De Soto #73 School District
610 Vineland School Road De Soto, MO 63020
Reading, Writing, and Pizza Making at De Soto Intermediate!
Earlier this week, 4th grade students at De Soto Intermediate brought their reading to life after reading How Tía Lola Came to Stay!
Inspired by the pizza-making in the story, students had the opportunity to create their very own pizzas! Afterward, they put their writing skills to work by recording step-by-step directions for making their pizzas so they could share their recipes with their families at home.
What a fun and delicious way to connect reading, writing, and real-world skills!
Earlier this week, 4th grade students at De Soto Intermediate brought their reading to life after reading How Tía Lola Came to Stay!
Inspired by the pizza-making in the story, students had the opportunity to create their very own pizzas! Afterward, they put their writing skills to work by recording step-by-step directions for making their pizzas so they could share their recipes with their families at home.
What a fun and delicious way to connect reading, writing, and real-world skills!
Learning is Happening at De Soto Primary!
Our youngest Dragons are busy learning, growing, and having fun at De Soto Primary School! From the classroom to the library and gym, exciting things are happening every day!
Ms. Milton’s 1st Grade: Students are putting their creativity to work and strengthening their writing skills!
Mrs. Emmon’s Kindergarten Library Classes: Our little Dragons are exploring library books and practicing their skills with fun color-by-number activities!
Mr. Aylesworth’s and Mr. Simpher’s Kindergarten PE Classes: Students are staying active while developing their kicking and throwing skills!
Ms. Bayless’s 1st Grade: Students are working hard on their writing skills and learning how to express their ideas through words!
Whether they're writing stories, exploring books, or building physical skills, our Primary Dragons are learning something new every day!
Keep up the great work, Primary Dragons!
Our youngest Dragons are busy learning, growing, and having fun at De Soto Primary School! From the classroom to the library and gym, exciting things are happening every day!
Ms. Milton’s 1st Grade: Students are putting their creativity to work and strengthening their writing skills!
Mrs. Emmon’s Kindergarten Library Classes: Our little Dragons are exploring library books and practicing their skills with fun color-by-number activities!
Mr. Aylesworth’s and Mr. Simpher’s Kindergarten PE Classes: Students are staying active while developing their kicking and throwing skills!
Ms. Bayless’s 1st Grade: Students are working hard on their writing skills and learning how to express their ideas through words!
Whether they're writing stories, exploring books, or building physical skills, our Primary Dragons are learning something new every day!
Keep up the great work, Primary Dragons!
IMPORTANT SCHEDULE REMINDERS, DRAGON FAMILIES!
Just a reminder that tomorrow is Thursday, October 15, which marks the END OF THE 1ST QUARTER!
Friday, October 16 – EARLY RELEASE DAY!
Please plan accordingly for the following early dismissal times:
High School & Middle School: 11:40 AM
De Soto Intermediate: 12:30 PM
De Soto Primary: 12:50 PM
Early Childhood Center (ECC):
Full-Day: 12:25 PM
Half-Day AM: No School
Half-Day PM: No School
Thank you, Dragon Families, for your continued support!
Just a reminder that tomorrow is Thursday, October 15, which marks the END OF THE 1ST QUARTER!
Friday, October 16 – EARLY RELEASE DAY!
Please plan accordingly for the following early dismissal times:
High School & Middle School: 11:40 AM
De Soto Intermediate: 12:30 PM
De Soto Primary: 12:50 PM
Early Childhood Center (ECC):
Full-Day: 12:25 PM
Half-Day AM: No School
Half-Day PM: No School
Thank you, Dragon Families, for your continued support!
Learning is Happening at De Soto Intermediate!
Our Dragons are hard at work, and there’s so much great learning happening in classrooms throughout De Soto Intermediate School!
Mrs. Carr’s 3rd Grade: Students are diving into The Raft, exploring the catalysts that helped the main character grow and change throughout the story.
