Wildcat Growl
October 30, 2022
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
Wildcat Family,
The De Soto high school cross country team competed in the KSHSAA 5A State Cross Country Championship at Rim Rock Farm in Lawrence. The Wildcats raced Saturday with three earning All-State honors with the girls finishing 6th overall. Brooke Bundt (9) and Addison Gillespie (10) both finished in the top 20 in the girls’ race, earning them All-State honors. Sophie Landrum (29), Hope Marriott (56), Kat Meyer (66) contributed to the team score. Isabelle Butler (79) and Abby Sheerin (93) also ran in a very competitive 5A field. Josh Fullmer (7) and Vance Krudwig (28) competed individually in the boy's championship race. Fullmer's 7th place earned him All-State honors, and Krudwig's final stretch sprint placed him in the top 30. Great job to all of our runners!
Congratulations to the following students earning All UKC Volleyball recognition: Carson Schuman and Erin Barr (2nd Team All-Conference), and Chloe Kmiecik (Honorable Mention). Congratulations!
Our Quarter 1 CLASS Awards Recognition Ceremony was held last week. Each teacher is able to nominate one student for this award each quarter. Thank you to all the families in attendance.
Congratulations to the following students being recognized: Samantha Bartholomew, Nevaeh Bartlett, Bethany Blackmore, Sophia Boresow, Avery Bowlin, Brooke Bundt, Isabelle Butler, Gwyneth Capling, Ali Cheema, Violet Conley, Kiefer Davis, Lauralyn DeLeon, Alyssa Delibro, Diego Diaz Flores, Gloria Divine, Atley Edenfield, Wesley Flagor, Anthony Flores, Maite Foss, Joshua Fullmer, Tyler Gillespie, Evelyn Haro Rondan, Joseph Harris, Brock Hendrich, Riley Johnson, Carson Jones, Trevor Jones, Xavier Kenfe, Madalyn Klover, Josi Kral, Sophia Livingston, Peyton McFarland, Claire McGinn, Avery Mitchell, Sabrina Mitchell, Kaden Neal, Jacob Noyes, Clarissa Paisley, Paul Phillips, Aiden Reichle, Reagan Reilly, Dulce Rico-Iglesias, Emilio Rivera, Angel Rivera Villaneda, Jaime Rocha, Patrick Rooney, Hanna Sanders, Angelo Saunders, Marilyn Schlotzhauer, Isaac Schroeder, Ashley Scott, Abigail Sheerin, Antonio Sullivan, Katherine Thompson, Isaiah Toth, Arilynn Triana, Ellie Upp, Lydia VanBooven, Landon White, El Wilson, Tatum Wilson, and Jada Wolf.
On Saturday, October 29th SAFE and the DHS Leadership class organized a Trunk or Treat. Thank you to all the school groups for participating in the event and to the community for attending.
Congratulations to Kaitlin Britt, Lisa Bussell, Katie Fitzpatrick, Melissa Lehrman, Joel Thaemert, and Junelle Woolery! They are being recognized with a Making a Difference Award during the month of September. Nominations are currently accepted for the Making a Difference Award for the month of October with the award being presented in November. Anyone can submit a form for any USD 232 District Employee so nominate someone who has made a difference in your life! Making a Difference Nomination Form
Exciting news! On Monday, October 31st, The Cats Corner, our new school store/coffee shop will have its grand opening. They will be open from 7:30 am - 7:45 am every morning before school and all of the 4th block/lunch on White Days. All students can gain entrance to The Cats Corner through the Union.
We are celebrating Wildcat Spirit Week with dress-up themes each day of the week. Please review the flyer below.
The varsity football game this week will be played at DHS at 7:00 pm on Thursday, November 3rd. DHS will host the Broncos from Spring Hill High School. This change is the result of DHS being the site of the 4A-1A state soccer championships on Friday, November 4th, and Saturday, November 5th.
Tickets are now available for purchase for our fall musical Beauty and the Beast. The link and show dates/times are included below. We hope to see you there.
Thanks, and Go Wildcats!
Sam Ruff
Principal, DHS
Attendance Information
We want to share some important information and reminders for parents. During the summer, we added a new Attendance Office to the north student entrance (door #21). This new student-only entrance/exit will be where students should be dropped off or picked up during the school day (7:50 am - 2:55 pm). Visitors will continue to use the Main Entrance on the south side of the building.
Please remember to call DHS, before 10:00 am on the day of an absence if your student is absent. 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 due to a physician/medical/dental appointment verify the appointment by turning in an appointment note/slip from the healthcare provider. This helps us ensure the absence is excused rather than considered a parent request. Students can turn the note in to the attendance office when they return from the appointment.
Breakfast with Belle Fundraiser
The Drama program is hosting a Breakfast with Belle to fundraise for our fall musical, Beauty and the Beast. Please see the flyer and QR code for more information. There will be an all you can eat pancake buffet and an opportunity to take pictures in our castle with Belle and your other favorite characters!
KSPA - 2nd Place: Madison Glaser's Portrait
KSPA - 3rd Place: Maria Nino-Elliot's Portrait
School Meals
Homework Request Information
When your student is absent from school, please encourage your student to reach out to teachers requesting assignments missed due to the absence. Certainly, parents can also reach out to teachers, but part of becoming a self-directed independent learner is communication, being organized, and advocating for yourself. If your student is experiencing a longer-term absence (a week or more), our counselors are available to assist in this process.
Need to contact 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
De Soto High School students are invited to A Night With K-State Engineering!
The Carl R. Ice College of Engineering is hosting events for high school and community college students. Representatives will lead an interactive presentation for students and their guests to learn more about engineering. We would love for your students to join us at one of the following events:
· Lee’s Summit, Missouri | Summit Technology Academy | Thursday, Nov. 3
· YouTube Live | Tuesday, Nov. 29
Learn more about engineering degrees, scholarships, career opportunities and industry partners.
K-STATE NIGHT IN KC!
K-State is inviting all students from the KC area to join the Office of Recruitment and Admissions, academic colleges and other individuals from campus to join us for a K-State Night in the Kansas City area on Tuesday, November 15th. Students will hear from current and past K-Staters, including our Vice Provost for Enrollment Management, Dr. Karen Goos. We’re excited to share what life could look like as a Wildcat!
Event Details
Tuesday, November 15th
DoubleTree Overland Park
Program from 7:00-8:30 PM, Registration begins at 6:30 PM
Kansas ScholarShop
In partnership with Sallie Mae, Kansas State Treasurer’s office has launched the Kansas ScholarShop initiative. ScholarShop aims to restore hope and excitement for students seeking educational and career advancement after high school. With access to 6 million scholarships worth up to $30 billion; students can search and find scholarships, grants and awards tailored specifically to their deepest passions. For more information visit: https://kansascash.ks.gov/scholarshop.html
Cat Booster Club
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.