A Message from the Principal
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Happy Sunday, Deer Park Parents and Guardians!
We have another busy week ahead, and there is plenty to catch up on in this week’s newsletter. Please take a few minutes to read through it so you don’t miss any important updates, reminders or upcoming events.
As always, please reach out if you have any questions or if there is anything we can do to help.
Have a great week, and Go Cats!
John Vander Meer
Principal, Deer Park Jr./Sr. High School
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Friday Night Under the Lights
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It was another great week in the Park that culminated with a Deer Park takeover of Veterans Memorial Stadium in Reading on Friday night. Everything that is so much fun about high school life was on display!
A huge CHL rivalry game with Reading brought out the best of Wildcat Pride. That pride was evident everywhere—from the incredible turnout of our community, parents, and staff to the amazing talents of our students.
One of the best-kept secrets is the talent of our Cheerleading Squad. Not only are they talented athletes, but they are outstanding in their execution and performance. Our football team remained undefeated and picked up their first conference win, showing an outstanding defense and an offense that can run through you, around you, and also go over you through the air.
We ended the night with the Deer Park Band performing after the game. Not only did our fans and community stay in full force, but our football players and cheerleaders stayed to support their classmates as well. One of my favorite parts is always seeing the number of cheerleaders and football players in their sports uniforms performing in the band.
Deer Park is an amazing school district with so many unique opportunities for our students. That is why it is always “A GREAT DAY TO BE A DEER PARK WILDCAT!!”
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Parent Teacher Conference Sign-Up
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Please use the link below to reserve your time slot. If you need help with the sign-up process, check out our quick how-to guide [here/attached]. If you have any concerns about your student's progress, we strongly encourage you to sign up so we can partner on support early.
Let us know if you run into any issues signing up!
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Homecoming Dance Requirements
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We are rapidly approaching our Homecoming Weekend as we celebrate 200 years of Deer Park Schools! One of the most exciting parts of Homecoming for our high school students is the Homecoming Dance. Below are the expectations we have shared with students in order to attend. Please take a few minutes to review them, and let us know if you have any questions.
Our Homecoming Dance will be held on Saturday, October 10, 2026, from 7:00–10:00 PM in the Deer Park High School Gymnasium.
Dance Information
- Date: Saturday, October 10, 2026
- Time: 7:00–10:00 PM
- Location: High School Gymnasium
- Ticket: $30 PRESALE ONLY
- Ticket Sales: Wednesday, 10/7 during breakfast and HS lunch & Thursday, 10/8 during HS lunch. ALL SCARLET STUDENTS MUST EMAIL HENRY.KA@DPCCSD.ORG TO ORDER TICKETS AND SUBMIT PAPERWORK.
- Attire: Semi-formal
- All students must be checked in by 8:00 PM.
- If you purchase a ticket but do not arrive by 8:00 PM, your parent/guardian will be notified.
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Student Attendance Requirements
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Students must meet all of the following requirements to attend:
- No more than 3 absences. Medical absences are excluded with proper documentation.
- No out-of-school suspensions.
- 2026–2027 school fees must be paid. The fee is $50 per student and can be paid through PaySchools Central.
- Students must be in high school; no junior high students will be permitted to attend.
- All students must complete the required waiver and guest form (if applicable) in order to attend. Waivers and guest forms require student and/or parent signatures; please see the attachments or Mrs. Henry for paper copies.
Please make sure you meet all attendance, behavior, completed form, and fee requirements before purchasing your ticket.
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Sandy’s Closet Open Tuesday, September 15 | 6-7:30 p.m.
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On Tuesday, September 15th, Sandy's Closet will be open from 6-7:30 p.m. for Deer Park residents looking to shop for fall clothing for children of all ages.
No appointment is needed. The entrance to Sandy's Closet is located along the Southeast side of the Holmes Building, toward the back of the parking lot.
For any questions, individuals can contact Pam Gilreath.
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When:
Tuesday, September 15
6-7:30 p.m.