Mrs. Drummond’s 5th Grade: Students are putting their science knowledge to the test with an engaging game of Gimkit!
Mrs. Randolph’s and Ms. Stephenson’s 3rd Grade Classes: Students are showing what they know as they tackle their math assessments!
Mrs. Johnson’s 4th Grade: Students are strengthening their math skills by learning to add multi-digit numbers.
Ms. Ray’s 3rd Grade: Students are getting creative and developing their writing skills through personal narratives!
A Special Visitor! Some of our classrooms even had the opportunity to welcome a special guest, our Board of Education President, Mrs. Wilson! We love having our Board members visit our schools and see firsthand the amazing learning taking place each day!
From reading and writing to math and science, our Dragons are learning, growing, and challenging themselves every day!
Keep up the great work, Intermediate Dragons!
Our Dragons are hard at work, and there’s so much great learning happening in classrooms throughout De Soto Intermediate School!
Mrs. Carr’s 3rd Grade: Students are diving into The Raft, exploring the catalysts that helped the main character grow and change throughout the story.
Mrs. Drummond’s 5th Grade: Students are putting their science knowledge to the test with an engaging game of Gimkit!
Mrs. Randolph’s and Ms. Stephenson’s 3rd Grade Classes: Students are showing what they know as they tackle their math assessments!
Mrs. Johnson’s 4th Grade: Students are strengthening their math skills by learning to add multi-digit numbers.
Ms. Ray’s 3rd Grade: Students are getting creative and developing their writing skills through personal narratives!
A Special Visitor! Some of our classrooms even had the opportunity to welcome a special guest, our Board of Education President, Mrs. Wilson! We love having our Board members visit our schools and see firsthand the amazing learning taking place each day!
From reading and writing to math and science, our Dragons are learning, growing, and challenging themselves every day!
Keep up the great work, Intermediate Dragons!
National School Lunch Week is THIS WEEK!
We're celebrating National School Lunch Week across all De Soto #73 schools with a chance for students to win a CLASS PIZZA PARTY!
Here's how to enter:
Eat school lunch each day!
Fill out a ticket provided by our SUPER AWESOME Lunch Ladies!
Turn in your ticket for a chance to win!
Students will have the opportunity to enter EVERY DAY they eat school lunch!
At the end of the week, we'll draw winners from each school for a CLASS PIZZA PARTY!
A HUGE shoutout to our amazing School Nutrition Team for keeping our Dragons fueled and ready to learn every day!
We're celebrating National School Lunch Week across all De Soto #73 schools with a chance for students to win a CLASS PIZZA PARTY!
Here's how to enter:
Eat school lunch each day!
Fill out a ticket provided by our SUPER AWESOME Lunch Ladies!
Turn in your ticket for a chance to win!
Students will have the opportunity to enter EVERY DAY they eat school lunch!
At the end of the week, we'll draw winners from each school for a CLASS PIZZA PARTY!
A HUGE shoutout to our amazing School Nutrition Team for keeping our Dragons fueled and ready to learn every day!
Exploring Careers in Manufacturing!
Last week, De Soto High School students attended Manufacturing Day at Jefferson College, where they had the opportunity to explore exciting career pathways in the manufacturing industry!
Students participated in hands-on program tours in Welding, Precision Machining Technology, and HVAC, explored interactive displays, and connected directly with local employers to learn about their careers, products, and impact on our community.
Events like Manufacturing Day provide valuable real-world experiences, helping students discover career opportunities and explore possibilities for their futures!
It's a great day to be a Dragon!
Last week, De Soto High School students attended Manufacturing Day at Jefferson College, where they had the opportunity to explore exciting career pathways in the manufacturing industry!
Students participated in hands-on program tours in Welding, Precision Machining Technology, and HVAC, explored interactive displays, and connected directly with local employers to learn about their careers, products, and impact on our community.
