Wildcat Growl

Mission: The Mission of De Soto High School is to empower students with the knowledge, skills, and dispositions to build successful lives.

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.

Wildcats and Families,

We hope everyone is having a great summer break. With the start of the 2024-2025 school year less than a month away, we want to welcome you and provide important information about the beginning of the school year.

Student Enrollment:

• Thursday, July 25th, 12:00 pm – 6:30 pm

• Friday, July 26th, 8:00 am – 11:30 am

In an effort to reduce student wait time, please complete Online Enrollment through Skyward Family Access, and pay any school fees (in eFunds ) before the event. Fee statements will be emailed to families. Payment plans are also available for school fees and can be set up during Enrollment.

Families who have completed 100% of the online enrollment process, including the payment of fees, will only need to send their student to DHS for Enrollment. Students should park and enter the building at the north Attendance Office entrance.

During Enrollment, your student will have the opportunity to:

• Confirm online enrollment and payment of fees,
• Set-up/pay student nutrition (Thursday, July 25th only)
• Receive the 23-24 yearbook,
• Turn in athletic physicals/paperwork
• Have picture taken for 24-25 Student ID and yearbook,
• Receive a draft copy of semester 1 schedule
• Attain parking permit (student must be present with driver’s license)

Students need to attend Enrollment in order to have their picture taken for the yearbook and ID. Students will receive their ID the first week of school. If they have paid their activity pass fee, the ID will serve as their ticket to home sporting events and activities. If students cannot attend Enrollment, picture retake dates will be published at a later date.

Families of students new to the district are asked to contact our Registrar, Christy Miller (CMiller1@usd232.org) on or after July 22nd in order to learn more about the enrollment process.

Summer assignments:

Many of our students enrolled in Honor and Advanced Placement (AP) courses in the fall have summer assignments. Information about the assignments can be found on our website [link].

Additional Important Dates:

We are hosting Back to School Night on Monday, August 12th. We will begin the evening with an Activity Fair from 5:00pm - 6:00pm. The Back to School event will take place from 6:00pm - 8:00pm. The format is a change from the past to an open house style event in which parents will be free to walk the building and visit with classroom teachers. We also plan to provide a variety of information sessions held during the evening.

Session examples include:

• Preparing Your Student for the AP Classroom (11,12)
• Keys to a Successful 9th-grade Year (9)
• Preparing for Postsecondary (11,12)
• Making the Most of Seminar & Other Academic Supports (9-12)
• Mental Health Support & Attendance (9-12)
• Navigating Canvas and Skyward as a Parent (9-12)
• Class of 2028: Post-Secondary Assets & Graduation Requirements (9)
• Details Related to CollegeNow (11, 12)
• Athletics at DHS (9-12)
• Participating in Performing and Fine Arts (9-12).

Look for the session schedule in next week's GROWL.

The first day for 9th-grade students is Wednesday, August 14th. We call this day Wildcat Kick-off. This is a half day of school. Doors will open at 7:30am and the day begins at 7:50am. Students will be dismissed at 11:07am. Students will only need to bring something to write with for Wildcat Kick-off (laptops/backpacks are not needed). Students will also receive a Forever Green T-shirt to keep/wear for a class picture taken at Wildcat Kick-off.

The first full day for all students is Thursday, August 15th, and will be a Green Day. Doors open at 7:30am, and classes start at 7:50am. Students are dismissed at 2:55pm.

Thanks, and have a great summer!

Sam Ruff

Principal

De Soto High School

While we plan to continue to allow students to use their mobile devices during passing periods and lunch, we would also ask that parents have a conversation with their students about appropriate use. Taking pictures or videos of other students without their consent and then sharing those pictures/videos or posting them online can be a form of social harassment or bullying, and will be handled as such. Please refer to the information posted on the district website regarding bullying and harassment. Thank you for helping us address this issue with our students.

The Cat Booster Club works to support all of our students at DHS. They provide teacher grants for classroom needs, support Gradfest, assist school activities in fundraising, organize Teacher Appreciation Week, and fund scholarships to graduating seniors. They are able to do all of this by selling spirit wear and donating their time in the concession stands. We are so appreciative of them. The membership drive for this year is currently underway, with multiple levels to choose from. Check out their website - here.

DHS Counselors and Social Workers

Mrs. Crissy Johns (cjohns@usd232.org): Last name A – D

Ms. Abbey Heller (aheller@usd232.org): Last name E – K

Mrs. Lainee Graham (lgraham@usd232.org): Last name L – Q

Mrs. Kaitlin Morrell (kaitlin.morrell@usd232.org): Last name R - Z

Mr. Joe Kordalski, Social Worker (Rkordalski@usd232.org)

Mrs. Debra Landis, Social Worker (dlandis@usd232.org)

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.

https://www.usd232.org/Page/7956