Wildcat Growl
May 22, 2022
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 the Class of 2022! Each year, we are lucky to have outstanding students walk across the stage to receive their diplomas. Thank you to members of DHS Voce for singing the National Anthem. Thanks to Cole Krudwig, Abigail Campbell, Stephanie (Brooke) Lininger, Brady Huggins, and Mr. Robie for speaking. I also want to thank those in attendance for providing the warranted standing ovation to the students enlisted in our Military Services. This was the first time in the last seven years we've recognized those students at graduation. Having two of my own sons serve in the Army, I appreciate that we were able to recognize those students.
If you are interested in purchasing the picture of your graduate receiving the diploma at the graduation ceremony -here is the link. It may take up to two weeks for all the pictures to be uploaded to the site.
Last Wednesday, we celebrated the Class of 2022 during the Senior Awards in the new De Soto Performing Arts Center (PAC). Over 165 seniors were recognized.
On Friday, after Senior Breakfast, we held an all-school assembly in which seniors, Lillie Sullivan and Lilly Champlain, and Mr. Tim Mispagel spoke to the student body. After which, the Class of 2023 transitioned into their new role as leaders of our school. They heard from the 2023 Student Council President, Lauren Pratt, and Mr. Mike Murphy.
Congratulations to the DHS Baseball Team! They defeated Mill Valley en route to a Regional Championship, qualifying them for the state tournament. They will play at Wichita State University at 1:15 PM on Thursday, May 26th. Good Luck, team!
Congratulations to the Boys and Girls Track and Field Teams! They both placed 2nd in the Regional Track meet held at DHS on Friday. Multiple Wildcats qualified for the State Track Meet held at Cessna Stadium on the campus of Witchita State University, on May 27th and the 28th.
The DHS Boys Golf team tees off at the State Golf Meet on Monday, May 23rd at Quail Ridge Golf Course in Winfield, Kansas. Good Luck, Wildcats!
We are excited to share with you that Philip Kaul, Matthew Bradford, and Brian King were nominated for the Making a Difference Award for the month of April! The nomination window is open for May! Please consider nominating ANY USD 232 staff member that has made a difference in the life of your student. Making a Difference Nomination Form
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.
Online Enrollment for the 2022-2023 school year is now available through Skyward.
Thanks, and have a great week.
Sam Ruff
Principal
De Soto High School
Varsity Track and Field
UKC Track Athlete of the Year
Girls Swim
De Soto Boys Golf
Boys Tennis
From the Nurse
“Medication in the nurse’s office needs to be picked up by the end of the school day on May 24th or it will be disposed of. Please email the nurse mfarverlightcap@usd232.or if you have questions.”
Reminders from the Nurses for next school year:
Medications-If your student takes a daily medication in the nurse’s office or has an emergency or as needed medication to be given by the nurse, we must have a signed doctor’s order for the medication. A prescription bottle is not enough for the nurse to give the medication. Please see the policy from our district website below.
General Information Concerning Medication Administration
Medicine or drug will only be administered in a school facility, on school property, or at a school sponsored activity under the following conditions:
- A licensed physician or dentist has given written permission and instructions for the administration of all medicine, vitamins, medicated cough drops, etc. The prescription or written direction from the physician or dentist must be dated and identify the medicine of drug to be administered, the dosage to be administered, the time of day for each administration, and the anticipated number of days to be administered.
- A parent/guardian has given written permission for administration of the medicine or drug.
- The original container must accompany all medicine or drugs: two(2) containers, one (1) for home and one (1) for school, may be requested from a pharmacist.
- Any change in the type of medicine/drug, dosage, and/or time of administration must be accompanied by a new physician/dentist and parent/guardian and a newly labeled container.
- Click here for the Medication Form
Immunizations-If your child received any new immunizations over the summer, please send those to be recorded in Skyward. If nothing has changed and they were a student in the district last school year, I do NOT need another copy.
Please note, the incoming 11th graders will need at least one dose of the meningococcal vaccine on or after their 16th birthday, as required by the KDHE. As an alternative, you can provide a religious exemption signed by the parent or a medical exemption from your physician. Please email any updated immunizations to lcater@usd232.org
Health conditions-If your child has a new health condition, please update this information during Skyward enrollment. If your child has Severe Allergies, Diabetes, Seizures or Asthma-please complete the Health Intake Form on Skyward enrollment or on our website.
Physicals dated on or after May 1, 2022 may be sent to our Athletic Secretary, Lori Cater. Her email is lcater@usd232.org
I encourage you to make a copy for yourself, in case one is needed for camps outside of our district.
Have a safe and healthy summer!
Paraprofessionals and Student Nutrition Positions Available Now
Note from the Counselors:
Resources from CollegeBoard:
Parent Action Plan for Seniors
FAFSA Resources:
Quick Video Instructions on how to fill out the FAFSA
DHS Counselors and Social Worker
Crissy Johns (A-G): CJohns@usd232.org
Marge Eckard (H-N): meckard@usd232.org
Kaitlin Britt (O-Z): KBritt@usd232.org
Joe Kordalski (Social Worker): Rkordalski@usd232.org
Kansas State University’s Health Professions Summer Program:
KSU is launching a new health professions program for current high school juniors and seniors. This week long program is for students who are interested in a career in helping others through the health care industry. The program will run from July 10th – 15th. Registration opens on March 14th. For more information, visit https://www.hhs.k-state.edu/summerhealthprogram/
The City of Lenexa is Hiring
Listed below are the opportunities that we currently have available:
Full-time:
Park Maintenance Workers in our Turf Division
Maintenance workers in our Street and Stormwater Divisions
Construction Project Manager- Public Works Department
Equipment Mechanic
Police Officer
Police Dispatcher
Custodian/Building Service Workers -Evening Shifts
Assistant Rec Center Manager
Recreation Supervisor- Sports
Forestry Technician
Park Maintenance Workers in our Facilities Division
Part-time and Seasonal opportunities:
Equipment Operator (Field Mowing)
Park Attendants
Park Maintenance Worker (Landscaping Division)
Recreation Program Instructor - Preschool and Youth Sports
Group Fitness Instructor
For more information on these opportunities and to apply please have visit our website at www.lenexa.com/jobs.
