School lunch gives students the nourishment they need to stay focused, build healthy eating habits, and make the most of each school day. This week celebrates that impact and the dedicated food service professionals who make it possible.
Thank you to our cafeteria teams for serving our students with care each day!
#DeSotoServes #NationalSchoolLunchWeek
📈 Growing in Math. Achieving Excellence. That’s the DeSoto Difference!
DeSoto Parish Schools is proud to be recognized by the Louisiana Department of Education as a Top District of Excellence in Math LEAP Performance at a meeting of the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE)!
This recognition celebrates strong student growth and high performance in mathematics—reflecting our students' hard work, our educators' dedication, and our families' support.
Behind this achievement are classrooms where students tackle challenges, build confidence, and grow as problem-solvers. Together, we are helping students reach higher levels of achievement while building the math skills they need for future success.
Congratulations to our students, teachers, and school leaders! Your commitment to learning gives DeSoto plenty to celebrate. #TheDeSotoDifference #GrowingTogether
"Because he wants nothing but the best for his students, Mr. Thomas is constantly looking outward to see what more he can provide," states Anesha Ross, Director of Administration. "He uses his deep community ties to bring unique opportunities directly into his school."
High school is a time to set goals, explore opportunities, and prepare for the future. Thank you, Mr. Thomas, for supporting our Wolverines on that journey and for your dedication to the educators and families who stand beside them! #TheDeSotoDifference #DeSotoServes
🌟 October Employees of the Month 🌟
DeSoto Parish Schools is proud to recognize our October Employees of the Month! These outstanding team members demonstrate dedication, leadership, and a commitment to serving our students, schools, and community.
👏 Support Staff of the Month
Devin Gaddy: North DeSoto Lower Elementary
🍎 Teacher of the Month
Joseph Spratley: Mansfield High School
✨ New Teacher of the Month
Nina Butler: Mansfield Elementary
🏆 Leader of the Month
Dawn Asbell: North DeSoto Upper Elementary
Please join us in congratulating these exceptional employees for making a difference each day!
A special thank-you to Market Place Chevrolet, Alera Group, RBW Consulting, ANECA Federal Credit Union, and Great Commission Coffee for supporting this monthly recognition initiative and helping us celebrate the people who make DeSoto Parish Schools stronger.
#TheDeSotoDifference #DeSotoServes
"Mr. Hill understands that true progress is built on a foundation of strong, authentic connections," says Anesha Ross, Director of Administration. "By leading with unwavering positivity and prioritizing relationships, he creates a collaborative environment that continuously moves his school forward."
Students thrive with encouragement, guidance, and opportunities to grow. Thank you, Mr. Hill, for your commitment to our students and staff and for helping our Wolverines build the confidence to take their next steps! #TheDeSotoDifference #DeSotoServes
"Mrs. LaFollette is the absolute epitome of an instructional leader, setting the highest expectations for herself, her staff, and her students," says Anesha Ross, Director of Administration. "She leads by example, demanding excellence while digging deeper every day to create highly individualized paths to success for every student."
Thank you, Mrs. LaFollette, for building a positive and caring school culture where our Little Wolverines feel valued, supported, and excited to learn! Your dedication to students, teachers, and families helps our youngest learners grow in confidence and develop a lifelong love of learning.
#TheDeSotoDifference #DeSotoServes
"A welcoming school culture starts at the top, and Dr. Sims exemplifies this by consistently leading with a smile," states Anesha Ross, Director of Administration. "His radiant positivity sets a tone of joy and belonging that resonates deeply with our students, faculty, and the broader community."
School leadership brings students, educators, and families together around a shared purpose. Thank you, Dr. Sims, for your dedication to student success and your service to the Logansport community. We appreciate all you do for our Tigers!
#TheDeSotoDifference #DeSotoServes
"Mr. Kolniak transforms lives daily through his strong dedication to each student he serves," says Anesha Ross, Director of Administration. "We deeply appreciate his compassionate approach to education—always meeting students where they are and tailoring his support to help them realize their unique potential."
Every student deserves encouragement, meaningful learning opportunities, and people who believe in their potential. Thank you, Mr. Kolniak, for your service to the Grace House community and your commitment to helping students move forward with confidence and purpose!
#TheDeSotoDifference #DeSotoServes
DeSoto Parish Schools recorded a 94.52% district attendance rate for the week of September 28–October 2.
As we conclude the first nine weeks, we thank our students, families, educators, and staff for working together to make consistent attendance a priority. Every day in school provides valuable opportunities for students to learn, connect, and grow.