Events like Manufacturing Day provide valuable real-world experiences, helping students discover career opportunities and explore possibilities for their futures!
It's a great day to be a Dragon!
OCTOBER BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING
The De Soto #73 School District Board of Education will hold its October meeting on Thursday, October 15, at 6:00 PM.
De Soto Primary School Cafeteria
3775 Athena School Road
De Soto, MO 63020
Board of Education meetings are open to the public, and all are welcome to attend. We hope to see you there!
The De Soto #73 School District Board of Education will hold its October meeting on Thursday, October 15, at 6:00 PM.
De Soto Primary School Cafeteria
3775 Athena School Road
De Soto, MO 63020
Board of Education meetings are open to the public, and all are welcome to attend. We hope to see you there!
Sportsmanship Beyond the Scoreboard!
Last night, our De Soto Middle School football team walked away with more than just a win against Hillsboro—they showed what it truly means to be a Dragon!
Following the game, our players made a point to walk over to the Hillsboro bench to shake hands with an injured player who was unable to join his teammates on the field.
This simple act of kindness and respect speaks volumes about the character of our student-athletes. Winning games is great, but showing compassion, respect, and sportsmanship is what truly matters!
We couldn't be prouder of these young men for representing De Soto with such class!
Once a Dragon, Always a Dragon!
Last night, our De Soto Middle School football team walked away with more than just a win against Hillsboro—they showed what it truly means to be a Dragon!
Following the game, our players made a point to walk over to the Hillsboro bench to shake hands with an injured player who was unable to join his teammates on the field.
This simple act of kindness and respect speaks volumes about the character of our student-athletes. Winning games is great, but showing compassion, respect, and sportsmanship is what truly matters!
We couldn't be prouder of these young men for representing De Soto with such class!
Once a Dragon, Always a Dragon!
Dragon Families: Important Schedule Reminders!
Thursday, October 15 – End of 1st Quarter!
Friday, October 16 – EARLY RELEASE DAY!
Please plan accordingly for the following early dismissal schedule:
High School & Middle School: 11:40 AM
De Soto Intermediate: 12:30 PM
De Soto Primary: 12:50 PM
Early Childhood Center (ECC):
Full-Day: 12:25 PM
Half-Day AM: No School
Half-Day PM: No School
We appreciate our Dragon families for helping us make dismissal run smoothly!
October is School Principals Month!
This month, we are proud to recognize and celebrate the incredible principals who lead our schools each and every day!
Our principals wear many hats—leaders, problem-solvers, encouragers, supporters, and champions for our students and staff. Their dedication, leadership, and commitment help make our schools great places to learn, grow, and succeed.
Throughout October, we’ll be celebrating our principals and thanking them for all they do for our students, staff, families, and the entire Dragon community!
Happy School Principals Month!
This month, we are proud to recognize and celebrate the incredible principals who lead our schools each and every day!
Our principals wear many hats—leaders, problem-solvers, encouragers, supporters, and champions for our students and staff. Their dedication, leadership, and commitment help make our schools great places to learn, grow, and succeed.
Throughout October, we’ll be celebrating our principals and thanking them for all they do for our students, staff, families, and the entire Dragon community!
Happy School Principals Month!
Learning through a little experimentation!
Ms. Anderson’s FACS class recently put their kitchen skills—and creativity—to the test with an experimental Rice Krispies Treats lab!
Students brainstormed what they thought the correct measurements should be for each ingredient and then put their ideas to the test. The lab provided a fun, hands-on way to demonstrate the importance of recipes, accurate measurements, and following directions when cooking and baking.
The good news? All of the Rice Krispies Treats were yummy! The lesson? They may not have all turned out quite like students expected—and that’s exactly what made this experiment such a great learning experience!
Sometimes the best lessons come with a sweet treat!
Ms. Anderson’s FACS class recently put their kitchen skills—and creativity—to the test with an experimental Rice Krispies Treats lab!
