De Soto #73 School District
610 Vineland School Road De Soto, MO 63020
IT’S HOMECOMING DAY, DRAGONS!
The big day is here! It’s time to show your Dragon Pride and celebrate Homecoming!
Homecoming Parade: 3:00 PM on Main Street
Football Game: 7:00 PM at JC Culwell Stadium
REMINDER: Today is an Early Release Day for ALL schools!
DHS & Middle School 11:40 AM
Intermediate: 12:30 PM
Primary: 12:50 PM
ECC Full Day: 12:25 PM
ECC Half-Day AM & PM: No School
Wear your green, cheer loud, and join us for a great day celebrating our students, schools, and community!
GO DRAGONS!
The big day is here! It’s time to show your Dragon Pride and celebrate Homecoming!
Homecoming Parade: 3:00 PM on Main Street
Football Game: 7:00 PM at JC Culwell Stadium
REMINDER: Today is an Early Release Day for ALL schools!
DHS & Middle School 11:40 AM
Intermediate: 12:30 PM
Primary: 12:50 PM
ECC Full Day: 12:25 PM
ECC Half-Day AM & PM: No School
Wear your green, cheer loud, and join us for a great day celebrating our students, schools, and community!
GO DRAGONS!
Come join us for a fun community ceramic painting event while helping support our DHS Art Club students and their Chicago trip! Open to the community! All ages are welcome. Children are welcome to participate when accompanied by an adult.
Spots are limited! Registration and payment are due by October 9th to reserve your spot.
Choose your favorite ceramic piece, paint it, and we’ll take care of the glazing and firing! Your finished piece will be ready for pickup on October 30th.
Questions: Reach out to Megan Sutton at sutton.megan@desoto.k12.mo.us
Come paint, have fun, and help us get our Dragon artists to Chicago!
Spots are limited! Registration and payment are due by October 9th to reserve your spot.
Choose your favorite ceramic piece, paint it, and we’ll take care of the glazing and firing! Your finished piece will be ready for pickup on October 30th.
Questions: Reach out to Megan Sutton at sutton.megan@desoto.k12.mo.us
Come paint, have fun, and help us get our Dragon artists to Chicago!
Dragonettes Take the Spotlight!
At last week’s Board of Education meeting, students from De Soto Intermediate did a fantastic job presenting to Board members and community members about the Dragonettes program at De Soto Intermediate!
Our students represented their school and program with confidence and enthusiasm, sharing more about what makes the Dragonettes such a special opportunity.
Great job, Addison H., Baylee S., and Raelyn R.! We are proud of you and the wonderful job you did representing De Soto Intermediate!
At last week’s Board of Education meeting, students from De Soto Intermediate did a fantastic job presenting to Board members and community members about the Dragonettes program at De Soto Intermediate!
Our students represented their school and program with confidence and enthusiasm, sharing more about what makes the Dragonettes such a special opportunity.
Great job, Addison H., Baylee S., and Raelyn R.! We are proud of you and the wonderful job you did representing De Soto Intermediate!
Celebrating Outstanding Achievement!
At last week’s Board of Education meeting, De Soto Intermediate recognized four students for an incredible accomplishment on the Spring MAP assessment — earning a PERFECT SCORE!
Esau F. — Perfect Score in Math
Maverick T. — Perfect Score in ELA
Kai O. — Perfect Score in Math
Reid S. — Perfect Score in Math
Their hard work, focus, and dedication truly paid off. We are so proud of these students and their outstanding achievement!
Congratulations, Dragons!
At last week’s Board of Education meeting, De Soto Intermediate recognized four students for an incredible accomplishment on the Spring MAP assessment — earning a PERFECT SCORE!
Esau F. — Perfect Score in Math
Maverick T. — Perfect Score in ELA
Kai O. — Perfect Score in Math
Reid S. — Perfect Score in Math
Their hard work, focus, and dedication truly paid off. We are so proud of these students and their outstanding achievement!
Congratulations, Dragons!
September is Suicide Prevention & Awareness Month.
Connection matters.
A call. A text. A simple check-in. An attempt to reach out. These may seem like small gestures, but for someone who is struggling, they can mean everything.
Taking the time to ask, “Are you okay?” and truly listening can remind someone that they are seen, valued, and supported.
And if you are the one struggling, reaching out is an important step. You don’t have to navigate a difficult moment alone.
The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available 24/7.
Call or text 988
Chat at https://988lifeline.org/
Reach out. Check in. Stay connected.
Connection matters.
A call. A text. A simple check-in. An attempt to reach out. These may seem like small gestures, but for someone who is struggling, they can mean everything.
Taking the time to ask, “Are you okay?” and truly listening can remind someone that they are seen, valued, and supported.
