DeSoto's Data (As of Thursday, 11/20/25) |
90% attendance as of 11/20/25 means 8 or less absences out of 88 possible days for the school year. |
Congratulations to Kindergarten, 1st, and 2nd grade for increasing the % of students not classified as chronically absent! Congratulations to Kindergarten, 4th, and 5th grade for rocking our attendance goal! |
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By the end of the 2025–2026 school year, DeSoto will increase student attendance so that at least 85% of students are not classified as chronically absent.
Criteria: Student must attend 90% or more of enrolled school days.
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Attendance - Every Day Matters! |
Congratulations to Ms. Lynch's first grade homeroom for winning the attendance trophy for October with an average daily attendance rate of 98%! |
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Blaze the Bell Beater was at DeSoto in November! Each child who was present and on time that day received a prize and their names were entered into a drawing. Congratulations to Anastasia's family, who won the drawing and will receive a gift card!
Can't wait to see which DeSoto family wins our drawing in December when Blaze returns!
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Positive Behavior Intervention System (PBIS) |
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DeSoto's Data (Quarter 2, as of Thursday, 11/20/25) |
Did you know that you can help your child earn 2 PBIS points per day just for arriving to school on time?
Ask your student how they demonstrate the school-wide Tier I expectations of respect and responsibility at school, at home, and in the community.
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School-Wide Tier I Expectations |
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PBIS Tier I Reinforcer Spotlight |
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Check out Ms. Bernal's kindergarten class who earned a class bubble party by gaining daily PBIS points for demonstrating respect, responsibility, and safety! |
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Check out our 4th and 5th grade classrooms who use a weekly menu students can pick from when spending the PBIS points they earn for respect, responsibility, and attendance! |
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Ask your student what classroom reinforcers they earn with PBIS points obtained by following our school-wide Tier I expectations! |
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House Points (Quarter 2, as of Thursday, 11/20/25) |
House of Talon (Blue): 9,159 |
House of Ryuu (Green): 8,598 |
House of Ember (Red): 9,658 |
House of Drago (Black): 7,877 |
Which House will earn the most points at the end of Quarter 2 to participate in our next House Celebration? |
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House Meeting - We Are Connected |
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On Friday, 11/14/25 all grade levels met together for house meetings. During this time each house reviewed house chants and worked on an activity related to the We Are Connected mindset!
Check out the link below to review the meeting agenda and activity with your student.
We Are Connected House Meeting
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7 Mindsets - 100% Accountable! |
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Congratulations to the Terrific Kids who embodied the Passion First Mindset! We are so proud of our Dragons: Angeli, Gael, Matheus, Carmella, Abigail, Khmari, Bliss, Joshuan, Magdiel, Rogelio, Atticus, Rosie, Saphira, and Alma! |
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Our 4th grade Team earned Bronze at the Math Bowl competition this year! Congratulations to our team of DeSoto Dragons and their math teacher, Ms. Bowen!
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Congratulations! DeSoto Elementary is the winner for the October district Legends of Learning Contest: School vs. School!
Each student will be awarded 5,000 Awakening Coins for their hard work!
Congratulations to our 5th grade science teacher, Mrs. Kilgannon, for earning top educator in the district leading in Learning Universe gameplay & videos for the month of October!
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HCPS Thanksgiving Break Challenge |
We encourage our students to show off their legendary science skills this Thanksgiving break with HCPS and Legends of Learning. Can't wait to see who the top 3 students in the district are!
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DeSoto's PTA Movie Night! |
Our PTA hosted a Movie Night on Friday, 11/7/25. Families huddled up on blankets and lawn chairs, purchased snacks, and watched Lilo & Stitch together! We enjoyed sharing time with our Dragon Family and appreciate the funds raised to help support our school. |
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A huge thank you to all of our community partners that participated! |
Students heard from members of the community about their careers, businesses, and passions. |
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Excellence in Action Awards |
Celebrating the difference one person can make |
Behind every student's success is someone who believes, supports, and goes the extra mile. Let's celebrate that special person by submitting an application.
The FDLRS Parent & Family Services team invites parents and students to submit nominations for the Excellence in Action Awards. This award recognizes teachers, staff, administrators, bus drivers, therapists, and community members who make a positive impact in the lives of students with special needs across Hillsborough County.
Nominations accepted until Monday, February 2, 2026
Excellence In Action Awards - FDLRS Hillsborough
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Tuesday, December 2nd
1st grade field trip to Glazer Children's Museum
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5th to 6th Grade Transition to Middle School |
Wednesday, December 3rd from 2:15-3:00 pm
In coordination with Title I, we invite our 5th grade families to join us and learn more about 5th to 6th grade transition to middle school including school choice and magnet options.
Please check in through the front office first.
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Friday, December 5th
Parents of the student chosen by each homeroom teacher for embodying our previous 7 mindset, we are connected, will be invited to attend a morning celebration.
Personal invitations will be sent home to the elected student's family.
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Friday, December 12th
HCPS Literacy Bus will be visiting DeSoto.
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Tuesday, December 16th at 8:00 am
Families of students in kindergarten through second grade are invited to a winter concert.
Please check in through the front office first.
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Tuesday, December 16th at 2:30 pm
Families of students in third through fifth grade are invited to a winter concert.
Please check in through the front office first.
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Wednesday, December 17th
Meeting at 2:15 pm in the media center. Please check in through the front office first.
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Friday, December 19th
Our December PBIS Event will be a Movie Day. Students who have earned at least 100 PBIS points can spend those points to participate in this Tier I reinforcer event.
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Friday, December 19th
PreK on site field trip - Bits and Pieces Puppet Theater
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Friday, December 19th
End of 2nd grading period
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All Pro Parents Breakfast |
Friday, December 19th from 7:00-7:30 am.
Join us for breakfast with your student. Parents and kids will engage in meaningful conversations and activities that strengthens their relationship.
Please check in through the front office first.
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Monday, December 22nd - Friday, January 2nd
No School
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Monday, January 5th
Non-Student Day
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Students Return to School |
Tuesday, January 6th
Students return to school
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In partnership with New Worlds Reading & Hillsborough Education Foundation |
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HCPS Community Eligibility Program (CEP) |
Every student in HCPS can enjoy a free breakfast each morning. In addition, many schools participate in the Community Eligibility Program (CEP), so every student can receive lunch at no cost. All students at DeSoto are eligible to receive free breakfast AND lunch at no cost. |
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Holiday registration is open for any families needing assistance with food for Thanksgiving and Christmas as well as Christmas gifts. Go to: Get Help During The Holidays to register. Use the tab on the top right corner of the website to select language. |
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