Students brainstormed what they thought the correct measurements should be for each ingredient and then put their ideas to the test. The lab provided a fun, hands-on way to demonstrate the importance of recipes, accurate measurements, and following directions when cooking and baking.
The good news? All of the Rice Krispies Treats were yummy! The lesson? They may not have all turned out quite like students expected—and that’s exactly what made this experiment such a great learning experience!
Sometimes the best lessons come with a sweet treat!
WE’RE HIRING BUS DRIVERS!
The De Soto #73 School District is looking for Full-Time and Substitute Bus Drivers to join our Transportation Team!
Help us safely transport our Dragons to and from school each day while making a difference in our school community.
Full-Time Bus Drivers
Substitute Bus Drivers
Interested in joining our team? Apply today!
Have questions? Contact April McKinney at mckinney.april@desoto.k12.mo.us or at 636-586-1078.
Come drive with us and make a difference for our students!
A huge shoutout to our Middle School Cheerleaders!
After every game—whether they’re cheering at home or away—our cheerleaders take time to pick up trash in the stands before they leave.
It’s their way of giving back to the communities that welcome and support them, and we are so proud of them for showing that being a Dragon is about more than what happens during the game.
Thank you, ladies, for leading by example and representing De Soto with pride!
After every game—whether they’re cheering at home or away—our cheerleaders take time to pick up trash in the stands before they leave.
It’s their way of giving back to the communities that welcome and support them, and we are so proud of them for showing that being a Dragon is about more than what happens during the game.
Thank you, ladies, for leading by example and representing De Soto with pride!
Calling All Career Day Presenters!
De Soto Middle School is looking for community members and professionals to share their careers with our students during our annual Career Day!
Friday, April 9, 2027
This is a great opportunity to inspire, educate, and make a difference by giving students a firsthand look at different careers, career paths, and the skills needed for future success.
Interested in presenting? Contact Kerri Lawson at 636-586-1030 ext. 4216 or lawson.kerri@desoto.k12.mo.us.
Real people. Real jobs. Big impact. Help us introduce our students to the many possibilities waiting for them in the future!
De Soto Middle School is looking for community members and professionals to share their careers with our students during our annual Career Day!
Friday, April 9, 2027
This is a great opportunity to inspire, educate, and make a difference by giving students a firsthand look at different careers, career paths, and the skills needed for future success.
Interested in presenting? Contact Kerri Lawson at 636-586-1030 ext. 4216 or lawson.kerri@desoto.k12.mo.us.
Real people. Real jobs. Big impact. Help us introduce our students to the many possibilities waiting for them in the future!
Happy Custodian & Maintenance Appreciation Day!
Today, we celebrate the incredible custodial and maintenance staff who work hard every day to keep our schools clean, safe, welcoming, and running smoothly.
Much of what they do happens behind the scenes, but their impact is felt throughout every building in our district. From early mornings to late evenings—and everything in between—we appreciate their dedication and all they do for our students and staff.
Please join us in saying THANK YOU to our amazing custodial and maintenance teams! We appreciate you!
Today, we celebrate the incredible custodial and maintenance staff who work hard every day to keep our schools clean, safe, welcoming, and running smoothly.
Much of what they do happens behind the scenes, but their impact is felt throughout every building in our district. From early mornings to late evenings—and everything in between—we appreciate their dedication and all they do for our students and staff.
Please join us in saying THANK YOU to our amazing custodial and maintenance teams! We appreciate you!
Celebrating Our K-12 ELA Curriculum Writing Team!
At the September Board of Education meeting, we were proud to recognize the dedicated educators who served on our K-12 English Language Arts Curriculum Writing Team.
Over the past two school years, this team has spent countless hours collaborating to update and revise our district’s ELA curriculum. Their work helps ensure that all students have access to a rigorous, guaranteed, and viable curriculum aligned with Missouri Learning Standards.
