
Who will be there?
A variety of healthcare employers, support organizations, and educational partners including AdventHealth, Center for Behavioral Medicine, Centerpoint Medical Center, Children's Mercy, Golden Valley Memorial Healthcare, HCA Healthcare, John Knox Village, KC Scholars, Liberty Hospital, LMH Health, Neosho County Community College, Saint Luke's Health System, ScionHealth/Kindred Hospitals, The Groves, University of Kansas Health System, Western Missouri Medical Center, St. Joseph Medical Center and St. Mary's Medical Center.
If you are interested in attending and learning more about the sponsorship and training opportunities at these healthcare institutions, please register as a teacher at the link below. This information is also available on the events page of our website.
If you are interested in learning more about the fair, please direct questions to Molly Weaver (molly@sunflowertalentstrategies.com).
DHS Senior Only Scholarships
Scholarships for the De Soto High School Class of 2023 are now available. All applications can be found at https://www.usd232.org/Page/3287. Please follow the instructions for each individual application and submit by the deadline. All scholarship winners will be announced at the Senior Awards Ceremony on Wednesday, May 17th, 2023.
Kansas ScholarShop
In partnership with Sallie Mae, Kansas State Treasurer’s office has launched the Kansas ScholarShop initiative. ScholarShop aims to restore hope and excitement for students seeking educational and career advancement after high school. With access to 6 million scholarships worth up to $30 billion; students can search and find scholarships, grants and awards tailored specifically to their deepest passions. For more information visit: https://kansascash.ks.gov/scholarshop.html
UMKC 2023 Pharmacy Summer Camp!
UMKC is hosting a a one-day, activity-packed experience giving students a glimpse of not only what it's like to be a pharmacist, but also an opportunity to see firsthand what it's like to study at one of our three UMKC Pharmacy campuses providing hands-on exercises and the ability to learn about the wide variety of pharmacy career practice areas! Any student who has completed 9th grade or above, current college students, or individuals looking for career change are encouraged to attend! The cost is $40 and students can choose from one of the following locations:
- Friday, June 2, Columbia, MO (University of Missouri Campus)
- Friday, June 16, Springfield, MO (Missouri State University Brick City Campus)
- Friday, June 23, Kansas City, MO (UMKC Health Sciences Campus)
For more information, visit UMKC Pharmacy Summer Camp
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.