De Soto #73 School District
610 Vineland School Road De Soto, MO 63020
Planning Next Year's Vacations & Appointments?
As you're scheduling vacations, medical appointments, and other important events for the upcoming school year, be sure to keep these important district calendar dates in mind before making your plans!
Keep it handy—take a screenshot of this today so you'll have it whenever you're planning appointments or trips!
Planning ahead helps ensure your student is in school for as many instructional days as possible while helping you avoid scheduling conflicts.
Check out these notable calendar dates below and visit www.desoto73.org to view the complete 2026–2027 District Calendar.
Thank you for helping us make attendance a priority. We look forward to another great year with our Dragon families!
As you're scheduling vacations, medical appointments, and other important events for the upcoming school year, be sure to keep these important district calendar dates in mind before making your plans!
Keep it handy—take a screenshot of this today so you'll have it whenever you're planning appointments or trips!
Planning ahead helps ensure your student is in school for as many instructional days as possible while helping you avoid scheduling conflicts.
Check out these notable calendar dates below and visit www.desoto73.org to view the complete 2026–2027 District Calendar.
Thank you for helping us make attendance a priority. We look forward to another great year with our Dragon families!
Thank You to Our Gold Sponsor, Hoods!
We’re proud to recognize Hoods as one of our Gold Sponsors for their generous support of De Soto #73. Community partners like Hoods play an important role in helping us provide outstanding opportunities for our students, enhance educational experiences, and strengthen the connection between our schools and the communities we serve.
Thank you for your continued investment in our students, staff, and Dragon families. We are grateful for your partnership and proud to have Hoods as a valued member of the Dragon family!
We’re proud to recognize Hoods as one of our Gold Sponsors for their generous support of De Soto #73. Community partners like Hoods play an important role in helping us provide outstanding opportunities for our students, enhance educational experiences, and strengthen the connection between our schools and the communities we serve.
Thank you for your continued investment in our students, staff, and Dragon families. We are grateful for your partnership and proud to have Hoods as a valued member of the Dragon family!
Welcome to De Soto #73!
Please join us in welcoming Ms. Errin Westerfield to the De Soto #73 School District for the upcoming school year!
Position/Title:
Paraprofessional
Building or Department:
De Soto Primary/Athena
Previous Experience:
Ms. Errin previously served as a Lunch/Recess Aide at Vineland Elementary beginning in the 2023–2024 school year. She is excited to continue serving students in her new role as a paraprofessional at Athena.
Fun Fact / Favorite Hobby / What You’re Excited About:
Ms. Errin enjoys cooking, baking, crocheting, gardening, spending time outdoors, and making memories with her husband and their pup. She is excited to begin the school year at Athena and continue supporting students as they learn and grow.
We’re excited to have Ms. Errin join our team and can’t wait for the positive impact she’ll make with our students and families. Please help us give her a warm Dragon welcome!
Please join us in welcoming Ms. Errin Westerfield to the De Soto #73 School District for the upcoming school year!
Position/Title:
Paraprofessional
Building or Department:
De Soto Primary/Athena
Previous Experience:
Ms. Errin previously served as a Lunch/Recess Aide at Vineland Elementary beginning in the 2023–2024 school year. She is excited to continue serving students in her new role as a paraprofessional at Athena.
Fun Fact / Favorite Hobby / What You’re Excited About:
Ms. Errin enjoys cooking, baking, crocheting, gardening, spending time outdoors, and making memories with her husband and their pup. She is excited to begin the school year at Athena and continue supporting students as they learn and grow.
We’re excited to have Ms. Errin join our team and can’t wait for the positive impact she’ll make with our students and families. Please help us give her a warm Dragon welcome!
Thank You to Our Bronze Sponsor, Anytime AutoGlass!
We are proud to recognize Anytime AutoGlass as one of our Bronze Sponsors for their support of De Soto #73. Community partnerships like yours help provide valuable opportunities for our students, enhance school experiences, and strengthen the connection between our schools and the community.
Thank you for investing in our students, staff, and Dragon families. We truly appreciate your partnership and are grateful to have you as part of the Dragon family!
We are proud to recognize Anytime AutoGlass as one of our Bronze Sponsors for their support of De Soto #73. Community partnerships like yours help provide valuable opportunities for our students, enhance school experiences, and strengthen the connection between our schools and the community.