Location:
Holmes Building
8688 Donna Lane
Questions:
Contact Pam Gilreath at 513.936.4698 or gilreath.p@dpccsd.org
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You may receive an email about your student having a schedule change to provide additional support in areas identified through our building-wide I-Ready testing. This is an important support for your student’s academic growth and success, not only throughout their school career but also as they prepare for future success as a professional.
We will conduct this assessment two more times throughout the school year to measure student growth. Once students have closed the identified gap, they will be able to move out of the additional support.
We are committed to the success of every student, and this is one way we work to ensure that all of our students have the support they need to be successful. Please let us know if you have any questions.
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Just a reminder to please make sure your child is meeting our dress code standards listed in the Student Handbook. You can find the Student Handbook on our website.
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The 2025-26 High school yearbooks are here! If you pre-ordered one, it will be delivered to you this week. If you have a senior who ordered one, it can be picked up in the office anytime during school hours.
Didn't order one and would like to? There is a limited number left for sale. First come first serve come see or message Ms. Sullivan at sullivan.c@dpcscd.org. The cost is $70.
**Presale for this school year will begin soon!
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Wildcat Packs Registration Now Open
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Registration is now open for Wildcat Packs, a Joshua’s Place program that provides food for students to take home on weekends at no cost to families.
To qualify, students must be enrolled in the Free and Reduced Lunch Program, and families must elect to participate in Wildcat Packs. Packs will be sent home with participating students each Thursday.
The first Wildcat Weekend Packs will be sent home Thursday, October 8.
Families can register in one of two ways:
Register Online – Google Form
Print the Wildcat Packs Registration Form
Complete the form and return it to school with your student.
Questions or concerns? Contact John Mathias, Program Director at Joshua’s Place, at john@joshuasplace.cc.
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Join the 2026 Deer Park Homecoming Parade!
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Homecoming is right around the corner, and we’re inviting Deer Park groups and organizations to participate in the 2026 Deer Park Homecoming Parade on Friday, October 9!
Parade lineup will begin at 5:30 p.m. in the parking lot behind St. John the Evangelist Church. Come help us celebrate Homecoming, pass out candy and show your Wildcat pride as we parade through the community!
Questions? Contact Lauren Troxell Clark at clark.l@dpccsd.org.
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Please be sure your FinalForms are updated prior to your child starting school, as mentioned above, before receiving his/her Chromebook. Please check your previously entered information for accuracy. You may click here to access the forms and get started.
Secondly, as a reminder, teachers use Schoology to keep grades and assignments up to date. Schoology’s platform offers a tremendous amount of information in a user-friendly version. You will be able to communicate with your child’s teachers and check homework and grades through Schoology. If you need your Schoology login information, please contact the main office at 513-891-0010.
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If your child is due for any state-mandated immunizations, please make sure those are taken care of as soon as possible and that the school receives updated documentation. If you have any questions about your child’s immunization records or requirements, please contact Christie Scholl, our school nurse.
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Please make sure your school fees are paid. The school fee for this year is $50. High school students must have this year's school fees paid in order to attend Homecoming.
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Deer Park Schools to Administer Terrace Metrics Assessments for Grades 6–12
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Deer Park Community City Schools will once again administer the Terrace Metrics Assessments to students in grades 6–12 throughout the fall. These assessments help the district better understand students’ social and emotional strengths and needs, ensuring that appropriate support systems are in place.
The assessment schedule is as follows:
- HS Grades 8, 10, and 11: September 16
- DP Discovery: September 22
All results are confidential. Teachers will not have access to individual student data. Only members of the school’s response team—such as counselors and school psychologists—will review the results, which are available immediately after completion.
This process allows the district to identify students who may benefit from additional support strategies. If a student indicates high distress, a member of the response team will contact parents or guardians to discuss the next steps.
One possible follow-up step may involve a “Clairity” assessment provided by Clarigent Health. This assessment includes a private, ten-minute conversation with a trained member of the response team. Rather than focusing on the answers themselves, the technology analyzes speech patterns to help determine the best course of action for the student.
For more information about the Terrace Metrics Assessments, click the link below.
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To opt out, click the link below and bring the signed form to the main office.
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