And if you are the one struggling, reaching out is an important step. You don’t have to navigate a difficult moment alone.
The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available 24/7.
Call or text 988
Chat at https://988lifeline.org/
Reach out. Check in. Stay connected.
HOMECOMING Reminder!
Dragon Nation, get ready for a great day of school spirit and community pride on Friday, September 25!
Early Release for All Schools
Early Release Times:
• DHS & Junior High: 11:40 AM
• Intermediate: 12:30 PM
• Primary: 12:50 PM
• ECC Full Day: 12:25 PM
• ECC ½ Day AM & PM: No School
Homecoming Parade: 3:00 PM
Football Game: 7:00 PM
REMINDER: There is NO SCHOOL for students on Monday, September 28, due to teacher professional development meetings.
We can’t wait to see our students, families, alumni, and community come together to celebrate Homecoming!
Go Dragons!
Dragon Nation, get ready for a great day of school spirit and community pride on Friday, September 25!
Early Release for All Schools
Early Release Times:
• DHS & Junior High: 11:40 AM
• Intermediate: 12:30 PM
• Primary: 12:50 PM
• ECC Full Day: 12:25 PM
• ECC ½ Day AM & PM: No School
Homecoming Parade: 3:00 PM
Football Game: 7:00 PM
REMINDER: There is NO SCHOOL for students on Monday, September 28, due to teacher professional development meetings.
We can’t wait to see our students, families, alumni, and community come together to celebrate Homecoming!
Go Dragons!
De Soto Primary Update
We are excited to share that De Soto Primary will return to regular, full operations on Monday, September 21!
All arrival, dismissal, parent pick-up, and drop-off procedures will return to normal.
We want to extend our deepest thanks to Ameren and all of our community partners who worked tirelessly, day and night, to restore power and help return our building to full operations. We are incredibly grateful for their hard work, quick response, and commitment to our school community.
Thank you as well to our families for your patience, flexibility, and understanding throughout this situation.
We look forward to welcoming our Dragons back to De Soto Primary on Monday morning!
We are excited to share that De Soto Primary will return to regular, full operations on Monday, September 21!
All arrival, dismissal, parent pick-up, and drop-off procedures will return to normal.
We want to extend our deepest thanks to Ameren and all of our community partners who worked tirelessly, day and night, to restore power and help return our building to full operations. We are incredibly grateful for their hard work, quick response, and commitment to our school community.
Thank you as well to our families for your patience, flexibility, and understanding throughout this situation.
We look forward to welcoming our Dragons back to De Soto Primary on Monday morning!
Our youngest Dragons are off to a great start!
Our ECC students have been doing a wonderful job learning their new classroom routines and expectations as they settle into the school year. Each day brings new opportunities to learn, grow, and become more comfortable in their classrooms.
They’ve also been enjoying one of the best parts of the day — lunchtime with their new friends! Building friendships and learning how to be part of a school community are important parts of the ECC experience.
We are so proud of how well our youngest Dragons are adjusting and learning together!
Our ECC students have been doing a wonderful job learning their new classroom routines and expectations as they settle into the school year. Each day brings new opportunities to learn, grow, and become more comfortable in their classrooms.
They’ve also been enjoying one of the best parts of the day — lunchtime with their new friends! Building friendships and learning how to be part of a school community are important parts of the ECC experience.
We are so proud of how well our youngest Dragons are adjusting and learning together!
Don’t forget to stop by and see our De Soto #73 Transportation Department at the De Soto Fall Festival this weekend!
They’ll be hosting a FREE raffle for a bike! Be sure to stop by their booth, say hello to our transportation team, and enter for your chance to win.
We hope to see you there!
They’ll be hosting a FREE raffle for a bike! Be sure to stop by their booth, say hello to our transportation team, and enter for your chance to win.
We hope to see you there!
Our De Soto Intermediate students are hard at work!
Students have been busy strengthening their skills and building great learning habits across the building.
In Mrs. Bourisaw’s and Mrs. Carr’s classrooms, students put their math skills to the test by working through practice math assessments.
Students have also been spending time with a good book, building their reading skills and discovering new stories along the way.
Whether they’re solving math problems or turning the pages of a book, our Intermediate Dragons are putting in the work and growing as learners every day!
Students have been busy strengthening their skills and building great learning habits across the building.
In Mrs. Bourisaw’s and Mrs. Carr’s classrooms, students put their math skills to the test by working through practice math assessments.
Students have also been spending time with a good book, building their reading skills and discovering new stories along the way.
Whether they’re solving math problems or turning the pages of a book, our Intermediate Dragons are putting in the work and growing as learners every day!
DISTRICT UPDATE
All De Soto #73 students have now been dismissed and are on their way home.