Thank you for investing in our students, staff, and Dragon families. We truly appreciate your partnership and are grateful to have you as part of the Dragon family!
Thank You to Our Bronze Sponsor, Jeff Co Lawn Mower Repair!
We are proud to recognize Jeff Co Lawn Mower Repair as one of our Bronze Sponsors for their support of De Soto #73. As a veteran-owned and operated local business, their investment in our schools helps create opportunities for students and strengthens the connection between our district and the community we serve.
Thank you for supporting our students, staff, and Dragon community. We appreciate your partnership and are grateful to have you as part of the Dragon family!
We are proud to recognize Jeff Co Lawn Mower Repair as one of our Bronze Sponsors for their support of De Soto #73. As a veteran-owned and operated local business, their investment in our schools helps create opportunities for students and strengthens the connection between our district and the community we serve.
Thank you for supporting our students, staff, and Dragon community. We appreciate your partnership and are grateful to have you as part of the Dragon family!
Welcome to De Soto #73!
Please join us in welcoming Ms. Valle to the De Soto #73 School District for the upcoming school year!
Position/Title:
Paraprofessional
Building or Department:
De Soto Middle School
Previous Experience:
Ms. Valle has been a substitute with the De Soto #73 School District for the past couple of years and is excited to continue serving our students in her new role.
Fun Fact / Favorite Hobby / What You’re Excited About:
Ms. Valle loves to read and work in her garden. She is excited to meet the students and watch them learn and grow throughout the school year.
We’re excited to have Ms. Valle join our team and can’t wait for the positive impact she’ll make with our students and families. Please help us give her a warm Dragon welcome!
Please join us in welcoming Ms. Valle to the De Soto #73 School District for the upcoming school year!
Position/Title:
Paraprofessional
Building or Department:
De Soto Middle School
Previous Experience:
Ms. Valle has been a substitute with the De Soto #73 School District for the past couple of years and is excited to continue serving our students in her new role.
Fun Fact / Favorite Hobby / What You’re Excited About:
Ms. Valle loves to read and work in her garden. She is excited to meet the students and watch them learn and grow throughout the school year.
We’re excited to have Ms. Valle join our team and can’t wait for the positive impact she’ll make with our students and families. Please help us give her a warm Dragon welcome!
Thank You to Our Gold Sponsor, B.F. Mahn & Sons!
We are proud to recognize B.F. Mahn & Sons Plumbing, Heating & Cooling as one of our Gold Sponsors for their continued support of De Soto #73. Their investment in our schools helps provide valuable opportunities for our students, supports school programs, and strengthens the partnership between our district and the local community.
Thank you for your commitment to our students, staff, and Dragon families. We are grateful for your partnership and proud to have B.F. Mahn & Sons as part of the Dragon family!
We are proud to recognize B.F. Mahn & Sons Plumbing, Heating & Cooling as one of our Gold Sponsors for their continued support of De Soto #73. Their investment in our schools helps provide valuable opportunities for our students, supports school programs, and strengthens the partnership between our district and the local community.
Thank you for your commitment to our students, staff, and Dragon families. We are grateful for your partnership and proud to have B.F. Mahn & Sons as part of the Dragon family!
Thinking about becoming a substitute teacher? We've got you covered!
Looking for a flexible way to earn extra income while making a difference in the lives of students? Join us for our FREE Substitute Teacher Training and take the first step toward becoming part of our Dragon team!
Who can attend?
Anyone 18 years or older
What should you bring?
Your personal calendar so we can schedule your fingerprinting appointment.
A valid debit or credit card for the required fingerprinting/background check (approximately $200).
The best part? You can earn that investment back in less than two days of substitute teaching!
A laptop or tablet if you have one (don't worry—we'll provide one if you don't!).
Headphones if you have them (we'll have extras available if needed!).
No teaching experience? No problem! We'll walk you through everything you need to know to get started.
Whether you're looking for a flexible schedule, a rewarding opportunity, or a way to give back to your community, substitute teaching is a great fit!
Ready to join us? Register by completing the RSVP form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc3mZZCy9S7q25QB3xldwIe0HoyeAF1pXnVU6AALa3cmfYNkw/viewform?usp=publish-editor or by emailing Nicole Spruell at nicole.spruellnm@desoto.k12.mo.us. RSVP by 3:00 PM on Wednesday, July 29.
