90% attendance as of 12/18/25 means 10 or less absences out of 88 possible days for the school year.

Congratulations to Pre-Kindergarten for increasing the % of students not classified as chronically absent! Congratulations to 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. Latham's third grade homeroom for winning the attendance trophy for November with an average daily attendance rate of 96%!

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

Can't wait to see which DeSoto family wins our drawing in January 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 how they demonstrate the school-wide Tier I expectations of respect and responsibility at school, at home, and in the community.

Check out Ms. Smith's kindergarten class who are working towards earing a class popcorn party by gaining daily PBIS points for demonstrating respect, responsibility, and safety!

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

House of Talon (Blue): 15,253

House of Ryuu (Green): 13,127

House of Ember (Red): 15,549

House of Drago (Black): 13,740

Which House will earn the most points at the end of Quarter 2 to participate in our next House Celebration?

On Thursday, 1/8/25 all grade levels will come together for house meetings. During this time each house will review house chants, schoolwide Tier I expectations, and our upcoming schoolwide Tier I reinforcer for January. Each house will work on a shared activity related to the 100% Accountable mindset! Students will complete individual self-reflections in their House journal the following day during morning meeting.

Check out the link below to review the meeting agenda and activity with your student.

100% Accountable House Meeting

Congratulations to the Terrific Kids who embodied the We Are Connected Mindset! We are so proud of our Dragons: Eliana, Ethan, Allyana, Gael, Milena, Flavia, Ashley, Melina, Eimy, Alicia, Alva, Amelia, Ian, and Rony!

A very special thank you to our Music teacher, Mr. Kilincer, who put together our Winter Concert! We were thrilled to have so many of our DeSoto families join us to spread holiday cheer!

The Grinch has been spotted at DeSoto Elementary! Our festive visitor supported our amazing safety patrol students by checking their post duties and opening car doors for families at dismissal. Proof that even the Grinch can't resist the joyful spirit of DeSoto during the holidays, he was seen skipping with a teacher and posing for a picture with a student wearing a Grinch sweater!

DeSoto's Green Garden was able to provide green onions to our Community Food Pantry this December. We can't wait to share more harvests in the new year!

A very special thank you to Mateo J.'s family for reading our newsletter and donating a requested dragon fruit plant to DeSoto's Green Garden! Our Dragons were able to plant it in December.

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

Congratulations to 4,720 students who participated in the recent Legends of Learning Thanksgiving Break 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:

Talin Aggarwal      Deer Park     Completed 28 activities

Ryan Ramirez        DeSoto          Completed 26 activities

Eliza Lake               Lutz K-8          Completed 25 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.

We encourage our students to show off their legendary science skills this Winter break with HCPS and Legends of Learning. Can't wait to see who the top 3 students in the district are!

Did You Know? — All Insights Help Us Grow!

As we prepare for the upcoming Continuous Improvement Survey, we’re shining a light on what truly helps schools grow — a sense of belonging. Students, families, and staff all play a vital role in shaping our culture of connection and care.

For “Students” – Belonging Builds Confidence
Students who feel they belong at school are 2.5 times more likely to be engaged in learning and form positive relationships with peers and teachers.
When students feel seen, they show up — and shine!

For “Families” – Your Voice Makes a Difference
When families share feedback, schools gain powerful insights into what is working and where to grow.
Your participation strengthens the bridge between home and school, ensuring that every family feels valued and heard.

For “Staff” – Connection Fuels Commitment
Staff who experience belonging report stronger teamwork, higher satisfaction, and deeper commitment to student success.
Together, we’re building school communities where everyone feels supported — inside and outside the classroom.

For All of Us – Belonging Is a Districtwide Priority
The Continuous Improvement Survey aligns with our district’s vision of creating safe, welcoming, and high-performing schools.

When We Listen to Every Voice, We Strengthen Every School.

You may complete the survey online between January 5 – 23, 2026.

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.

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

January Calendar of Events

Monday, December 22nd - Friday, January 2nd

No School

Monday, January 5th

Non-Student Day

Tuesday, January 6th

Students return to school

Thursday, January 8th

K-5th grade students will meet with their houses for a morning meeting.

Friday, January 9th

2nd grade field trip to Florida Aquarium

Friday, January 9th

Students from the winning Quarter 2 House will join an outdoor celebration.

Thursday, January 15th

Kindergarten field trip to Florida Aquarium

Thursday, January 15th

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.

Thursday, January 15th at 3:00 pm

Join us for a Family Fun Night. Registered participants will learn strategies to support your child's reading development, enjoy a free meal, and participate in reading activities and games - including raffle giveaways!

Click on the link to pre-register:

RSVP to Hillsborough Education Foundations Family Literacy Event at DeSoto Elementary School

100% Accountable

Theme Day Name: Own It Day, Friday, January 16th

Dress-Up Idea: Wear superhero shirt, gear, or cape to represent responsibility and empowerment.

Monday, January 19th

Non-Student Day

Wednesday, January 21st

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

Thursday, January 22nd

1st grade field trip to Zoo Tampa

Friday, January 23rd

Parents of the student chosen by each homeroom teacher for embodying our previous 7 mindset, 100% accountable, will be invited to attend a morning celebration.

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

Thursday, January 29th from 3:00-6:30 pm.

Teachers will schedule conferences with families to review attendance, behavior expectations, academic progress, and state/district assessment scores.

Friday, January 30th 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.

Friday, January 30th

Our January PBIS Event will be Bingo! 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