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Wildcat Growl
January 7, 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 hope everyone enjoyed a safe and healthy Winter Break. We look forward to seeing our students back for the start of the second semester with a Green Day on Monday, January 8th. The building opens at 7:30 AM, with students reporting directly to their Green 1 class at 7:50 AM.
Second Semester Schedules: As we embark on the new semester, we'd like to update you on a few important details for the first day back. Please be aware that all schedules are now finalized in Skyward. To reduce paper usage, we will not be providing printed schedules for students. Please double-check your schedule on your Skyward account. It's worth noting that some yearlong classes may have different blocks. Any schedule change requests were reviewed during the week of December 4th, and we are unable to accommodate further changes at this time.
Student Wildcats of the Month: Congratulations to the following students for being recognized as the Wildcats of the Month for December. Each department is recognizing the following students:
Performing and Fine Arts – Owen Hamer
CTE – Owen Pryor
English – Luke Megee
Math – Aubrey Julian
Social Studies – Chloe Weber
Science – Diego Diaz Flores
PE – Addison Tower
World Language – Fin Smajda
Staff Wildcats of the Month: We’d also like to congratulate Joe Kordalski and Joel Thaemert. Mr. Kordalski serves DHS as a Social Worker. Mr. Thaemert is a teacher in the math department and coaches baseball and football. Both have been named the December DHS Staff Wildcats of the Month. We appreciate all they do!
Making a Difference Nominees: Congratulations to Mindy Fry, Phil Hamilton, Phil Kaul, Melissa Lehrman, and Will Mercer for being nominated as a USD 232 Making a Difference Award winner for November 2023! New nominations are reviewed monthly so you can submit a form on a monthly basis for any deserving nominee. Making a Difference Nomination Form
Course Selection, 2024-2025: During 3rd quarter students will complete the process of course selection for the 2024-2025 school year. Directions and information will be shared via our website and Canvas in the coming weeks/by the end of January. Students and parents should follow the provided instructions, review the course guide, and then select courses through Skyward together. Students will finish the process by meeting individually with their school counselor to discuss how their course selection fits into their Individual Plans of Study (IPS).
ACT for Junior Students: On Tuesday, February 27, 2024, Junior students will take the ACT at DHS. More information will be coming as the date nears.
Student Wellness: Thanks to support from the USD232 Foundation, our district will be presenting ANGST (video trailer) on January 25, from 7:00-8:30 PM in the De Soto High School Performing Arts Center. In partnership with the KC Center for Anxiety Treatment, the event will include a paneled discussion following the viewing. For more information regarding this event, check out the district homepage.
First Semester Incompletes: Students earning an incomplete as a result of missing a final exam have until Friday, January 19th to make up semester 1 final exams. Students will need to reach out to their teachers in order to schedule a time to make up these exams.
Seniors and Families of Seniors: This is an exciting time. One of our goals is to help our Seniors prepare and plan for what comes after graduation. Seniors are challenged with the goal of a strong finish to their high school experience. Students have what will become a very short spring semester before graduation on May 18, 2024. Information about graduation can be found HERE. Please plan ahead.
Seniors qualifying for ‘Shortened Day’ during the spring semester are reminded of a few key points:
1) During the school day (7:50 am - 2:55 pm), students must enter and exit the building through the attendance office doors,
2) If a senior does not have an assigned Seminar for 2nd semester but wants to or is assigned to see a teacher during that time, the student will need to sign in through the attendance office,
3) Having a shortened schedule is contingent on regular attendance and passing all of your courses.
Inclement Weather: January and February bring the possibility for inclement weather. The Text Message Alert system can be used to receive the most timely information about changes in our schedule.
Thank you,
Sam Ruff
Principal
De Soto High School
Voluntary Transfer Window
The Voluntary Transfer Request window for families to request a transfer to LTMS and DHS starting with the 2024-25 school year is currently open and will close on Friday, January 19. An email was sent to all incoming 6th and 9th grade families on Friday, January 5th regarding this transfer option. The information is also available on the district website. Here is the direct link in case you need more information about this transfer option or need to share it with a family > USD 232 Voluntary Transfer Program
Kansas Teacher of the Year Program
USD 232 has been an important and strong participant in the Kansas Teacher of the Year Program for many years. De Soto has had fifteen state finalists and twelve semi-finalists represented in the program since 2000.
We would like for you to nominate any teacher whom you consider to be an outstanding and effective educator. This person must have completed 5 years of teaching with at least 2 of them having been in USD 232. If there is a USD 232 educator whom you believe to be outstanding and deserving of special recognition, please fill out the nomination form at www.usd232.org/ktoy . This form needs to be completed by 4:00 PM on January 19, 2024.
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.
True Blue ® KSHSAA Scholarship Application Process
The KSHSAA and Capitol Federal Foundation ® will award True Blue Scholarships intended to support Kansas High School graduates in postsecondary efforts. This one-time scholarship is for students graduating during the 2023-24 school year. These funds will be made payable to a two-year or four-year accredited college, university or technical school in the name of the selected student. Awards are non-renewable, one-time scholarships in the amount of $2,000 provided for a student in each activity administered by the KSHSAA. You may contact the KSHSAA at kshsaa@kshsaa.org or 785-273-5329 with any questions.
Eligibility
Students must be seniors attending and graduating from a member school of the Kansas State High School Activities Association during the 2023-24 school year and have rostered in the chosen activity their senior year. They must be considered as students in good standing as confirmed by their building principal. Students must enroll and attend a post-secondary institution of their choice as a full-time student within two years of graduation. Applicants must be in their final semester of high school. If you are a Division I bound athlete, please check with your institution about eligibility for this scholarship before applying.
Selection Criteria
The student will be selected based upon an assessment of the following components:
Community Service (30%)
· Length of service in school
· Length of service in the community
· Variety of service in school
· Variety of service in community
Academic achievement (30%)
· Cumulative GPA through 7 semesters
· Standardized test scores
· Academic awards from school or others
· College Prep/Honors level classes
Breadth of school activity participation (20%)
· Number of full seasons/years in each activity
· Number of KSHSAA sponsored activities
· Number of other school sponsored activities
Activity achievement (20%)
· Varsity level participation
· Varsity letters earned
· All-league honors
· All-state honors
Application Process
· All components of the application must be submitted digitally by 11:00 p.m. on March 1, 2024. Failure to complete submission by designated deadline will make the student ineligible for the scholarship.
· Scholarships will be awarded in categories noted online. Even though the student may participate in multiple activities, they may only apply for one category award (one application per student).
· The student shall submit a scholarship application which reflects school activity participation; this component is reviewed by a school or district administrator.
· The student shall complete an essay of no more than 500 words in response to the following prompt: "How participation in school activities has helped me become a better citizen."
· The student shall submit one reference letter reflective of community service completed by the student during their high school career.
· The student shall submit an official seven-semester high school transcript.
· The student and parent shall provide appropriate release to the selection committee to review the application materials and to approve using the name and image in local and social media if the student is selected as a scholarship winner.
· Applications may be submitted during the open application period of December 15, 2024, to March 1, 2024.
True Blue KSHSAA Scholarship Categories for all KSHSAA Activities
· 34 total scholarships, payable to post-secondary institution
· $2,000 one-time award, non-renewable
Bullying and Online Harassment
Cat Booster Club
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
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.