Wildcat Growl
May 15, 2021
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,
The Varsity Track and Field team competed in the 2021 United Kansas Conference Championship Meet. The boys finished 1st and the girls took 3rd. UKC individual and relay champions include Sophie Landrum, Abby Sheerin, Bella Wiltfong Hope Marriott, Brady Hudelson, Carson Sturdy, Henry Rokusek, Palmer O’Connor, and CJ Krudwig. Congrats!
The Girls Swim Team placed 2nd at the UKC Championship meet! Several swimmers had personal record performances at the meet. Way to go!
The Boys Varsity Golf placed 3rd at the United Kansas Conference Tournament held at Shiloh Springs Golf Course and hosted by Leavenworth High School.
We are very excited for our senior students. The graduation ceremony is only a week away (May 22nd at 11:00 AM). Seniors picked up their cap and gowns during lunch on Friday, May 14th, and have a few more items to take care of (final exams and completing the check-out form) before the big day.
While we are hopeful that we will be able to conduct the graduation ceremony at CBAC, a decision regarding the location of the ceremony will be made Friday morning, May 21st. If the event is held at CBAC, tickets will not be needed for admission.
If the event is held at DHS, tickets will be required for admission as spectator capacity is limited. Each student will be provided 2 tickets when they turn in their check-out form on Wednesday, May 19th. We understand that some families may want additional tickets, but we are unable to accommodate this request. Thank you for understanding.
Regardless of location, masks will be required for admission to the event, and the event will be livestreamed on the district Youtube site (here).
Gradfest, a new event celebrating the senior class will be held on Thursday, May 20th from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM on the football field. This free event, supported by our Wildcat Booster Club will have food, games, and door prizes.
Senior Awards will take place on May 21 at 9:00 AM in the main gymnasium of De Soto High School. Each student is allowed two guests and both must enter the Activities entrance before the event with the student. Masks are required for all. This event will be livestreamed and free of charge through our NFHS site (here).
Graduation rehearsal will follow the awards program and attendance is required for students wanting to participate in the graduation ceremony on May 22 at 11:00 AM.
Additional information about the Class of 2021 graduation ceremony is posted on our website (here).
Please take note of the second semester final exam schedule. It will be important for students to attend during this time. For the purpose of consistency and clarity, and due to the importance and security of final exams, if students are absent or have to leave town prior to and/or during finals week, they will need to work with the teacher or counselor to make up the finals when they return.
Online Enrollment for the 2021-2022 school year is now available through Skyward.
Kind Regards,
Sam Ruff
Principal
Habits of Mind
DHS Families,
As we work to wrap up the year in the best ways possible I talk with students this week about the importance of closure and how it plays into our ability to close chapters in our life and seek moving forward. I provide students with a couple points that might support them getting closure on the year;
- Reach out to a friend/family member or DHS staff who played an important part in your year to express thanks
- Give your all in the coming weeks as a way to finish the year the best you can
- Begin thinking about the events or goals for summer as a way to make a healthy transition to the summer
I often find myself stressing the importance of communication and encouraging students to use emotional language to help manage the 5,000 directions that we feel we’re being pulled. So often does the pace of these last couple weeks distract us from being able to share how we’re feeling and wrap up important conversation with those who support us the most. We’re striving to see that EVERY WILDCAT IS A WELLCAT!
DHS families, we’re getting close...take care,
Joe Kordalski, LMSW
Take care,
Joe Kordalski, LMSW
1st Annual Grad Fest
DHS will be starting a new tradition this year. We would like our Seniors to Save the Date for our 1st Annual Grad Fest. Grad Fest will be a day of outside fun for our senior class. We will have games, food trucks, and prizes.
May 20th, 2021 from 11 am to 3 pm at De Soto High School
We are looking for donations to help send our seniors off from high school with a gift.
If you are able to help please sign up using the link below.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0948aaa69-dhsgrad
*If it rains we will hold Grad Fest after Graduation Rehearsal on May 21st.
More information to come.
Richards places 2nd at FFA State Competition
Notes from the Nurse
VACCINATIONS
The State of Kansas requires incoming 11th graders to have one Meningococcal vaccine on or after their 16th birthday.
- Your shot record might say MCV, MCV4, MCV40, MCV4P, Menveo or Menactra or just meningococcal. All of these meet the requirement.
If your student has already had these vaccinations, please email Anne Lightcap, BSN, RN the shot record (mfarverlightcap@usd232.org). If you have already submitted a shot record containing this vaccine, you do not need to send it again. How can you check? From your desktop (it will NOT work on your phone), go to Skyward, then choose:
Health Info (tab on the left side) Display Options Show Vaccinations
SPORTS PHYSICALS
Sports physicals completed on or after May 1, 2021 are valid for the 2021-2022 school year. If your student is going to participate in a sport next year, you must have a current physical on file. The physical form is attached to this email and may also be found at:
http://www.kshsaa.org/Public/PDF/FORM-PPE.pdf
If you already have a completed sports physical, your student may bring it to the main office or email it to me at mfarverlightcap@usd232.org
Please contact me if you have any questions.
