Wildcat Growl

Greetings Wildcats!

We're at an important point in the school year. The end of Semester 1 may still feel far away, but it'll be here before we know it. This time of year always flies by!

Please connect with your students on their progress, attendance, activity participation, etc... This is a great time of year to build positive momentum. A strong November is critical to a strong Semester 2!

3-Weeks, then it will be Thanksgiving Break 🦃

3-More-Weeks, then it will be Christmas Break, aka Semester 2! 🍃

• Congratulations to our Boys Cross Country team, 5A State Runner-Up! Ethan Palmberg, Phillip Sullivan, Hunter Crane, Bridger Reimche, Beau Kalkman, Liam O’Toole, and Ryan Vogt. Shout out to our state medalists Ethan (2nd), Phillip (7th), Hunter (15th), and Bridger (17th). Congratulations also to Kylie Mall, who placed 22nd at State.

• Congratulations to the De Soto Marching Band, a KBA Open Class State Finalist with “The Monarch’s Flight”!

• Good luck this week to:
• Boys Soccer, State Quarterfinal, Mon 11/2, 6 PM, at home
• Football, Playoffs vs. St. James, Fri 11/6, at home
• Unified Bowling, Tue 11/10, 3 PM, Royal Crest Lanes in Lawrence

Proud to be a Wildcat!

-Principal Thomas

New in Table of Contents

● [Important Updates]:

+ Academic Letter Winner

+ Custom Letter Jackets

● [Program Fundraisers]:

+ Blood Drive

● [Health-Safety-Belonging]:

+ REMINDER: Nov. 10th - - Free Dental Clinic

● [WILDCAT WIRE]:

+ Student Broadcasting Channel

● [GREEN PRIDE]:

+ Student Journalism

Veterans Day Recognition Ceremony The De Soto High School Leadership Class is hosting a Veterans Day Recognition Ceremony on Tuesday, November 10th, to honor and recognize the veterans in our community for their service and sacrifice. We invite veterans and their families to complete this form to let us know if they are interested in attending or participating in the ceremony. The information provided will help us plan the event and ensure our veterans receive the recognition they deserve. Link: https://tinyurl.com/zntj8r8m

More information in the link, and forthcoming!

Please see the buttons below for information regarding cap & gown ordering!

Graduation Patches information is forthcoming, and will be announced in a future GROWL!

DHS Counselors and Social Workers

Mrs. Crissy Johns (cjohns@usd232.org): Last name A – E

Mrs. McKenzi Mispagel (mmispagel@usd232.org): Last name F – La

Mrs. Lainee Graham (lgraham@usd232.org): Last name Le – Re

Mrs. Kaitlin Morrell (kaitlin.morrell@usd232.org): Last name Rh - Z

Mr. Joe Kordalski, Social Worker (Rkordalski@usd232.org)

Mrs. Debra Landis, Social Worker (dlandis@usd232.org)

The Cirkled In "No Sweat" Scholarship awards $2,500 quarterly to high school students. True to its name, this scholarship removes common application barriers - no essay, no GPA requirements, no income restrictions. Students complete a simple online application in under 5 minutes. Open to all U.S. high school students in grades 9-12, including homeschooled students. Click here to find out more.

We want to share some important information and reminders for parents.

• The student-only entrance/exit (North Entrance Door #19) is where students will 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.
• If you are planning to pick up your student during the school day you will need to call at least 30 minutes ahead to allow enough time to locate your student.
• Absences, early dismissals and late arrivals can be submitted in Skyward under attendance in the guardians Skyward account. You can also call in a prearranged absence ahead of time. The 24-hour attendance voicemail is 913-667-6259.
• Please remember to report the absence before 10:00 am on the day of, if your student is not at school.
• 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.

Late Start Wednesdays:

• Bus Transportation runs as normal, and bussed students will wait in the commons during breakfast from 7:30 - 8:15 (Collaborative Time is for Staff).
• North Attendance, and Front Doors are open at 7:30, and students will wait in the commons until 8:15
  
• Media Center and Activities Entrance Doors will open at 8:10

USD 232 is looking to connect with guest speakers, businesses, organizations, and community groups interested in supporting our students. If you or someone you know would like to partner with our schools through career exploration, classroom presentations, mentorship, internships, or other opportunities, we'd love to hear from you! Visit our Community Partner Hub to learn more and submit your interest: https://www.usd232.org/departments/academics/career-focused-learning/community-partner-hub.

We want to share a quick reminder to support families with the online registration process.

Families should continue using SkywardQ for online registration and student information access. You can find the updated login link, along with details about the Skyward mobile app, here:

🔗 Skyward Family Access

Parents can have peace of mind by viewing 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.

STUDENTSQUARE DESKTOP

APP INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS

Students! Please follow the directions in the PDF below if you want to activate the ParentSquare App on your taskbar of your Student-Issued MacBook!

ADVANTAGES: The app allows for a task bar icon, which could include notification icons as well.

NOTE: If the app isn't functioning correctly, please request support with a tech-request in the Technology Help Desk Button (above).

NOTE 2: You can ALWAYS utilize StudentSquare/ParentSquare through the web-based login!

Use these links to get the ParentSquare App on your Cell Phone, if interested!

Parents, just a reminder that students who are not feeling well should first be checking out with the nurse prior to leaving. The nurses will contact you for permission to send the student home, then students will check out through the attendance entrance. The nurse's will navigate in those circumstances, and requests to the attendance office are not required!

USD 232 will be offering a FREE dental clinic on Tuesday November 10, 2026 to all students enrolled at De Soto High School in compliance with Kansas State Statute 72-5201. If you choose to have your student screened at DHS, you can scan the QR code in the graphic below or use this link: https://app.formdr.com/practice/Nzk1MQ==/form/b0eJ6CcwAFz01N33LKxYJX6ZPa0JSgghO

El distrito USD 232 ofrecerá una clínica dental gratuita el martes 10 de noviembre de 2026 para todos los estudiantes inscritos en De Soto High School (DHS), en cumplimiento con la ley estatal de Kansas 72-5201. Si desea que su hijo(a) reciba la evaluación en DHS, puede escanear el código QR que aparece en la imagen a continuación o utiliza este enlace. https://app.formdr.com/practice/Nzk1MQ==/form/b0eJ6CcwAFz01N33LKxYJX6ZPa0JSgghO