We sincerely appreciate the patience, flexibility, and understanding of our families as we navigated today’s unexpected circumstances.
A special thank you to our staff, Transportation Department, local first responders, Ameren crews, and everyone who stepped in to help ensure our students were safely dismissed and the situation was handled as quickly and safely as possible.
We will share a follow-up communication regarding plans for tomorrow and any additional updates as more information becomes available.
Thank you, Dragon Nation, for working together and supporting one another today!
All De Soto #73 students have now been dismissed and are on their way home.
We sincerely appreciate the patience, flexibility, and understanding of our families as we navigated today’s unexpected circumstances.
A special thank you to our staff, Transportation Department, local first responders, Ameren crews, and everyone who stepped in to help ensure our students were safely dismissed and the situation was handled as quickly and safely as possible.
We will share a follow-up communication regarding plans for tomorrow and any additional updates as more information becomes available.
Thank you, Dragon Nation, for working together and supporting one another today!
ELEMENTARY BUS DISMISSAL UPDATE
As we begin today’s early dismissal, we want to share an important update for our elementary and ECC families.
If an elementary or ECC student arrives at their bus stop and there is no adult available to receive them, the student will remain safely with district staff and will be transported to De Soto Intermediate.
Parents/guardians will then be able to pick up their child at De Soto Intermediate.
Please make every effort to have an adult available at your child’s bus stop. We understand today’s unexpected early dismissal may make that difficult for some families, and this plan will ensure that all students remain safely supervised.
Thank you for your patience, flexibility, and cooperation today.
IMPORTANT: EARLY DISMISSAL TODAY
This morning, a food truck struck power lines at De Soto Primary, causing multiple power lines to come down and resulting in a power outage that is impacting district operations.
Due to the nature of the outage, **all De Soto #73 students will be dismissed early today, Wednesday, September 16.**
Early Dismissal Schedule:
De Soto Intermediate – 10:45 AM
ECC – 10:45 AM
De Soto Primary – 11:15 AM
De Soto High School & De Soto Middle School – 12:45 PM
IMPORTANT – De Soto Primary Parent Pick-Up
Due to the downed power lines behind De Soto Primary, vehicles are currently unable to follow the normal parent pick-up route around the school.
Families picking up students at De Soto Primary should not arrive until 11:45 AM. At that time, vehicles should enter at the front of the building from the Flucom Road side. Pick-up lines will be formed in front of the building, and staff will assist families with the alternative dismissal process.
Please follow the directions of staff when arriving and use extra caution in the area due to the downed power lines.
All students will be provided a meal before dismissal.
Families should make arrangements for their child’s early arrival home and ensure someone is available at the bus stop, if needed.
We apologize for the unexpected change and appreciate our families’ patience, flexibility, and understanding as we work to safely dismiss all students.
This morning, a food truck struck power lines at De Soto Primary, causing multiple power lines to come down and resulting in a power outage that is impacting district operations.
Due to the nature of the outage, **all De Soto #73 students will be dismissed early today, Wednesday, September 16.**
Early Dismissal Schedule:
De Soto Intermediate – 10:45 AM
ECC – 10:45 AM
De Soto Primary – 11:15 AM
De Soto High School & De Soto Middle School – 12:45 PM
IMPORTANT – De Soto Primary Parent Pick-Up
Due to the downed power lines behind De Soto Primary, vehicles are currently unable to follow the normal parent pick-up route around the school.
Families picking up students at De Soto Primary should not arrive until 11:45 AM. At that time, vehicles should enter at the front of the building from the Flucom Road side. Pick-up lines will be formed in front of the building, and staff will assist families with the alternative dismissal process.
Please follow the directions of staff when arriving and use extra caution in the area due to the downed power lines.
All students will be provided a meal before dismissal.
Families should make arrangements for their child’s early arrival home and ensure someone is available at the bus stop, if needed.
We apologize for the unexpected change and appreciate our families’ patience, flexibility, and understanding as we work to safely dismiss all students.
Learning goes beyond the classroom!
Students in Ms. Anderson’s 3rd Hour Family Living class are learning that strong relationships are built through thoughtful actions, meaningful connections, and showing others that we care.
As part of the lesson, students are putting those ideas into action by creating friendship keychains for a friend or someone special in their lives. After giving their keychains to their chosen person, students will reflect on the experience, including how their thoughtful gesture impacted both themselves and the recipient.
It’s a great hands-on way to connect classroom learning with important life skills like kindness, appreciation, reflection, and building positive relationships!
Students in Ms. Anderson’s 3rd Hour Family Living class are learning that strong relationships are built through thoughtful actions, meaningful connections, and showing others that we care.
