Wildcat Growl
October 2, 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,
Thank you to all the families who joined us in person and virtually for Parent-Teacher Conferences. Our teachers have reported how great it was to get to collaborate with families on the success of our students. If you were unable to arrange a conference, feel free to reach out to your student’s teachers to set up a time to meet.
We also want to thank the Cat Booster Club for providing teachers dinner on Wednesday night, and breakfast Thursday morning. We greatly appreciate all you do for the students and staff at DHS.
The district is accepting nominations for the USD 232 Making a Difference Award. Complete a nomination form for any USD 232 staff member to recognize and celebrate the exceptional teachers and staff in our district. Nominations are reviewed monthly.
As the end of the first quarter is just a few weeks away, what has been a great 2022-2023 school year seems to be flying by. Soon it will be time for graduation. Information about the graduation ceremony can be viewed on our website (here). This year, the ceremony will begin at 10:00 am on Saturday, May 20th.
The senior class will meet with a representative from Jostens in the Performing Arts Center (PAC) during the closed seminar on Monday, October 3rd. Information about ordering your cap and gown for the graduation ceremony will be presented.
The last picture retakes of the year take place on Wednesday, October 5th. If you were absent or unhappy with your picture, Interstate Studios will be set up in the Blackbox to retake your picture.
On Wednesday, October 5th, USD 232 is hosting the annual College & Career Planning Night at Cedar Trails Exploration Center (CTEC). The event will begin at 6:00 pm and will end at 8:30 pm. There will be presenters from K-State, KU, JCCC, and more. Topics that will be covered include FAFSA, advice for college athletes, and more!
During seminar on Friday, October 7th, Jostens will return to DHS to speak with Junior and Sophomore students interested in purchasing a class ring. This meeting will take place in the PAC.
The end of the first quarter of the school year is Thursday, October 20th. After teachers submit quarter 1 grades, they will be posted to Skyward on Tuesday, October 25th.
Information about the variety of activities we have planned for FutureReady Day - on Wednesday, October 26th is included below. It will be important for students to return permission slips (DHS planned college visits and service activities) in the coming weeks. The senior college visit/job shadow forms will be due Friday, October 28th.
Thanks, and have a great week!
Sam Ruff
Principal
De Soto High School
National Merit Commended Scholars
Attendance Procedure and Tips
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.
Future Ready Day: October 26th
Future Ready Day is scheduled for October 26th. On this day, students participate in a variety of activities assisting them in planning for their future.
On October 26th, all 9th/10th-grade students are scheduled to take the Pre-ACT. This important assessment simulates the ACT test experience, predicts ACT test scores, and offers insight to students toward post-secondary readiness.
Additionally, 11th-grade students will participate in a school-supervised college visit. Students will have an opportunity to select from a list of colleges. Thanks to a USD232 Education Foundation grant, all transportation will be provided by DHS. In the coming weeks, Juniors will be sent a survey asking them to rank their preference from the list of schools.
On the same day, our 12th-grade students will be able to select from several activities including:
- Senior Service Day - community service projects.
- Taking the ASVAB - a test provided by the United States Military Entrance Processing Command measures developed abilities and helps predict future academic and occupational success. This option may also include a field trip to the Armory to meet with and listen to presentations given by US Armed Services personnel.
- individually/self-planned college visits*, or
- job shadow*.
We are sending each Senior a survey this week to self-select which activity they are choosing. (*college visits and job shadows require the completion of a form found in Student Services)
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.
Picture Retakes, October 5th
Retake Picture Day is 10/5/22! If you're satisfied with your child's picture, no further action is required.
If you purchased and were unhappy with your Picture Package, please send your Picture Package to school with your student on Retake Day. Your Retake Picture Package will be produced and shipped to the school four weeks after Retake Day. Please note, if your child is photographed on the original and Retake Picture Days, the Retake picture will replace the original picture in certain products, like the yearbook.
Students who were absent for Picture Day should come to school prepared to have their picture taken. If you have not preordered, please use the Retake Order Code 69357QF to place your order at https://inter-state.com/Order. To see your Order History, check your Inter-State Account.
Find answers to Retake Day questions here.
One-Chip Challenge
We all know the power of social media and the various 'challenges' that spread easily as a result. While that influence can be positive: to share, promote, or connect - it can also promote actions that are negative or unhealthy. One recent trend we've been dealing with at DHS is the one-chip challenge.
Parents, please discourage your students from engaging in this at school. This challenge has resulted in several students needing to be sent to the nurse's office. Attempting or promoting other students to engage in this 'challenge' while at school is disruptive and will be addressed. Thank you.
School Meals
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
College Representatives Visiting
A representative from the following Universities will be in Student Services during seminar if your student is interested in more information.
Date they are coming: College:
10/6/22 Kansas University
10/13/22 Missouri State
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
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 Jason Anderson, CFA, CFP, of Gradmetrics, as he walks line-by-line through the FAFSA form, using it to explain the ins-and-outs of the college admissions and financial aid process.
· Tuesday, Oct 18th 6:30-8pm (at the Central Resource Library and online via Zoom)
Registration is required. Go to jocolibrary.org/events and check "Career and Finance" in the Event Type section.
Wednesday, October 5th, 2022
Ready to go to college? Not sure where to start in your planning? Want to hear from some experts on the subject?
Save the date and join us at the Cedar Trails Exploration Center for an evening event all about planning for College.
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.