Please join us in recognizing:
Faith Wilkerson
Tiffani Fluck
Courtney Brown
Melissa Humphres
Amber Bayless
Kylie Bell
Madison Baur
Katie LaMar
Kelly Formann
Melanie Downs
Stacee Delarber
Jessica McWilliams
Aimee Orrick
Angela Gagnon
Margaret Carr
Betsy Weber
Heather Bourisaw
Robert Humphres
Jessica McCarty
Jeremy Gagnon
Madilyn Overmann
Elizabeth Saylor
Andrew Holland
Haley Fowler
Angela Burke
Amber Morgan
Helene Hodak
Cadence Pruitt
Anthony Werner
Kirsten Wilson
Macy Moore
Suzanne McClinton
Amy Hickman
Thank you to each of these educators for sharing their expertise, time, and passion to strengthen teaching and learning throughout our district. Your work will make an impact on our students for years to come!
At the September Board of Education meeting, we were proud to recognize the dedicated educators who served on our K-12 English Language Arts Curriculum Writing Team.
Over the past two school years, this team has spent countless hours collaborating to update and revise our district’s ELA curriculum. Their work helps ensure that all students have access to a rigorous, guaranteed, and viable curriculum aligned with Missouri Learning Standards.
Please join us in recognizing:
Faith Wilkerson
Tiffani Fluck
Courtney Brown
Melissa Humphres
Amber Bayless
Kylie Bell
Madison Baur
Katie LaMar
Kelly Formann
Melanie Downs
Stacee Delarber
Jessica McWilliams
Aimee Orrick
Angela Gagnon
Margaret Carr
Betsy Weber
Heather Bourisaw
Robert Humphres
Jessica McCarty
Jeremy Gagnon
Madilyn Overmann
Elizabeth Saylor
Andrew Holland
Haley Fowler
Angela Burke
Amber Morgan
Helene Hodak
Cadence Pruitt
Anthony Werner
Kirsten Wilson
Macy Moore
Suzanne McClinton
Amy Hickman
Thank you to each of these educators for sharing their expertise, time, and passion to strengthen teaching and learning throughout our district. Your work will make an impact on our students for years to come!
Celebrating Our Math Curriculum Writing Team!
At the September Board of Education meeting, we were proud to recognize our 4th Grade Math Curriculum Writing Team for their dedication to supporting student learning across the district.
Over the summer, these educators dedicated their time to completely rewriting our 4th-grade mathematics curriculum. They worked together to analyze instructional needs, realign materials, and ensure our curriculum provides students with the support they need to master key math concepts.
Their hard work helped ensure our students and teachers were set up for success from the very first day of school!
Please join us in congratulating:
Heather Bourisaw
Robert Humphres
Rebecca Johnson
Carly Selsor
Christy Portell
Christina Trent
Brandy Zoph
Betsy Weber
Alison Crostic
Tarrole Milfeld
Thank you for your expertise, collaboration, and commitment to providing the best possible learning opportunities for our Dragons!
At the September Board of Education meeting, we were proud to recognize our 4th Grade Math Curriculum Writing Team for their dedication to supporting student learning across the district.
Over the summer, these educators dedicated their time to completely rewriting our 4th-grade mathematics curriculum. They worked together to analyze instructional needs, realign materials, and ensure our curriculum provides students with the support they need to master key math concepts.
Their hard work helped ensure our students and teachers were set up for success from the very first day of school!
Please join us in congratulating:
Heather Bourisaw
Robert Humphres
Rebecca Johnson
Carly Selsor
Christy Portell
Christina Trent
Brandy Zoph
Betsy Weber
Alison Crostic
Tarrole Milfeld
Thank you for your expertise, collaboration, and commitment to providing the best possible learning opportunities for our Dragons!
Excellence On and Off the Field!
At the September Board of Education meeting, we proudly recognized the 2026 De Soto Varsity Baseball Team for earning the Team Academic Excellence Award from the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA)!
