Wildcat Growl
September 18, 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,
Congrats to seniors, Elizabeth Schottler and Abigail Yarbrough! They have qualified as National Merit Semi-Finalists. This distinction places both in the top 1% of all high school seniors in the country. They now advance to the Finalist level announced in February 2021.
Unfortunately, we were not able to welcome our families into the building for Parent Information Night this week. However, our staff created video presentations, providing important information about each course, and posted them on our website – our version of a virtual Parent Information Night. Using your student’s schedule, you can select the department/teacher/course video, found here.
We are excited to welcome Mr. Andrew Pinnell to DHS. Mr. Pinnell joins our Special Services department.
There is important information concerning student attendance and reporting below.
Tentative cohort schedules (De Soto cohort and Wildcats cohort) for September and October have been updated on our website. We will update both and communicate via email if any changes are made to those schedules.
The ‘Academic Week at a Glance’ document for the week of Sept 21 (found here) can be reviewed on our website. This document provides detailed information for Hybrid and Optional Remote students about the schedule for each day of the week.
Thanks, and have a great week.
Sam Ruff
Attendance Procedure and Tips
Please remember to call DHS, preferably before 10:00 am on the day of the absence if your student is absent. This also includes Optional Remote Students.
You can also call in a prearranged absence ahead of time. The 24-hour attendance voicemail is 913-667-6259. We also ask that students missing school as a result of an appointment to verify the appointment by turning in an appointment note/slip. This helps us ensure the absence is excused rather than considered as a parent request. Students can turn the note into the school office when they return from the appointment or email the attendance secretary at mpartlowwilliams@usd232.org.
Dropping off forms or items for your student?
Needing a Locker?
We found that most students do not use their assigned hallway lockers throughout the year. As a result, we will not automatically assign a locker to every student. Instead, students interested in having a hallway locker assigned to them will need to request a locker by contacting our registrar, Amy Carver (ACarver@usd232.org).
Elizabeth Schottler
Seniors named National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists
Abby Yarbrough
Face Mask Facts
Face masks are required to be properly worn by all individuals in K-12 schools by Kansas Executive Order 20-59.
Wearing a mask is an important tool to help reduce the spread of COVID-19. This evidence-based approach is supported by the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, and the Johnson County Department of Health and Environment.
In compliance with the state order, USD 232 requires the wearing of masks at all times, with few exceptions. Exemption requests will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis and require medical verification. Requests can be made by contacting our nurse at 913-667-6250 or mfarverlightcap@usd232.org.
September is National Suicide Awareness Month
September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. Helping professions across the nation use this time to increase community awareness and promote education around mental health and emotional regulation. As we reflect on how the COVID Pandemic has contributed to youth mental health we are seeing the numbers of individuals experiencing symptoms of Depression and Anxiety increased significantly. These symptoms often lead to social isolation and decreased communication with friends and family. As we work our way back into the school year and the stressors of new routines, academics, social pressures and so much more add up, it is critical time to keep the line of communication open. Here are a few warning signs to look for in individuals at risk for thoughts of suicide;
- A start to or increase in alcohol and drug use
- Aggressive behavior – could be verbal and/or physical
- Withdrawal and isolation from friends, family and community
- Significant swings in mood
- Impulsive or reckless behavior
- Change in their hygiene
- Change in sleeping and eating habits
If you have concerns about your student you are welcome to connect with members of the DHS Student Services Team. Student Services is comprised of the three DHS Counselors, School Psychologist, Nurse and Social Worker. You can find email links to those individuals here; https://www.usd232.org/Page/4415
Johnson County Mental Health operates a 24/7 Crisis Line to support mental health needs. By calling 913-268-0156 you will be connected to a licensed mental health professional.
National Public Radio recently aired a short segment about youth mental health and suicide risk which summarized some of the concerns recently identified by the CDC. Here is a link that story;
https://www.npr.org/2020/09/10/911117577/the-pandemic-has-researchers-worried-about-teen-suicide
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.
College Fair
Upcoming College Fair:
The National Association of College Admission Counseling is hosting 3 upcoming virtual college fairs on October 12th, October 18th and November 8th. For more information please visit: www.virtualcollegefairs.org.