We hope everyone enjoys a safe and refreshing Fall Break! When we return, let’s begin the second nine weeks with renewed energy, strong attendance habits, and a commitment to making every school day count.
Together, we can reach our 95% attendance goal!
#AttendanceMatters #EveryDayCounts
All DeSoto Parish Schools and Administrative Offices will be closed October 5–9. We hope our students, families, and staff enjoy a well-deserved break filled with rest and time with the people who matter most.
Have a safe and wonderful Fall Break! #TheDeSotoDifference
Thank you for your support and cooperation as we have implemented our new clear bag policy. Keeping our fans, players, coaches, and school staff safe remains our top priority.
Before heading to the game, please review our clear bag guidelines and permitted items. We encourage you to arrive early to allow time for security screening and get settled before kickoff.
Thank you for helping us create a safe, welcoming game-day experience for everyone. See you under the lights!
#TheDeSotoDifference #FridayNightLights
From a warm welcome to a helping hand at just the right moment, our support staff make our schools places where students and families feel cared for. Their hard work, kindness, and attention to others' needs help keep our campuses running smoothly and our school communities connected.
👏 Congratulations to this year’s honorees! Thank you for the pride you take in your work and the heart you bring to serving others. #TheDeSotoDifference you make reaches far beyond your daily responsibilities, and we are grateful to have you in our DeSoto family.
DeSoto Parish Schools is excited to celebrate our 2026–2027 Campus New Teachers of the Year!
These rising educators have embraced teaching with enthusiasm, fresh ideas, and a commitment to helping students succeed. As they build their classrooms and grow in their craft, they are also building trust, sparking curiosity, and helping students gain confidence.
👏 To our honorees: Congratulations on this meaningful recognition! Your willingness to learn, collaborate, and bring your best to students each day makes you a valued part of our DeSoto family. We are proud to celebrate your succes and look forward to all you will accomplish! #TheDeSotoDifference
These outstanding educators bring learning to life, build meaningful relationships, and create caring classrooms where students feel valued and challenged to grow. Through their creativity, dedication, and belief in every learner, they help our students discover what they can accomplish—one lesson, one breakthrough, and one encouraging word at a time.
👏 Congratulations to each of our campus honorees! Thank you for serving our students, collaborating with your colleagues, and giving families so many reasons to be proud of our schools. #TheDeSotoDifference
In celebration of HR Professionals Day, DeSoto Parish Schools thanks our Human Resources team for the care, dedication, and expertise they bring to serving our employees. Thank you for caring for the people who make a difference for our students every day!
#HRProfessionalsDay #TheDeSotoDifference #DeSotoServes
DeSoto Parish Schools recorded a 94.93% district attendance rate for the week of September 21–25.
👏 A special shoutout to Logansport High School and Mansfield Middle School for exceeding their campus attendance goals this week! We appreciate the continued efforts of students, families, and staff across all our schools.
As we head into the final week of the first nine weeks and get closer to Fall Break, let’s stay focused and finish strong! Being at school and arriving on time each day helps students make the most of every remaining opportunity to learn, grow, and succeed.
Let’s keep showing up for one another—because #AttendanceMatters and #EveryDayCounts
Thank you to the Zearn team for joining us for day two of capturing our students’ incredible math growth and showing how Zearn is helping students embrace challenges, build confidence, and discover that every kid can be a math kid. 💛
We can’t wait to share their stories—watch for the full feature in October!
#TheDeSotoDifference #GrowingTogether
Our DeSoto Difference Makers shared how the strategic use of Zearn has helped build a growth mindset and a school culture where every kid can be a math kid.
We can’t wait to share their stories with you. Look out for the full feature in October!
#TheDeSotoDifference #GrowingTogether
📚 Calling all DeSoto students in grades K–12—use your voice to show why attendance matters!
Enter our Attendance Matters Video Speech Contest and inspire others to make every school day count!
📅 Contest Dates: September 14–November 6
🎥 Who Can Enter: All students in grades K–12
🏆 Awards: 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place gift card awards in EACH grade band—elementary, middle, and high school!
Every school day brings opportunities to learn, build friendships, and grow. Share your message about why showing up makes a difference!
🔗 Ready to participate? Visit https://www.desotopsb.com/page/department-of-student-services for contest resources, the entry form, and guidelines.
Families, encourage your student to enter and help their message shine. We can’t wait to hear why attendance matters to our students!
#AttendanceMatters #EveryDayCounts #GrowingTogether #TheDeSotoDifference
