90% attendance as of 1/22/26 means 10 or less absences out of 100 possible days for the school year.

Congratulations to Pre-Kindergarten, 2nd, 4th, and 5th grade for increasing the % of students not classified as chronically absent!

Congratulations to 4th and 5th grade for rocking our attendance goal!

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.

Congratulations to Mrs. Luis' second grade homeroom for winning the attendance trophy for December with an average daily attendance rate of 99%!

Blaze the Bell Beater was at DeSoto in January! Each child who was present and on time that day received a prize and their names were entered into a drawing. Congratulations to Chase W.'s family, who won the drawing and will receive a gift card!

Can't wait to see which DeSoto family wins our drawing in February when Blaze returns!

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 what classroom reinforcers they earn with PBIS points obtained by following our school-wide Tier I expectations!

Respect Others:

To show concern or consideration.

Feelings of admiration for someone or something.

A way of treating or thinking about others.

Showing regard for the feelings, wishes, rights or traditions of others.

Behaviors that help others feel calm, safe, and/or more cooperative.

Act Responsibly:

Integrity – doing what you’re supposed to be doing when no one is watching.

Ownership – being responsible for your choices.

Accountability – accepting consequences for your choices and learning from it for next time.

Perseverance - have a growth mindset (I do not know how to do it YET).

Ask your student how they demonstrate the school-wide Tier I expectations of respect and responsibility at school, at home, and in the community.

House of Talon (Blue): 2,859

House of Ryuu (Green): 2,819

House of Ember (Red): 3,033

House of Drago (Black): 2,647

Which House will earn the most points at the end of Quarter 3 to participate in our next House Celebration?

Congratulations to House of Ember (Red) who earned the Quarter 2 PBIS Celebration for having the most house points!

Congratulations to Kameron A.'s family who won a gift card for completing our PBIS Raffle form! They knew our School-Wide Tier I Behavior expectations: Respect Others & Act Responsibly and could give an example of a PBIS Tier I Reinforcer!

On Thursday, 1/8/26 students in kindergarten through fifth grade came together for house meetings. During this time each house reviewed house chants, schoolwide Tier I expectations, and our upcoming schoolwide Tier I reinforcer for January. Each house worked on a shared activity related to the 100% Accountable mindset!

Congratulations to the Terrific Kids who embodied the 100% Accountable Mindset! We are so proud of our Dragons: Abby, Addison, Liam, Sayr, Greg, Alex, Mateo, Kyren, Nylah, Jovani, Carol, Valentina, Zoe, and Julian!

Principal's Honor Roll: All A's or E's in Academics, no behavior indicators

Honor Roll: All A/B or E/S in Academics, no more than 1 behavior indicator

Citizenship: No N's in behavior indicators

Progress (Q2-Q4 only): Best effort/progress in any area (teacher discretion)

Outstanding Attendance: 1-2 absences and 5 or less tardies for the quarter

Perfect Attendance: No absences and 5 or less tardies for the quarter

Distinguished Dragon: Principal's Honor Roll OR Honor Roll, Citizenship, AND either Attendance award

17% of our students earned Perfect Attendance (100% attendance rate)!

41% of our students earned Outstanding Attendance (95%-99% attendance rate)!

76% of our students were not classified as chronically absent (90% or greater attendance rate)!

On January 15th, DeSoto hosted a Family Fun Night. Registered participants learned strategies to support their child's reading development, enjoyed a free meal, and participated in reading activities and games - including raffle giveaways! Congratulations to our raffle prize winners: the families of Alessi O., Mia B., Mateo J., Eimy L. & Rogelio B, and Alicia V. & Andrea V.!

Your Voice Matters, Take the Survey

Does your child have an Individual Educational Plan (IEP)?

Please take a moment and complete this important parent survey and let us know how well we are partnering with you.

The survey will remain open until June 15, 2026.

The survey can be completed on the web or mobile phone by visiting 2025-26 ESE Parent Survey

The results are in....................