Spots are limited, so reserve your place today!
We can't wait to welcome you to the De Soto #73 family!
Free & Reduced Meal Applications Are Now Open!
The 2026–2027 Free & Reduced Meal Application is now available through the Infinite Campus Parent Portal.
We encourage all families to apply, even if you're not sure you'll qualify. You may be eligible for benefits, and the only way to know is to submit an application.
If your household has already been approved through Direct Certification, no application is needed.
If you have not been directly certified, we encourage you to complete your application as soon as possible to help ensure your meal benefits are in place for the start of the new school year.
✔️ Log in to your Parent Portal
✔️ Complete your application online
✔️ Apply early for the best start to the school year
Submitting your application now helps ensure any eligible meal benefits are in place when the new school year begins.
The 2026–2027 Free & Reduced Meal Application is now available through the Infinite Campus Parent Portal.
We encourage all families to apply, even if you're not sure you'll qualify. You may be eligible for benefits, and the only way to know is to submit an application.
If your household has already been approved through Direct Certification, no application is needed.
If you have not been directly certified, we encourage you to complete your application as soon as possible to help ensure your meal benefits are in place for the start of the new school year.
✔️ Log in to your Parent Portal
✔️ Complete your application online
✔️ Apply early for the best start to the school year
Submitting your application now helps ensure any eligible meal benefits are in place when the new school year begins.
Another Win for Our Dragons!
Thanks to the GameTime Community Champions Grant and the Ameren Missouri rebate generated through the Prop4Dragons HVAC improvements, we were able to fully fund brand-new playgrounds for both our Early Childhood Center on Rock Road and the Early Childhood Center at De Soto Primary, which will welcome students this school year!
This is another great example of how smart planning, grant funding, and community support work together to create meaningful opportunities for our students.
A special thank you to our community for supporting and passing the Prop4Dragons bond measure. Your investment continues to make projects like this possible, allowing us to maximize every dollar and provide safe, engaging learning environments for our youngest Dragons.
Together, we're building a stronger future—one playground, one classroom, and one student at a time.
Thanks to the GameTime Community Champions Grant and the Ameren Missouri rebate generated through the Prop4Dragons HVAC improvements, we were able to fully fund brand-new playgrounds for both our Early Childhood Center on Rock Road and the Early Childhood Center at De Soto Primary, which will welcome students this school year!
This is another great example of how smart planning, grant funding, and community support work together to create meaningful opportunities for our students.
A special thank you to our community for supporting and passing the Prop4Dragons bond measure. Your investment continues to make projects like this possible, allowing us to maximize every dollar and provide safe, engaging learning environments for our youngest Dragons.
Together, we're building a stronger future—one playground, one classroom, and one student at a time.
Thank You to Our Platinum Sponsor, Andi Tidwell – Gateway Real Estate!
We are proud to recognize Andi Tidwell, Broker-Salesperson with Gateway Real Estate, as one of our Platinum Sponsors for De Soto #73. Her continued support and investment in our schools help provide meaningful opportunities for our students, strengthen school programs, and foster a stronger connection between our district and the community.
Thank you, Andi, for your generosity, partnership, and commitment to the students, staff, and families of De Soto #73. We are grateful to have you as a valued member of the Dragon family!
We are proud to recognize Andi Tidwell, Broker-Salesperson with Gateway Real Estate, as one of our Platinum Sponsors for De Soto #73. Her continued support and investment in our schools help provide meaningful opportunities for our students, strengthen school programs, and foster a stronger connection between our district and the community.
Thank you, Andi, for your generosity, partnership, and commitment to the students, staff, and families of De Soto #73. We are grateful to have you as a valued member of the Dragon family!
Do you need a flexible option for dropping off and picking up your kids? We’ve got you covered.
For the 2026–2027 school year, Y Club before- and after-school care will be available at De Soto Primary (Athena) and De Soto Intermediate (Vineland)—designed with busy families in mind.
One drop-off, one pick-up
Drop off your primary and intermediate students at a single location in the morning, and we’ll take care of getting them to the right school. After school, they’ll be transported back to the Y Club site—making pickup just as simple.
