Wildcat Growl
March 19, 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,
We want to congratulate the boys’ basketball team for a great season. Following up the sub-state tournament victory with a win in the quarterfinal round hosted at DHS, qualified the team for the semi-final game of the 5A KSHSAA State Tournament in Emporia. The members of the team and the DHS fans throughout the area were great representatives of DHS. We are very proud of you.
Recently, the United Kansas Conference Boys Basketball Coaches met to make their 2020-21 All UKC Selections. Four Wildcats were chosen to the All-Conference list and Coach Rice also received honors. Congratulations to the following Wildcats!
Wyatt Noll was selected as 1st Team All UKC and the UKC Boys Basketball Player of the Year. Nate Barnhart was selected as 1st Team All UKC. Jackson Miller was selected 2nd Team UKC, and Hayden Henderson was selected as Honorable Mention UKC. Coach Matt Rice was also named UKC Boys Basketball Coach of the Year.
Three members of the Girls Basketball Team were chosen for the All-Conference lists. Katelynn Ostronic was selected as UKC Player of the Year, as well as 1st Team All-Conference. Kadey Waite was selected as 2nd Team All UKC, and Hayleigh Henderson was selected as Honorable Mention UKC. Congratulations Wildcats!
13 DHS Journalism students qualified for the 5A/6A Kansas Scholastic Press Association State Contest. Congrats to: Lynlee Hutchison, Abi Yarbrough, Ella Fixsen, Delana Marquez, Ciara Sumpter, Ashton Hoffman, Joey Dixon, Anna D’Andrea, Hunter Finerty, Lillie Sullivan, Kaitlyn Tjiptogarsono, Dylan McIntyre, and Alli Rozelle.
We are excited to announce that Amanda Sweet is the 2022 USD232 Secondary Teacher of the Year and our nominee for the Region 3 Kansas Teacher of the Year. Mrs. Sweet will be recognized at the Region 3 Virtual Awards Ceremony held Sunday, March 28th.
Congrats to the USD232 Making a Difference Award winners for the month of February! Jim Bonar, Rick Gude, Janet Morgenstern, and Leah Vomhof were recognized by a student, staff, or community member for making a difference in the lives of our students. Congrats!
Feel free to nominate a deserving individual: Making a Difference Nomination Form
The end of the third quarter is Tuesday, March 23rd. Spring Break begins Wednesday, March 24th, and students will return on Tuesday, March 30th. March 30th, the first day of the 4th quarter, is a White day.
State assessments will take place in April. We ask and appreciate the scheduling of appointments outside of these dates. Thank you.
Spring 2021 State Assessment Dates:
- 10th Grade English – April 6-9
- 10th Grade Math – April 26-29
- 11th Grade Science – April 26-29
- 11th Grade Optional Remote Science – April 26
- 10th Grade Optional Remote (English & Math) – April 28 & 29
This week, Mr. Kordalski addresses applying past knowledge to new situations in the Habits of Mind series. Check it out.
Kind Regards,
Sam Ruff
Principal
Habits of Mind
DHS Families,
Here we are. 3rd quarter is coming to a close and with daylight saving and the additional sunshine it is unmistakable that things are slowly changing. In this week’s Habits of Mind Series I discuss; applying past knowledge to new situations. While this topic is pretty straightforward there are so many variables that make doing so feel complex, and at times unattainable. As students and families this is a great time to look back at the previous quarters to set the stage for a great finish. The 4th quarter of the year comes with a number of additional challenges (spring fever, academic fatigue, less motivation, etc…) which tend to keep us caught in cycles of making the same mistakes or allowing the same barriers to get in our way of success. I often talk with students about taking advantage of this start by “pushing the pause button”, slowing things down and forecasting new ways to approach our challenges. This process often begins by reflecting on past experiences and the knowledge we have gained.
In this week’s parent resource there are some helpful points in the short article to consider when supporting your student’s academics.
Enjoy the sunshine. I wish your families a safe and restful Spring Break.
Joe Kordalski, LMSW
A&M Crew Applications
Applications for Ambassadors and Mentors (A&M Crew) for the 2021-22 school year are open! A & M Crew members serve DHS as Freshman Focus Mentors, provide building tours for new students, volunteer for event support throughout the year, and assist with peer tutoring during after school Study Tables. Any DHS student who will be a junior or senior during the 2021-22 school year is eligible to apply. Current A&M Crew members will need to reapply. Any questions can be directed to Abby Adams aadams@usd232.org . To apply fill out the following application by March, 30th 2021: https://forms.gle/o2VWko9Rxe4d2ETz9, you will also need one teacher recommendation filled out via this google form: https://forms.gle/YwzFdkGtLnj7ZPBk7
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.