Camp College:
An evening event where students will work in small groups on their college applications and have admissions staff and counselors on hand to support. Then breakout sessions will include:
- How to conduct the college search in the wake of COVID
- Test-Optional? What the heck is that?
- Scholarships and Financial Aid
- Essays and Resumes for Colleges and Scholarships
- Parents Breakout Room
Camp College Dates & Registration:
- Tuesday, September 22, 5:30 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. CDT
- Wednesday, September 30, 5:30 to 8:00 P.M. CDT
Students can register here!
KACRAO Virtual College Fair:
Students will have the opportunity to participate in multiple virtual college fairs where you can hear from several different colleges and universities in one session and have the ability to ask questions to college reps:
- Sessions will have six different colleges and universities presenting.
- Sessions are offered over four days to provide you a variety of opportunities
- Students are encouraged to register for multiple sessions!
To see a list of schools for each session, click on the links below. Students will register for sessions using the same links below.
Free Virtual FAFSA help with JOCO LIbrary
Johnson County Library is offering a free virtual FAFSA program this fall. Please share this information with
students, parents and anyone else you think may be interested in attending:
Step-by-Step through the FAFSA
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, is the federal application necessary to get free and low-cost money for college.
Join us as Jason Anderson, college and career planner, walks line-by-line through the FAFSA form,
using it to explain the ins-and-outs of the college admissions and financial aid process.
Wednesday, Sept 23 6:30-8pm
Wednesday Oct 28 6:30-8pm
To register to attend this virtual program, please visit our calendar jocolibrary.org/events and check "Career and Finance" in the Event Type section.
Thank you!
Debbie Lowery
Information Specialist/Shawnee Library
13811 Johnson Drive, Shawnee KS, 66216
913.826.4600 (office) | 913.826-4671 (fax)
Notes from the Nurse
New Illness Exclusion policy:
As many of you have read per our USD 232 website, our exclusion guidelines in regard to illness have changed per Johnson County Health Department. Please see below for a detailed explanation.
Students
Students with at least one primary symptom OR two or more secondary symptoms are assumed to have COVID-19 and should be excluded from school and school-related activities and isolate at home. Fever is considered a secondary symptom in children.
Student Primary Symptoms (at least one)
New cough • Difficulty breathing • Loss of taste/smell
Student Secondary Symptoms (at least two)
Extreme fatigue • Fever (≥100 degrees Fahrenheit) or chills • Congestion/runny nose • Nausea/vomiting/diarrhea • Sore throat • Headache • Muscle or body aches
Students who exhibit one primary symptom OR two or more secondary symptoms and are not tested or test positive for COVID-19 should remain out of school and all school-related activities for 10 days after their symptoms began AND 24 hours after their fever (if present) has resolved without the aid of medication AND their initial symptoms have improved.
If a student is tested for COVID-19 and is negative, they can return to school 24 hours after their symptoms improve. If a physician indicates the symptoms are due to a non-infectious diagnosis (e.g., allergies, asthma), the child can be readmitted to school prior to their symptoms resolving. If a child has only one secondary symptom, the individual should be excluded for 24 hours after their symptom improves.
Immunizations:
Our first exclusion date for missing immunizations is approaching. Per our Board of Education policy. Letters will be sent to those families of students with missing required immunizations. If your student is remote please remember to still send a copy of updated immunizations to me.
I have been notifying families of any students that DO NOT have the required vaccines on file, or have a religious or medical waiver on file to exempt their student.
This vaccines must be documented or a medical/religious waiver be on file for your student by October 12th, 2020.
If you have record that your student has had this vaccine, please send in a copy, email mfarverlightcap@usd232.org or fax (913-667-6251). If your student has not had this vaccine please schedule an appointment with your pediatrician to discuss this vaccine before October 12th, 2020
You may look this information up on Skyward family access under Health Info choose “Display Options” next to your student’s first name, select “Show Vaccinations”. Skyward will display which vaccinations are deemed Noncompliant.
***If this is not addressed by October 12th, your child will not be able to attend classes. This will be an UNEXCUSED ABSENCE.***
Please contact me if you have any questions,
Anne Lightcap BSN, RN
De Soto High School Nurse
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.