Flexible scheduling
Whether you need care every day or just a few days a week, Y Club offers options that fit your routine.
Safe, engaging environment
Students will be supported in a welcoming space that keeps them active, connected, and cared for before and after school.
Choose the location that works best for your family and enjoy a more convenient start and end to your day.
See flyer for more information.
For the 2026–2027 school year, Y Club before- and after-school care will be available at De Soto Primary (Athena) and De Soto Intermediate (Vineland)—designed with busy families in mind.
One drop-off, one pick-up
Drop off your primary and intermediate students at a single location in the morning, and we’ll take care of getting them to the right school. After school, they’ll be transported back to the Y Club site—making pickup just as simple.
Flexible scheduling
Whether you need care every day or just a few days a week, Y Club offers options that fit your routine.
Safe, engaging environment
Students will be supported in a welcoming space that keeps them active, connected, and cared for before and after school.
Choose the location that works best for your family and enjoy a more convenient start and end to your day.
See flyer for more information.
Thank You to Our Bronze Sponsor, Designs Express!
We are grateful for Designs Express and their continued support of De Soto #73. Community partnerships like yours help create opportunities for our students, support memorable experiences across our schools, and strengthen the connection between our district and local businesses.
Thank you for investing in our students, staff, and community and for being a valued part of the Dragon family. Your partnership and support are truly appreciated!
We are grateful for Designs Express and their continued support of De Soto #73. Community partnerships like yours help create opportunities for our students, support memorable experiences across our schools, and strengthen the connection between our district and local businesses.
Thank you for investing in our students, staff, and community and for being a valued part of the Dragon family. Your partnership and support are truly appreciated!
Thank You to Our Bronze Sponsor, Dylan Isaac with Sapaugh Cadillac!
We are grateful for Dylan Isaac with Sapaugh Cadillac and their continued support of the De Soto #73 School District. Community partnerships like yours help create opportunities for our students, enhance experiences across our schools, and strengthen the connection between our district and local businesses.
Thank you for investing in our students, staff, and community and for being a valued part of the Dragon family. Your partnership and support are truly appreciated! #PartneringTogether
We are grateful for Dylan Isaac with Sapaugh Cadillac and their continued support of the De Soto #73 School District. Community partnerships like yours help create opportunities for our students, enhance experiences across our schools, and strengthen the connection between our district and local businesses.
Thank you for investing in our students, staff, and community and for being a valued part of the Dragon family. Your partnership and support are truly appreciated! #PartneringTogether
Project Complete!
Thanks to grant funding from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, Athena Elementary/De Soto Primary now has a safer, more inclusive playground for all!
This completed project provides students with an enhanced outdoor space where they can play, explore, and build friendships in an environment designed with accessibility and safety in mind.
We are grateful for the Missouri Department of Natural Resources' investment in our students and school community. We can't wait to see our Dragons enjoy this amazing new playground for years to come!
Thanks to grant funding from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, Athena Elementary/De Soto Primary now has a safer, more inclusive playground for all!
This completed project provides students with an enhanced outdoor space where they can play, explore, and build friendships in an environment designed with accessibility and safety in mind.
We are grateful for the Missouri Department of Natural Resources' investment in our students and school community. We can't wait to see our Dragons enjoy this amazing new playground for years to come!
At last month’s Board of Education meeting, De Soto #73 School District proudly recognized Mrs. Deana Pope, Director of Technology, for her outstanding leadership and continued dedication to advancing technology across our district.
Under Mrs. Pope’s direction, our district has made significant improvements to technology infrastructure, including upgrades to servers, wireless access points, network wiring, security cameras, Chromebooks, Promethean Boards, and many other critical systems that support daily operations and student learning.
Through strategic planning and thoughtful replacement cycles, she has ensured our technology remains reliable, secure, and up to date while maintaining strong fiscal responsibility. Her commitment to supporting staff, creating engaging learning environments, and keeping district systems running efficiently has made a lasting impact across De Soto #73.
Thank you, Mrs. Pope, for your vision, expertise, and dedication to supporting our students, staff, and community every day!
Reminder: Board of Education Meeting
Our Board of Education will be meeting on Thursday, July 16, 2026. These meetings are a great opportunity to stay informed about what's happening in our district and hear important updates that impact our students, staff, and community.