Vision Screening
Wrestling All Academic First Team
Science Olympiad Qualifies for State for 5th Consecutive Year
The DHS Science Olympiad team will be participating in the state competition this April for their fifth consecutive year.
Please congratulate and cheer on the following students if you see them; they appreciate your support.
Seniors: Brent Smith (team captain), Kyle Smith, Caleb Kmiecik, Luke LeBar, Matthew Deibert
Juniors: Scott Blanck, Mason Laney
Sophomores: Alex Boresow, Lauren Fandre, Zach Myers
Important Information for Seniors Attending JCCC – Fall 2021
Seniors who are attending JCCC in the fall, need to complete the following steps to guarantee class enrollment for the fall semester:
- Apply for admission. If you have are already applied, you will need to change your status from high school student to degree seeking
- Complete an online orientation
- Schedule an appointment with an advisor to select classes
- Enroll in classes for the fall semester (Enrollment opens April 21st at 9 am)
- Apply for scholarships by April 1st. Students who fill out the application by this deadline will be considered for all JCCC Scholarships, including:
· JCCC CavGuarantee Scholarship: High School students that graduate with a minimum GPA of 3.25 and have submitted a JCCC admissions application, a 7th semester high school transcript (December grades), picked a degree major, and complete the JCCC scholarship application for the fall semester are guaranteed at least $500.00 in JCCC scholarships.
· JCCC Presidential Scholarship: One senior from every high school in Johnson County will be chosen to receive this scholarship. It is a full ride scholarship for two years, with a book stipend for each semester.
Scholarships for Seniors
The DHS Seniors Only Scholarships are now available for seniors to access.
Click on the following link: https://www.usd232.org/Page/3287
Winners will be announced at the Senior Awards Ceremony on May 21st.
- DHS CAT Booster Scholarship: Deadline April 9
- Shawnee Vision Care Scholarship: Deadline April 15
- McCarthy Auto Group Scholarship: Deadline April 15
- Trenton Hughes Scholarship: Deadline April 23
- Casey Blake Johnson Running Scholarship: Deadline April 23
- Jess Johnson Scholarship (Rotary Club): Deadline April 30
- De Soto Teachers Association Scholarship: April 15th
- De Soto VFW Scholarship: Deadline April 23rd
Research College of Nursing – Summer Nursing Program
Research College of Nursing is planning a summer program for rising high school juniors and seniors titled “Explore RCoN!”. This experience will help students explore not only our college but the nursing profession as a whole. Applications are open now through May 1, 2021!
· Students can choose to attend; June 7-9 or June 14-16
· There is a cap of 30 students attending the program each week
· Currently we are planning for scenarios of an on-campus event and a back-up plan of a remote experience if necessary
· To see a draft of the schedule, visit https://tinyurl.com/2021draftschedule
· Scholarships available through The Research Foundation, thanks to a grant from the R.A. Long Foundation
· Additional information about this summer exploration and scholarship opportunities can be found at www.researchcollege.edu/explore
JCCC Scholarship Application – Deadline April 1st
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.
KCKCC What to Expect Wednesdays:
Join KCKCC on Wednesday nights at 6 P.M. on the KCKCC Admissions Facebook page for a Live interactive event, "What to Expect Wednesdays"! Join our Admission Coordinators as they dive into topics like the enrollment process, college terms and how to get involved. The Coordinators will answer questions from parents and students as they come in live! This is a great way for students and parents to get started on their transition into the collegiate experience!
USD 232 Making a Difference Award
Anyone in USD 232 (staff, parents, students, etc.) can nominate any USD 232 employee. All teachers, support staff, custodians, administrators, secretaries, counselors, food service workers are eligible to receive this award. (Previous Making a Difference Winners ineligible). Monthly entries are encouraged as new nominations are reviewed on a monthly basis (i.e. we don’t look at nominations from previous months)
This award is given monthly throughout the school year to individuals who are truly “making a difference in the lives of young people” and was specifically created to celebrate and honor the exceptional teachers and staff in USD 232.
Thank you for taking the time to nominate your deriving candidate!
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.
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.
Paraprofessional Substitutes needed!
USD 232 is in need of paraprofessional substitutes who are flexible and willing to substitute throughout the district on an as needed basis. Stay-at-home parents make great substitute paraprofessionals! The ideal candidate is caring, compassionate and dedicated to the students’ success by looking for ways to support the teacher and making a positive difference in the lives of our children. Becoming a para sub is a great way to support the district, our students and our teachers which is needed now more than ever.
To learn more about becoming a substitute paraprofessional for the district, please speak with your Principal or contact Human Resources at the USD 232 District Office. Ready to apply?
Click here > Paraprofessional Substitutes for USD 232