90% attendance as of 9/25/25 means 3 or less absences out of 33 possible days for the school year.
Congratulations to 4th grade for rocking our attendance goal!
DeSoto Elementary School
Attendance
DeSoto's Data (As of Thursday, 9/25/25)
Our 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.
Attendance - Every Day Matters!
Check out our hallway board for DeSoto's homeroom attendance competition! Our board is updated weekly and each month, all students in the homeroom with the highest daily attendance percentage get a donut and the class keeps the attendance trophy in their room all month.
Congratulations to Mrs. Latham's 3rd grade homeroom for winning the attendance trophy for August!
Attendance Tips for Families
Blaze the Bell Beater
Blaze the Bell Beater was at DeSoto in September! Each child who was present and on time that day received a prize and their names were entered into a drawing. Congratulations to Saphira G.'s family, who won the drawing and will receive a gift card!
Can't wait to see which DeSoto family wins our drawing in October when Blaze returns!
Positive Behavior Intervention System (PBIS)
DeSoto's Data (As of Friday, 9/26/25)
Congratulations to 5th grade and 2nd grade for awarding the most points!
October PBIS Event
Our October PBIS Event will be a Treat Trail. Students who have earned at least 100 PBIS points can spend those points to participate in this event on Friday, October 31st following our vocabulary parade.
We are in need of candy donations! Please send in a bag of candy with your student or drop off at the front office for the Treat Trail. Thank you!
DeSoto's House System
House Meetings & Chants
Our first House meeting of this school year was held September 23rd. Students joined peers and staff members from their same House in a special morning meeting. Each House learned their character traits and chant.
Link: DeSoto House Chants
House Points (As of Thursday, 9/25/25)
House of Talon (Blue): 9,433
House of Ryuu (Green): 9,363
House of Ember (Red): 10,048
House of Drago (Black): 8,764
Did you know that you can help your child earn 2 PBIS points per day just for arriving to school on time?
Which House will earn the most points at the end of Quarter 1 to participate in a House Celebration?
7 Mindsets - Passion First!
DeSoto's STEM Academy
The 2025-2026 school year is starting with a focus on science vocabulary. Using K-5 Bridge to Vocabulary Program, DeSoto is participating in several activities throughout the school year to improve students’ science vocabulary knowledge. Starting off with our morning show word of the day where classes compete to show their knowledge of science vocabulary. We also have words up in the cafeteria, hallway, and media center for classrooms to focus on and participate in activities within each location. Finally, there are centers set up in the media center where students focus on activities to build their nature of science standards. We are sure with this focus on science vocabulary; students will gain knowledge and skills to improve their science learning.
DeSoto's Green Garden
Part of DeSoto’s STEM Academy, DeSoto’s garden is ready to go!!!! Last year the garden had a major overhaul!!! Special thanks to the Mayor’s office and City of Tampa’s Solid Waste for supporting the soil, plants and, manpower it took to redo our planters to be ready to go this year. Students will be using the garden for inquiry-based science learning. We currently have pineapple plants, blueberry plants, apple, fig, and peach trees in our garden. We are planning on planting onions, carrots, cilantro, lettuce and tomatoes throughout the year and share with our DeSoto food pantry in the spring. If anyone has access to or can donate a dragon fruit plant, let the office know! The students have been asking for one. Of course they have, we are the Desoto Dragons!
October Events
Picture Day, Thursday, October 2nd
Fall picture day is Thursday, October 2nd. Students may wear school uniform or other school appropriate clothing. Every child will be photographed regardless of photograph purchases. Photo packages may be purchased by sending in money in the envelope provided or purchasing online. Please click the link below to order pictures online.
Fall Pictures 10-2-2025 Strawbridge Studios
You may also visit the website www.strawbridge.com and use the code: FM467937 to purchase pictures online.
Terrific Kid Celebration
Friday, October 3rd
Parents of the student chosen by each homeroom teacher for embodying our previous 7 mindset, everything is possible, will be invited to attend a morning celebration.
Personal invitations will be sent home to the elected student's family.
Bess the Book Bus
Tuesday, October 14th
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.
Quarter 1 House Celebration
Friday, October 17th
Our winning House will have an outdoor celebration with snacks, snow cones, games, and playground/recess time.
7 Mindsets Theme Day
Passion First
Theme Day Name: Passion Power Day, Friday, October 24th
Dress-Up Idea: Dress as something that represents your passion (sports jersey, artist apron, instrument shirt, etc.).
All Pro Parents Breakfast
Friday, October 24th 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.
Spooky STEAM Night
Thursday, October 23rd
Come join us for an evening of spooktacular science activities on Thursday, October 23rd from 3:00-5:00 pm! This is a family event focused on 3rd-5th grade students allowing them to explore Math and Science content in a fun way. All members of the family are welcome to attend.
Vocabulary Parade
Friday, October 31st
We will have a vocabulary parade during the school day. This will be a day that students may dress up to illustrate the meaning of a vocabulary word. All costumes must follow the following guidelines:
No masks
No weapons of any kind
No scary costumes
No blood on costumes
Please send a change of clothes in case your child wants to change out of their costume.
Excellence in Education
Congratulations to our 2025-2026 Excellence in Education nominees! We are so proud of our Dragons!
Teacher of the Year
Mrs. Julie Latham (3rd grade Math & Science Teacher) is recognized for her outstanding dedication to the academic achievement of her students.
Ida S. Baker Diversity Educator of the Year
Ms. Melissa Watson (School Social Worker) is recognized for going above and beyond to meet the needs of our diverse student population.
Instructional Support Employee of the Year
Ms. Maria Negron Lopez (Asst Culinary Manager, SNS) is recognized for ensuring our school and our students have the proper care and services available to promote an enriched and safe environment.
Report Cards Available Online
Report Cards will be available online on Monday, October 27th.
DeSoto's Resource Map
Link to access our 2025-2026 Resource Map:
Join SAC/PTA/Volunteer
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
Follow us
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