Location: 610 Vineland School Rd.
Time: 6:00 PM
Everyone is welcome to attend! We value your input and look forward to seeing you there!
Our Board of Education will be meeting on Thursday, July 16, 2026. These meetings are a great opportunity to stay informed about what's happening in our district and hear important updates that impact our students, staff, and community.
Location: 610 Vineland School Rd.
Time: 6:00 PM
Everyone is welcome to attend! We value your input and look forward to seeing you there!
Our New District Website & Mobile App Are Now Live!
We are excited to announce that our new district website and mobile app are officially live!
As part of this transition, our new district website can now be accessed at:
Our new website and mobile app provide families with an updated, more user-friendly way to access district news, calendars, staff directories, notifications, menus, and other important resources—all in one place.
Download the De Soto #73 app for Apple
Download the De Soto #73 app for Android
We encourage all families, students, staff, and community members to visit the new website and download the De Soto #73 School District mobile app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store to stay connected.
Thank you for your continued support. We hope you enjoy the new experience!
Now Hiring – Join the De Soto #73 Transportation Team!
We’re looking for dependable and caring individuals to help safely transport our students each day. Current openings include:
Bus Drivers
Bus Mechanic
Substitute Bus Drivers
If you are interested in making a difference and becoming part of an amazing team, we would love to hear from you!
Contact April McKinney at mckinney.april@desoto.k12.mo.us
636-586-1078
Apply today and help keep our Dragons moving!
We’re looking for dependable and caring individuals to help safely transport our students each day. Current openings include:
Bus Drivers
Bus Mechanic
Substitute Bus Drivers
If you are interested in making a difference and becoming part of an amazing team, we would love to hear from you!
Contact April McKinney at mckinney.april@desoto.k12.mo.us
636-586-1078
Apply today and help keep our Dragons moving!
Dragon Families! Transportation Information is Now Available!
Transportation information for the 2026-2027 school year is now available in your Infinite Campus Parent Portal!
We're excited to provide this information earlier than ever before to help your family prepare for the upcoming school year. Please remember that transportation routes may continue to change throughout the summer as students enroll in or leave the district.
Need to request a change?
If your student's transportation information is incorrect, please contact our Transportation Department at 636-586-1078. If you leave a voicemail, please include:
-Student's first and last name
-Grade and school
-New bus stop or address
-Whether the change is for AM, PM, or both
-A brief description of the requested change
You may also email:
April McKinney – mckinney.april@desoto.k12.mo.us
Monica Nichol – nichol.monica@desoto.k12.mo.us
Please allow 48 hours for changes to be processed before following up.
A few important reminders:
-Bus routes may continue to change as updates are made throughout the summer.
-If your student is assigned transportation but will not be riding the bus, please let the Transportation Department know.
-Sunrise students' transportation information will not appear in the Parent Portal.
-Students who receive transportation through an IEP may not yet have transportation information available. Those routes are expected to be completed and visible by the end of next week.
Thank you for your patience and partnership as we prepare for another great school year. We can't wait to welcome our Dragons back soon!
Transportation information for the 2026-2027 school year is now available in your Infinite Campus Parent Portal!
We're excited to provide this information earlier than ever before to help your family prepare for the upcoming school year. Please remember that transportation routes may continue to change throughout the summer as students enroll in or leave the district.
Need to request a change?
If your student's transportation information is incorrect, please contact our Transportation Department at 636-586-1078. If you leave a voicemail, please include:
-Student's first and last name
-Grade and school
-New bus stop or address
-Whether the change is for AM, PM, or both
-A brief description of the requested change
You may also email:
April McKinney – mckinney.april@desoto.k12.mo.us
Monica Nichol – nichol.monica@desoto.k12.mo.us
Please allow 48 hours for changes to be processed before following up.
A few important reminders:
-Bus routes may continue to change as updates are made throughout the summer.
-If your student is assigned transportation but will not be riding the bus, please let the Transportation Department know.
-Sunrise students' transportation information will not appear in the Parent Portal.
-Students who receive transportation through an IEP may not yet have transportation information available. Those routes are expected to be completed and visible by the end of next week.
Thank you for your patience and partnership as we prepare for another great school year. We can't wait to welcome our Dragons back soon!