Congratulations! To all of our HCPS students who participated in the recent Legends of Learning Winter Challenge! We appreciate you promoting this opportunity to extend science learning beyond the classroom. Your support helps spark curiosity and keep learning thriving, even during school breaks. 

Top 3 Students:

Richitha Korlakunta    Deer Park     Completed 32 activities

Min Kang                     Clark             Completed 11 activities

Kobe Hill                      Clark              Completed 9 activities

We appreciate your continued commitment to fostering a love of science in our students. Thank you for joining us in celebrating their hard work and enthusiasm for learning.

DeSoto students will be selling the Slice the Price card to raise money for fifth grade end of year activities beginning February 17 through March 3. All information will be sent home with students on February 17.

Watch this short video to see how the Slice the Price card can save you money at Domino’s!

The Slice the Price Card: Fundraising Made Easy - Day 1

The cost of the card is just $20* so it can quickly pay for itself! * plus shipping, if ordered online

Every time you buy a large pizza at menu price, you get a large pizza FREE!

Great for parties! Get double the large pizzas no matter how many you order!

UNLIMITED uses through 12/31/2026.

The Slice the Price card works in 2,609 Domino’s stores in 42 states and counting! 

Each student will be eligible to earn a prize based on their sales.

Teachers and students need our support, and Box Tops is a fast and easy way for you to help. How it works is simple: when you buy one of the 350+ participating products, you can earn on items you're already buying. Just scan or submit your receipt in the Box Tops app or shop with your Walmart connected account, and you'll earn money for our school.

Ready to start earning for our school? Get the Box Tops app today and use our referral code: BEED7HZW to join and earn 25 Bonus Tops in the Box Tops app.

February Calendar of Events

Thursday, February 5th

All students will have an opportunity to pick out free books to take home during a social book fair experience. Families can connect at home by enjoying these books together while instilling a love of reading.

Attitude of Gratitude

Theme Day Name: Gratitude Glow Day, Wednesday, February 11th

Dress-Up Idea: Wear bright, neon, or yellow to shine with gratitude.

Tuesday, February 12th

Class Pictures and Spring Individual Pictures are Thursday, February 13th. Students may wear school uniform or other school appropriate clothing. Every child will be photographed in the class pictures regardless of photograph purchases. Only students with pre-purchased photo packages will be photographed for the individual spring pictures. More information to come.

Friday, February 13th

Non-Student Day/Family Day at the State Fair

Each person who is 17 years of age or younger will receive free admission to the Florida State Fair until 5:00 p.m. with an admission paying parent or guardian, 21 years of age or older with valid ID.

Monday, February 16th

Non-Student Day

Wednesday, February 15th

Meeting at 2:15 pm in the media center. Please check in through the front office first.

Friday, February 20th

Parents of the student chosen by each homeroom teacher for embodying our previous 7 mindset, attitude of gratitude, will be invited to attend a morning celebration.

Personal invitations will be sent home to the elected student's family.

Monday, February 23rd

Kindergarten on-site field trip in the media center (Exploration Dome)

Friday, February 27th 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 with your student first.

Friday, February 20th

5th grade field trip to JA BizTown

Friday, February 27th

Our February PBIS Event will be Fine Arts! Students who have earned at least 100 PBIS points can spend those points to participate in this Tier I reinforcer event.

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.

Link to access our 2025-2026 Resource Map: DeSoto Resource Map

Join our School Advisory Council and/or PTA! Meetings are the 3rd Wednesday of each month at 2:15 pm (Anyone can join PTA $8)

English Volunteer Application link:

Complete Volunteer and Community Partner Application - English

Spanish Volunteer Application link:

Complete Volunteer and Community Partner Application - Spanish

Check our school website regularly for important information and news!

Link: Home | DeSoto Elementary School

Join our Facebook Page to stay up-to-date with all of the exciting things happening at our school!

Link: DeSoto Elementary School - Home of the Dragons | Tampa FL | Facebook