If you have any questions on this information, please contact me at 913-477-7574.
Thanks again for your assistance.
Colleen Bowen
Human Resources Specialist
City of Lenexa
Pro X and KC Scholars Summer Internship Opportunity
KC Scholars is looking for high school students for a 5 week paid summer internship opportunity. Students will need to commit to 25 hours per week and will be paid $1250 for their time. Prior to the internship, students will participate in a workshop to learn how to create a resume, interview tips, and prepare for the ProX Hiring Fair which will lead to their summer internship that is aligned with your interests. Application opens March 11th. For more information, visit https://proxsummer.org/.
Roo Honors Academy @ UMKC, June 20-24
Roo Honors Academy invites high school students to participate in a fun and intellectually engaging one-week summer enrichment program, June 20-24, 2022, at the University of Missouri-Kansas City Honors Program. RHA 2022 will offer four non-credit classes on: the sociology of sports, public health and infrastructure, communication, and criminal justice.
Participants will choose one morning course and one afternoon course taught by UMKC faculty members. All classes will be held from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on the Volker campus, near the Country Club Plaza. Students have the option of living in the dorms for the week for an additional fee. On Friday, June 24th, families and students are invited to attend a dinner and the student exhibition. Dinner will begin at 5:00PM, and the students will showcase what they learned throughout the week.
Students need to provide their own transportation to and from the campus. Lunch will be provided throughout the week. Students who successfully complete their courses will receive a Recognition of Achievement certificate from the UMKC Honors Program and a Roo Honors Academy T-shirt.
This selective program is open to thirty students in grades 9-12. Students receiving free or reduced lunch are eligible for scholarships.
The deadline to apply is June 1, 2022. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Please click the link below for the application.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeB0SuhV9Ggbxs8DlAJFlLsTqWn4U-aa43zNiFhFwhy0Ba94A/viewform
For more information, see the Roo Honors Academy page on our website, or email Director of Student Services Margo Gamache at gamachem@umkc.edu, cc’d here.
Additionally, we would be happy to visit your school to discuss the UMKC Honors Program as a whole. Please email Margo Gamache to schedule a visit.
Johnson County Community College – Summer Transportation Institute -
When: Monday – Friday, July 25 – August 5, 8am-5pm
Where: We will start on the main campus of Johnson County Community College each morning.
Participants will be traveling throughout the metro to participate in hands-on
demonstrations at airports, rail yards, trucking centers, waterfront ports, etc.
Cost: $0, all expenses are covered
Who: The camp is open to anyone, but we are targeting female, minority, and disadvantaged
youth who may not be able to attend other camps this summer.
Requirement: Participants must fill out an application. We are limited to 20 participants. The interest
form and course info can be found at www.jccc.edu/jcccnsti.
Selection Criteria:
• Must be entering 9th, 10th, or 11th grade in August.
• Must have completed algebra or will be qualified for enrollment in algebra in August.
• Must have a minimum of a 2.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale.
• Must be a KS resident.
• Commit to attend all 10 days of the camp.
• Qualify for either free or reduced lunch
What will take place:
The Johnson County Summer Transportation Institute (JCSTI) will use resources both on and off campus
to allow students to explore in depth regional transportation industries. The transportation curriculum
will be focus on land (rail and trucking), air (air traffic control), and water (inland ports and barge
transportation). While experiencing firsthand the inner workings of these transportation industries,
students will gain knowledge of efforts towards a sustainable transportation system. Further the JCSTI
will partner with the JCCC Center for Sustainability to provide curriculum in sustainable transportation.
The curriculum will also include enhancement activities designed to help students with career planning
and overall professionalism within the workplace.
As an on-going project throughout the camp, students will work in groups on a project to reflect on how
all the modes of transportation come together to move goods. The students will be tasked with planning
how to transport goods across the country using rail, truck, inland waterway, and air. The student
groups will be assessed based on how quickly they can transport the goods, the estimate cost of doing
so, and how much of a carbon footprint their proposed shipping will leave behind. Each day of the camp,
students will collaborate on their project for at least one hour.
For a copy of the application, please contact Mrs. Johns, DHS Counselor
Questions? Please contact Molly Salisbury at summeryouth@jccc.edu.
Foley Equipment ThinkBig Internship Program
This is paid internship program where high school graduates can:
- Earn an Associate of Science Degree
- Receive hands-on training on Caterpillar equipment
- Participate in a 7 week paid internship each semester
- Receive $14,000 worth of tools (theirs to keep during and after the program, provided minimum qualifications are met)
- Gain full time employment upon graduation
- Receive scholarships
- Receive tuition reimbursement
For more information click here: Foley ThinkBig Internship.
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.