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Wildcat Growl
April 8, 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,
We have so many positive things happening at DHS. Last evening, I was privileged to attend the 2025 Kansas Teacher of the Year Region 3 Awards Banquet. DHS teacher, Drew Proctor represented the USD 232 as our secondary nominee. Mr. Proctor is great example of the outstanding teachers at DHS.
USD232 Foundations Awards DHS AVID with the $10,000 Giving Circle grant! Congrats to Ryan Robie, Abby Adams, Sue Smith, and Cat Monroe for all the hard work that went into the presentation. Way to go!
Student Wildcats of the Month: Congratulations to the following students for being recognized as the Wildcats of the Month for March. Each department is recognizing the following students:
- Performing and Fine Arts – Griffin Marschall
- CTE – Jadah Nudson
- English – Brennan Kurzejeski
- Math – Josey Henning
- Social Studies – Libby Meyer
- Science – Gavin Meisch
- PE – Jackson Whiddon
- World Language – Alex Culliss
Staff Wildcats of the Month: We’d also like to congratulate Junelle Woolery and Ben Cook. Mrs. Woolery serves DHS as a Physical Education teacher and Head Softball Coach. Mr. Cook teaches Physics as member of the Science department. Both have been named the Staff Wildcats of the Month for March. We appreciate all they do!
Congrats to Shemika Henagan for being nominated for a Making a Difference award for the month of February.
The district is accepting nominations for the USD 232 Making a Difference Award. Complete a nomination form for any USD 232 staff member to recognize and celebrate the exceptional teachers and staff in our district. Nominations are reviewed monthly.
Good luck to all of our 10th grade students, as they will take the math portion of the Kansas State Assessments this week. We ask for and appreciate the scheduling of appointments outside of this time.
The DHS Site Council is hosting the first ever Academic Excellence Banquet at 6:00 pm on Sunday, April 14th at the Barn at Kill Creek Farm. Congratulations to the following students that will be recognized at the event: Isabelle Butler , Kennedy Farrier, Ailey Freeman, Marisa Johnson, Nate Meyer, Blake Miller, Bryce Miller, Carson Miller, Daniel Morozov, Cael Province, Marissa Rajapakse, Brett Tickle, and Samuel Vogel. Additionally, each student was able to invite a "Teacher of Influence" to join them at the recognition. USD232 staff invited to attend include: Bruce Yarbrough, Jack Sachse, Laura Sixta, Micah Tenner, Junelle Woolery, Tom Byers, Tod Hessong, Phil Hamilton, Kelli Schram, and Phil Kaul. Thank you to Hall of Fame member, Neil Erisman and USD232 Superintendent, Dr. Cory Gibson for speaking at the event.
Congratulations to the 2024 Prom Candidates: Madison Glaser, Lucinda Mater, Alana Rasmussen, Ava Thompson, Braden Burgos, Cale Davis, Giffin Marschall, and Gavin Sirabella.
The DHS Prom will occur on April 20th at the Ball Event Center in Olathe, Kansas (21350 W 153rd St, Olathe, KS 66061). 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.
Seniors, your class officers, Addison Mages, Lexi Parish, and Maya Rozelle are hard at work helping to plan Gradfest. Important information for members of the Class of 2024 can be found on our website, here.
The Final Exam schedule for the 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.
De Soto High School takes pride in offering a wide variety of camps and summer programs for the students of our community. There is Summer Weights and Conditioning which is encouraged for all sports participants. Information and sign-up links to all the camps can be found by visiting: https://dhswildcatnation.com/summer-camps/
Thanks, and have a great week.
Sam Ruff
Principal
De Soto High School
Congrats - Drew Proctor, USD232 Secondary Rep, 2025 Kansas Teacher of the Year!
Student Wildcats of the Month - February
Staff Wildcats of the Month - February
Staff Wildcats of the Month: We’d also like to congratulate Junelle Woolery and Ben Cook. Mrs. Woolery serves DHS as a Physical Education teacher and Head Softball Coach. Mr. Cook teaches Physics as member of the Science department. Both have been named the Staff Wildcats of the Month for March. We appreciate all they do!
Prom Spirit Week Dress Up Days
Free Dental Screening April 23rd
Dear Parents/Guardians:
De Soto School District, in compliance with state requirements, will offer free dental screenings for De Soto High School students on Tuesday April 23, 2024.
If you wish to have your child participate, please complete the attached form and return it to your De Soto High School nurses by Monday April 22, 2024. If your child does participate in the free dental screening, a copy of the results of the screening will be provided.
Thank you for your support of student health services. Please feel free to contact your school nurses with any questions or concerns.
Thank you,
Tara Harmon-Moore, BSN,RN,BA
Coordinator of Health Services
Model UN Competitors and Awards
Congratulations to those who competed in the Model United Nations yesterday!
Delegation One: Iran: Bennet Martin, Matthew Barber, Chloe Weber, Olivia Frick
Delegation Two: Russia: Aurora Straight, Bella Guess, Lucy Guess, Austin Chase
Delegation Three: Cuba: Jay Schlotzhauer, Norah Kelly, You-Ha Kim, El Wilson
Awards earned:
Outstanding Delegation - Russia
Distinguished Delegate - Russia in Commission on Populations and Development x2
Outstanding Position Paper - Russia in Security Council x2
Overall Best Delegation - De Soto High School for All Committees
Apply for our free Future U STEM camp
We are excited to invite rising high school juniors and seniors to join us at Burns & McDonnell headquarters June 17-20 for the opportunity to connect with engineers, architects, technologists and construction professionals.
Along with engaging speaker sessions and hands-on activities, students will have the opportunity to visit two critical infrastructure projects and meet the professionals working on those projects. Students will also hear from college admission specialists who will talk about future education opportunities.
Join us for Future U from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 17-20. Space is limited. Application deadline is April 19. All applicants will be notified of their status by May 3.
Click here for more information. https://info.burnsmcd.com/future-u
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.
Technology Opportunity for Female Students
Parents and Guardians,
KC Tech Council is currently accepting online applications for LEGiT (Leadership and Empowerment for Girls in Tech) KC program. The program introduces girls to the wide variety of opportunities that come with tech careers in the KC area which include cybersecurity, software development, UI/UX, tech sales, product development, engineering, marketing and several others.
The goal is to ignite passion for the pursuit of a tech career where it may not have previously existed, and at a time when many young women are making the big decisions on their journey post high-school.
This new program, backed by Panasonic Energy, Burns & McDonnell, Meta, and other company partners, is meticulously designed to empower and equip female students in their final years of high school with comprehensive tech exposure, career pathway guidance, leadership opportunities and invaluable mentorship.
If your student is interested, please fill out the short application by April 15, 2024. Previous technology experience is not a prerequisite. Applicants simply need to have genuine interest in exploring the vast possibilities of a career in tech. For further information, please visit LEGiTKC.org.
QUICK LINKS
We are passing along an opportunity for female high school students entering their junior or senior years. Although the school district is not directly involved with the organization, we recognize the opportunity may be of interest.
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
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.
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.