Thanks,
Anne Lightcap BSN, RN
De Soto High School Nurse
fax-913-667-6251
Allergy Season!
When the weather warms up, days are longer and the world is blooming, we all want to be outdoors more often. For students with allergy symptoms. Here are some ways you can help your student.
- Shower after spending time outdoors – prevents transfer of pollen to your bedding at night and decreases symptoms. At the very least, change clothes and was your hands and face.
- Take your shoes off at the door – reduces pollen transfer to carpets and furniture.
- Use a sinus rinse – A neti pot or over the counter sinus wash kit can help rinse allergens from your nose. Just make sure to follow directions for safe use.
- Consider a daily allergy medication – Antihistamines like Claritin, Zyrtec and Allegra can be very helpful in controlling symptoms. Nasal sprays and eye drops can also be helpful.
o Allergy medication options: http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases- conditions/ allergies/indepth/allergy-medications/art-20047403
o Why antihistamines work best when taken consistently:
https://www.webmd.com/allergies/features/pretreatment?scrlybrkr#2
o Save Benadryl (diphenhydramine) for bedtime or severe allergic reactions. It often makes students too sleepy for use during school.
- If your student is still miserable after home treatment consider consulting with your pediatrician or an allergist. There are prescription medications and other allergy treatments that may help.
Remember, the school health room does NOT have antihistamines for seasonal allergies. You must treat these at home!
Be aware that allergies sometimes present as Covid-19 symptoms and your student may be sent to the doctor to be evaluated.
FREE ACT PREP CLASS
On Saturday, June 5, Donnelly College and Open Future are partnering to offer a FREE ACT Prep test to any student who feels they would benefit from the practice. The testing will start promptly at 9 a.m. The best part about this practice test is that there will be an official test the very next weekend and another in July. The timing is great!
Here is the link to register:
UMKC Pharmacy Summer Camp 2021
What: A one-day, activity packed experience to give students a glimpse of not only what it's like to be a pharmacist, but also an opportunity to see firsthand what it's like to study at one of our three UMKC Pharmacy campuses providing hands-on exercises and the ability to learn about the variety of pharmacy career practice areas!
Who: Any student who has completed 9th grade or above, current college students, or individuals looking for career change are encouraged to attend!
When + Where:
Friday, June 4, Columbia, MO (Mizzou Campus)
Friday, June 18, Springfield, MO (Missouri State Brick City Campus)
Friday, June 25, Kansas City, MO (UMKC Health Sciences Campus)
Questions or Need More Details:
Please contact us or head to the camp web site.
Registration: Click on the link above to register.
American Legion Auxiliary Sunflower Girls State program: June 7-11th 2021, Virtually
ALA Girls State is a nation-wide, American Legion Auxiliary program, focusing on the promotion of Leadership, Americanism and good citizenship. Outstanding young women chosen to participate in the program will learn the duties and responsibilities of citizenship through hands-on participation as citizens of the state of Sunflower Girls State. The 2021 session is open to current High School Juniors and Seniors. Participants will have an opportunity to receive three college scholarships, and be selected to attend our national program, Girls Nation in July 2021. The Sunflower Girls State program receives support from citizens, civic groups, and other organizations interested in government and leadership. Speakers have included elected officials, state employees, and community volunteers. These speakers help to inspire the Sunflower Girls State Citizens to take a more active role in public service.
Girls who are interested in Leadership and Government are encouraged to attend. Since the program's inception, more than 20,000 girls have received this valuable citizenship training in Kansas.
Deadline for registration has been extended to May 31st , 2021.Participants may be sponsored by their local American Legion Auxiliary Unit or may pay their own registration. The fee to attend is $100. More information can be found in the attached poster or at www.ksgirlsstate.org .Delegates are asked to participate for about 4 hours per day.
American Legion of Kansas Boys State
Every year, the American Legion of Kansas offers an opportunity for students in Kansas. It is a week-long leadership opportunity where young men will:
- Distinguish you in the competition for college admissions and scholarships
- Expand leadership and problem-solving skills that will help you throughout life
- Give you a huge head start in your senior government class
- Introduce you to some of the smartest, most motivated high school students in Kansas
- Establish lifelong friendships
- Who – Male Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors in the top half of their class;
What – The American Legion Boys’ State of Kansas;
When – August 1st- August 7th
Where – Kansas State University in Manhattan;
Why – For Democracy to work, we must learn how to work together;
How – Apply at American Legion Boys' State of Kansas ... (ksbstate.org)
If you are interested in this program and need a sponsor to help pay for the cost, please contact Mrs. Johns at cjohns@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.