Wildcat Growl
October 2, 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,
Congratulations to Jennifer Sosna and Lori Cater! Both are our DHS Staff Members of the Month for September. We appreciate all that they do for our students.
As classes for the first semester of the 2020-21 school year settle in, we’d like to clarify our expectations for students. Students not in physical attendance at DHS should complete classwork via Canvas. The ‘Canvas Days’ are designed to be learning days that students are busy for a typical school day/during school hours, but they are home. The lessons and assignments teachers post are ones that students should be working on following their check-in at 7:50 am. A typical student would engage anywhere from 4-6 hours on assigned work during his/her Canvas days.
In order to assist students, teachers have regular Zoom office hours at various times throughout the day. This allows students access to teachers on Canvas days. The teacher office hours and Zoom link are posted on the homepage of each Canvas course. The Zoom office hour schedule can also be viewed on our website here.
Beginning on October 7th, we are providing free online peer tutoring after school on Wednesdays via Zoom – called Virtual Study Tables. The specifics are included below. A huge ‘Thank You’ to those students and staff assisting with Virtual Study Tables.
Parent-Teacher Conferences will be held virtually on Wednesday, October 28th, and Thursday, October 29th. Each teacher will send families information on October 19th about conference appointment sign-up. We look forward to the opportunity to connect with you to gain insight and discuss student progress.
We are excited to welcome back DHS alumna, Ms. Elaine Mayer. Ms. Mayer joins our English Language Arts Department, teaching English 10 and ACT Prep. We are excited to have Elaine join our team.
The Academic Week at a Glance for the week of October 5th (found here) can be reviewed on our website. The Academic Week at a Glance provides detailed information for Hybrid and Optional Remote students about the schedule for each day of the week.
Kind Regards,
Sam Ruff
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
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.
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.
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).
Dropping off forms or items for your student?
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.
Parents Choosing the Opt Out Process-Virtual Counseling for Students
USD 232 cares about the social-emotional wellbeing of all students. Given the changing circumstances surrounding school, we know students’ wellbeing must continue to be a focus. We are pleased to continue offering virtual sessions for students with their school’s social worker/counselor when meeting in person is not an option. All video conference sessions will be through a platform called Zoom and we will take steps to ensure the sessions comply with HIPAA and FERPA requirements. However, if a parent would prefer that their student not participate in virtual sessions with the school social worker or counselor, you may opt out by completing a simple form: VIRTUAL COUNSELING OPT OUT FORM
De Soto Pep Club
Click on De Soto Pep Club 2020 to order your pep wear today!
Deadline is October 3rd.
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.
Schedule Changes
The window for schedule changes has passed. If a student is facing challenges in classes, we ask that the student reach out to teachers to ask questions. Teachers have Zoom office hours that students can attend for assistance. Office hours are posted on each Canvas course homepage.
In addition, starting October 7th from 3-4, every Wednesday, students can take part in Virtual Study Tables. If students need additional assistance, they can reach out to their counselor.
PSAT UPDATE
PSAT UPDATE
DHS is pleased to announce that the PSAT/NMSQT test will take place on January 26, 2021 for all sophomores and juniors who wish to take the exam. The January administration will have the same benefits as the October PSAT/NMSQT, including eligibility for programs administered by National Merit Scholarship Corporation.
Be on the lookout in November for registration information and procedures. For more information about the PSAT/NMSQT visit https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/psat-nmsqt-psat-10
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.
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.
FAFSA 2021-22 Application Opens Soon!
FAFSA 2021-22 Application Opens Soon!
Seniors who are attending a post-secondary institution next year need to fill out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). This application will determine eligibility for grants and scholarships and many colleges and universities, but also provides loans as well. Students can begin filling out the 2021-22 application, starting October 1st. For more information, please visit: www.studentaid.gov.
JCCC has a helpful website on completing the FAFSA and offers assistance daily from 10 am – 3 pm via Zoom. Visit https://www.jccc.edu/admissions/financial-aid/ for more information.
The Johnson County library is offering an online step by step session to help students and parents with the FAFSA process. The next session available is October 28th from 6:30 to 8 pm. Students must register by visiting the following link: JCCC FAFSA Event.
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 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)
Meet with the KU Rep Virtually
Our KU rep will be available to meet with students virtually next Tuesday and Thursday at 1:00. Students can sign up with the following links below.
Registration link for Thursday October 1st :
Meet with the University of Missouri Rep Virtually
Student Services has scheduled a virtual info session for students at De Soto High School on Tuesday, October 27th at 4:30 pm. Students who are in our system will receive an invite one week out and then one day out. Do you have a way to send out the registration info on your end?
If so, students can register at https://futuretigers.missouri.edu/register/DHS102720.
Meet with Emporia State Representative
COLLEGE REPRESENTATIVE VISITS
Emporia State
Meet with the Emporia State Representative, Stephanie Darden via Zoom on Thursday October 8th or Tuesday, October 13th at 2:00
Zoom link: https://emporiastate.zoom.us/j/93418273009
Zoom with Fort Hays State Rep
Information is below.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://fhsu.zoom.us/j/93214606913?pwd=NkF5ekFQcytLTENjM3pNaFZOaHBBQT09
Meeting ID: 932 1460 6913
Passcode: 441766
District Recommendation for Students Returning from Quarantine or Isolation
If a student is gone from school due to a COVID-19 quarantine or isolation, the district is recommending that students disinfect their textbooks, library books and MacBook at home before coming back to school.
Thank you.
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
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.