Wildcat Growl
April 23, 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,
Congratulations to Joe Kordalski! Mr. Kordalski has been named DTA Teacher of Excellence for De Soto High School. Mr. Kordalski serves DHS as our Social Worker, and we appreciate everything he does for our school community.
We also want to congratulate Mr. Ryan Johnson and Mr. Jim Bonar. Both have been recognized as Making a Difference Award winners for the month of March.
Nominations are currently accepted for the Making a Difference Award for the month of April. Nominations are due April 30th, 2021. All staff members are eligible to receive this award. Making a Difference nomination form > https://bit.ly/USD232MAD
State assessments will continue next week. We ask and appreciate the scheduling of appointments outside of these dates. Thank you.
Spring 2021 State Assessment Dates:
· 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
Just a reminder that we do not have school Friday, April 30th, and Monday, May 3rd.
Student Council has partnered with the Children’s Miracle Network/KU Med-Pediatrics in planning a fun event called ‘Dance Marathon’. This fundraiser scheduled for the evening of April 29th has student teams participating in all kinds of fun activities. As students begin to form teams, if you are interested in contributing to their efforts, information about the Children’s Miracle Network and the De Soto Dance Marathon can be reviewed 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.
Seniors and senior parents – information about Senior Awards, graduation rehearsal, and the graduation ceremony has been updated on our website. Cap and gown distribution will take place on May 14th, the same day students will receive the checkout form. This form must be completed and turned in to Ms. Carver in order to receive the diploma.
It includes confirmation of:
- grades,
- materials have been returned (Textbooks, MacBook, equipment), and
- all fees have been paid.
Attendance at graduation rehearsal is required in order to participate in the ceremony.
This week, Mr. Kordalski addresses 'healthy risk-taking' in the Habits of Mind series. Check it out.
Kind Regards,
Sam Ruff
Principal
Habits of Mind
DHS Families,
Thanks for checking in and reading this week’s Habits of Mind post. In this week’s video I talk with students about the importance of taking healthy risks in and out of class. This is the perfect time to build on our skills to finish a class, assignment, or project strong by engaging in ways that may have not been done or with the frequency needed to achieve positive results. There are lots of occasions during this time of the year that produce a mentality of, “riding it out” until the end of May. Risk-taking by increasing participation in classes, taking on small leadership roles, pursuing a summer job opportunity, and broaching conversations that have been set aside can all be ways for our students to feel valued and a part of something. I hope that in the coming weeks we can all work to support these conversations and continue to encourage growth and success after a long year.
Enjoy the sunshine this weekend and take care,
Joe Kordalski, LMSW
Attention Seniors: Caps and Gowns will be available for pick up May 14th during lunch
Robotics Team competition season update
We wanted to send out a quick note to let you know how awesome the district robotics team has done this season thus far.
Just like so many other things, this season has looked different than in past years. Instead of going to one or two big regional competitions the team had the opportunity to compete in three different challenges that didn't involve travelling to other schools.
One of these challenges involved the students developing a product and a business plan to help people become more active. The students then presented this pitch to a panel of judges including industry professionals. In the first round, our students were in the top 116 teams of over 4,600 teams and were named Semi-Finalists!
The students involved have spent a tremendous amount of time and effort to make sure their proposal was well-researched and polished. If you have a member of the robotics team in class, please congratulate them and wish them luck with the other two challenges that are still awaiting results!
Have a great day!
Neil McLeod
DHS members of the district robotics team:
Matthew Deibert
Adam Slocum
Julie Steeb
Bobby Remillard
Ethan Hays
Moses Morton
Joshua VanDeCreek
Joshua Vinod
Anna LeCluyse
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.
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.
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.
- Jess Johnson Scholarship (Rotary Club): Deadline April 30
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
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.