As part of the lesson, students are putting those ideas into action by creating friendship keychains for a friend or someone special in their lives. After giving their keychains to their chosen person, students will reflect on the experience, including how their thoughtful gesture impacted both themselves and the recipient.
It’s a great hands-on way to connect classroom learning with important life skills like kindness, appreciation, reflection, and building positive relationships!
September is Suicide Prevention & Awareness Month.
Know where to turn for help. Support is available when you or someone you care about needs it.
The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available 24/7 by call, text, or chat. Local crisis systems may also offer resources such as mobile crisis response teams, stabilization services, and community-based support.
Knowing what resources are available before a crisis happens can make it easier to take the next step when help is needed. Building awareness and sharing resources can save lives.
Learn more about 988 and crisis care:
https://www.samhsa.gov/mental-health/988/faqs
Know the resources. Share the information. Help connect others to support.
Know where to turn for help. Support is available when you or someone you care about needs it.
The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available 24/7 by call, text, or chat. Local crisis systems may also offer resources such as mobile crisis response teams, stabilization services, and community-based support.
Knowing what resources are available before a crisis happens can make it easier to take the next step when help is needed. Building awareness and sharing resources can save lives.
Learn more about 988 and crisis care:
https://www.samhsa.gov/mental-health/988/faqs
Know the resources. Share the information. Help connect others to support.
Happy IT Professionals Day!
Today, we’re giving a special shoutout to the incredible IT professionals who keep our district connected, supported, and moving forward!
From maintaining devices and networks to troubleshooting technology and supporting our students and staff, our technology team works behind the scenes every day to make teaching and learning possible.
Thank you for your hard work, expertise, and dedication to De Soto #73! We appreciate everything you do to keep our Dragons connected!
Today, we’re giving a special shoutout to the incredible IT professionals who keep our district connected, supported, and moving forward!
From maintaining devices and networks to troubleshooting technology and supporting our students and staff, our technology team works behind the scenes every day to make teaching and learning possible.
Thank you for your hard work, expertise, and dedication to De Soto #73! We appreciate everything you do to keep our Dragons connected!
Dragon Middle School Cross Country had a great weekend!
Our Middle School runners turned in some impressive performances at the Stan Nelson Memorial Invitational on September 12!
Middle School Boys
Congratulations to Reid S. (6th grade), who placed 9th, and Owen V. (7th grade), who placed 11th out of 73 runners! Both earned medals for finishing in the Top 20.
As a team, the boys finished 4th out of 8 teams!
Middle School Girls
A big congratulations to Claire T. (8th grade), who took 1st place! Lilly S. (8th grade) finished 13th, and June P. (8th grade) finished 17th out of 46 runners. All three earned Top 20 medals!
As a team, the girls finished 3rd out of 4 teams!
Way to represent De Soto and keep pushing toward the finish line!
Our Middle School runners turned in some impressive performances at the Stan Nelson Memorial Invitational on September 12!
Middle School Boys
Congratulations to Reid S. (6th grade), who placed 9th, and Owen V. (7th grade), who placed 11th out of 73 runners! Both earned medals for finishing in the Top 20.
As a team, the boys finished 4th out of 8 teams!
Middle School Girls
A big congratulations to Claire T. (8th grade), who took 1st place! Lilly S. (8th grade) finished 13th, and June P. (8th grade) finished 17th out of 46 runners. All three earned Top 20 medals!
As a team, the girls finished 3rd out of 4 teams!
Way to represent De Soto and keep pushing toward the finish line!
Studying matters!
Students in Mrs. Drummond’s 5th grade science class are learning that preparation is an important part of success! From reviewing concepts to putting their knowledge to the test, these students are building strong study habits while strengthening their science skills.
Keep up the great work, 5th graders!
Students in Mrs. Drummond’s 5th grade science class are learning that preparation is an important part of success! From reviewing concepts to putting their knowledge to the test, these students are building strong study habits while strengthening their science skills.
Keep up the great work, 5th graders!
SEPTEMBER BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING
The De Soto #73 School District Board of Education will hold its September meeting on Thursday, September 17, at 6:00 PM.
De Soto Intermediate School Cafeteria
650 Vineland School Road
Board of Education meetings are open to the public, and all are welcome to attend. We hope to see you there!
September 11: We Remember
Today, we pause to remember the lives lost on September 11, 2001, and to honor the courage of the first responders, service members, and everyday Americans who answered tragedy with bravery, compassion, and unity.
As a school community, we reflect on the importance of remembrance, service, kindness, and coming together in support of one another.
We will never forget.
Today, we pause to remember the lives lost on September 11, 2001, and to honor the courage of the first responders, service members, and everyday Americans who answered tragedy with bravery, compassion, and unity.
As a school community, we reflect on the importance of remembrance, service, kindness, and coming together in support of one another.
We will never forget.