To qualify for this national honor, teams must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale. Our Dragons finished with an impressive 3.37 team GPA!
Even more impressive, De Soto was one of just 320 programs nationwide and one of only 15 programs in Missouri selected for this recognition.
Congratulations to our student-athletes and coaches for demonstrating that excellence extends beyond the field and into the classroom. We are proud of the hard work, dedication, and commitment represented by this award!
2026 Varsity Baseball Team:
#2 Brenton D.
#3 Shayne S.
#4 Colin C.
#5 Will W.
#6 Blake C.
#7 Khali G.
#8 Reid D.
#10 Owen W.
#12 Levi M.
#14 Austin M.
#15 Kyle C.
#17 Trey B.
#20 Noah P.
#21 Tanner B.
#23 Carston S.
#24 Connor H.
#35 Brian B.
#44 Nate C.
Coaches:Kyle Huey, Head Coach; Tom Hurt, Matthew Maxwell, Levi Loughridge, Briar Fischer, Levi Fischer, and Drew Hardin, Assistant Coaches.
Pictured: Coach Huey, Owen W., Kyle C., Noah P., Brian B., and Coach Hurt.
Congratulations, Dragons!
At the September Board of Education meeting, we proudly recognized the 2026 De Soto Varsity Baseball Team for earning the Team Academic Excellence Award from the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA)!
To qualify for this national honor, teams must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale. Our Dragons finished with an impressive 3.37 team GPA!
Even more impressive, De Soto was one of just 320 programs nationwide and one of only 15 programs in Missouri selected for this recognition.
Congratulations to our student-athletes and coaches for demonstrating that excellence extends beyond the field and into the classroom. We are proud of the hard work, dedication, and commitment represented by this award!
2026 Varsity Baseball Team:
#2 Brenton D.
#3 Shayne S.
#4 Colin C.
#5 Will W.
#6 Blake C.
#7 Khali G.
#8 Reid D.
#10 Owen W.
#12 Levi M.
#14 Austin M.
#15 Kyle C.
#17 Trey B.
#20 Noah P.
#21 Tanner B.
#23 Carston S.
#24 Connor H.
#35 Brian B.
#44 Nate C.
Coaches:Kyle Huey, Head Coach; Tom Hurt, Matthew Maxwell, Levi Loughridge, Briar Fischer, Levi Fischer, and Drew Hardin, Assistant Coaches.
Pictured: Coach Huey, Owen W., Kyle C., Noah P., Brian B., and Coach Hurt.
Congratulations, Dragons!
September is Suicide Prevention & Awareness Month, but suicide prevention is a year-round commitment.
The work of showing up for one another doesn’t end when September does. Every month of the year, we can make a difference by checking in, listening without judgment, recognizing when someone may be struggling, and helping connect people with support.
Together, we can help build a community where no one has to face difficult moments alone.
Stronger Together: Connect. Support. Prevent.
Learn more about suicide prevention and how you can help:
https://www.samhsa.gov/mental-health/suicidal-behavior/prevention
If you or someone you know needs immediate emotional support, call or text 988 to connect with the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
The work of showing up for one another doesn’t end when September does. Every month of the year, we can make a difference by checking in, listening without judgment, recognizing when someone may be struggling, and helping connect people with support.
Together, we can help build a community where no one has to face difficult moments alone.
Stronger Together: Connect. Support. Prevent.
Learn more about suicide prevention and how you can help:
https://www.samhsa.gov/mental-health/suicidal-behavior/prevention
If you or someone you know needs immediate emotional support, call or text 988 to connect with the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
WE’RE HIRING BUS DRIVERS!
Join the De Soto #73 School District Transportation Team and help us safely get our Dragons where they need to go each day!
We are currently looking for Bus Drivers to join our team.
Interested or have questions? Contact Transportation Director April McKinney at mckinney.april@desoto.k12.mo.us for more information.
Come drive with us and make a difference for our students!
