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Wildcat Growl
August 28, 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,
It was a great first week back with teachers in the building preparing for the school year.
The Board of Education took action at its meeting on Monday, August 24, to begin the 2020-21 school year in the hybrid learning environment for students in grades K-12. The first full day of classes is set for Wednesday, September 9. Tuesday, September 8, is a half-day for our 9th-grade students.
Students who elected to take part in the Optional Remote learning model will follow the same schedule as hybrid student schedules – including being divided into cohorts. The September schedules for both ‘A’ cohort and ‘B’ cohort are posted on our website along with a helpful FAQ.
All USD232 students (PreK-12) within the same household must be assigned to the same cohort. If this is not the case within your household, please contact each school involved so that we can work to address this issue.
The district Curriculum and Instruction Department developed the USD232 eLearning Handbook for students, parents, and teachers. Important information, including student and teacher expectations, can be found there.
We look forward to Tuesday, September 8th, our half-day with all freshman students – we call it Wildcat Kick-off. The day will begin at 7:50 AM and lasts until 11:14 AM for all 9th-grade hybrid students. We also have a plan for welcoming our Optional Remote freshmen students on this day. More information will be sent directly to freshmen students and parents regarding the activities planned. We can’t wait to meet you.
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.
We are working to follow KSHSAA guidelines regarding the Performing Arts. The good news? If we take some basic precautions, musical performances (such as singing) can be a part of our classroom activities. Below is an infographic that we received from KSHSAA. In addition, we've purchased two Hepa Tru 13 air purifiers, one for the choral classroom and one for the band room.
The information concerning activity spectator limitations at our athletic events is expected to be released on Monday.
Go Wildcats!
Kind Regards,
Sam Ruff
DHS Coming Back Together plan for 2020-2021 can be viewed by clicking the PDF below.
RG Fiber internet service for De Soto families
Free or Reduced Cost Internet Program for De Soto Students & Families
The school district is pleased to share information about a new program to help students who do not have reliable, fast internet access at home. This program is for families who qualify for free or reduced meals at school.
Please click either the Spanish or English version below to find out more about this great offer for our DHS students and families.
Where to find DHS information
Dropping off fees or forms?
Material drop off
DHS Guardians/Students
Students, who were unable to return 2019-2020 materials in May are now able to drop off materials at De Soto High School.
Starting on Aug. 31st during school hours (8-3:30/M-F) students can drop off library/textbook materials to the book carts located in the vestibule of the front main entrance of the high school.
Students who are unsure whether they still have items checked out are able to look up their account by logging into the library website: https://destiny.usd232.org/
Choose De Soto High School
Click on Log In (right hand corner)
Username: student username without @usd232.org (ex. sosnajen000)
Password: initials-lunch code (ex. js-00000)
Click on My Info to see library/textbook/resources checked out to student
Students with overdue materials from last school year will not be able to check out materials for this upcoming school year until all items are returned.
Please contact Ms. Sosna @ jsosna@usd232.org if materials checked out are considered to be lost. Student accounts will be charged accordingly for the lost materials.
Thank you,
Jennifer R Sosna
Library Media Specialist
De Soto High School
913-667-6250 ext 2218
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.