DeSoto Parish Schools -

The latest issue of DeSoto Schools Digest is live now! Check it out for some highlights from our schools, some holiday cheer, and more. Have a great break! https://desotoparishschoolsla.edurooms.com/engage/desoto-parish-schools/newsletters/desoto-digest-vol-1-issue-4

🎄 Superintendent Message: Christmas Blessings from DeSoto Parish Schools 🎄 As we close out the semester and prepare to celebrate the Christmas season, I want to take a moment to thank our incredible families and community for the ongoing support you give to our schools. The Christmas Story reminds us of the joy and hope that come from giving, serving, and coming together as a community. Your partnership with us in shaping the lives of our students reflects that same spirit, and I am so grateful for the role you play in their success. This holiday season, I wish you rest, peace, and joy. May your home be filled with love, laughter, and cherished moments with family and friends. Thank you for being such an important part of #TheDeSotoDifference. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! With gratitude, Clay J. Corley Superintendent

🎄✨ Happy Holidays from DeSoto Parish Schools! ✨🎄 As we wrap up the year, we want to wish all of our families a safe, joyful, and relaxing holiday break. Thank you for making 2024 such a memorable year filled with growth, learning, and success! A reminder: Staff will report tomorrow, December 20th, and return on January 6, 2025. Students last day, is today, December 19th and will return to school on January 8, 2025. All school campuses and administrative offices will be closed from December 23 through January 6. We look forward to welcoming everyone back in the new year, refreshed and ready for a fantastic start to 2025. From our DeSoto Parish Schools family to yours, happy holidays! 🎁

Cade Brumley, Superintendent of the LDOE, visited LHS where he spoke with kindergarten students in Mrs. Julia Johnson's class after they completed the LDOE Universal Literacy Screener. Mrs. Johnson explained that Dr. Brumley had been her principal in school!! #TheDesotoDifference

🎄✨ The final week of the fall semester is here! Let’s finish strong and keep up the great work in class! Your presence makes a difference as we wrap up before the Christmas break! 🎒📚 #AttendanceMatters #EverydayCounts #DeSotoParishSchools #FinishStrong #ChristmasBreakIsNear

Check out the latest episode of DeSoto Community Connections featuring Superintendent Clay Corley and Director of Student Learning Bridget Flanders discussing the 2023-24 state performance data. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_a2_vh5G6I

Our hearts are heavy as we continue to mourn the passing of Mr. Heith Parker, a beloved leader, friend, and integral member of the DeSoto Parish Schools family. To honor his legacy and his profound impact on our community, a scholarship fund is being established in his name to support students in pursuing their dreams. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to the Heith Parker Scholarship Fund. Deposits can be made in person or by mail at all Community Bank of Louisiana locations. Checks should be made payable to either Mrs. Barbara Parker with "Heith Parker Benefit" in the memo line or directly to Heith Parker Benefit. We invite you to join us in celebrating Mr. Parker's life on Monday, December 16th, at 3:00 pm. at Brookwood Baptist Church in Shreveport. The family will receive friends from 2:00 pm until the time of service. Your contributions and prayers mean so much during this time, helping to ensure Mr. Parker’s legacy continues to inspire future generations.

DeSoto Parish Schools mourns the loss of a remarkable leader, mentor, and friend, Mr. Heith Parker, our beloved Director of Facilities and Operations. His decades of service to our school system and dedication and service to our students and staff will forever be cherished. Mr. Parker began his journey with DeSoto Parish Schools in 1998-1999 as an Adult Education teacher and coach at North DeSoto High School, where he contributed to the football and baseball programs. His passion for education and mentorship was evident as he transitioned to teaching Physical Education at North DeSoto Elementary and Middle School from 1999 to 2007 while continuing his role as a football coach. In 2007, Mr. Parker's commitment to excellence led him to serve as Assistant Principal at North DeSoto Elementary (Grades 3-5), where he spent six impactful years fostering a culture of learning and leadership. In 2013, he was elevated to a district-level role as Supervisor of Maintenance, later becoming Director of Facilities and Operations. Over the last decade, his expertise and vision ensured our schools' safety, efficiency, and growth, leaving a legacy of excellence in every project he led. A proud graduate of Stanley High School, Mr. Parker pursued higher education earning a Bachelor's degree from Louisiana State University Shreveport and a Master's in Supervision and Administration from Northwestern State University. His academic and professional achievements reflected his commitment to lifelong learning and leadership. Beyond his professional contributions, Mr. Parker was a devoted husband to his wife, Barbara, a loving father to Stephanie and Madison, and a proud grandfather to Beckett, who brought him immense joy. Mr. Parker's legacy is one of compassion, leadership, and dedication. He was a cornerstone of DeSoto Parish Schools, touching countless lives and leaving an indelible mark on our community. While his presence will be deeply missed, the values he embodied and the impact he made will continue to make a difference in DeSoto Parish Schools. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the Parker family and ask our DeSoto Parish Schools family to join us in remembering and honoring Mr. Heith Parker's extraordinary life and service.

Congratulations to Mrs. Lauren Emerson on being elected as the NAAE Region II Vice President last week at the NAAE National Convention. The opportunities and duties that come with this position will only benefit her students in her classroom and out. She is #TheDeSotoDifference!

Last night, our Logansport High School Tigers gave it their all in the semifinal matchup. While the game didn’t end in our favor, it was a well-fought battle that highlighted this team's incredible talent and heart. To our players, coaches, and supporters, thank you for an unforgettable season. Your hard work, resilience, and dedication represent the small-town traditions that we are so proud of! Congratulations on a great season, Tigers! We can’t wait to see you back in action in 2025. 🐅🏈 #DeSotoStrong.

Three DeSoto Parish schools have been recognized as Opportunity Honorees! The Louisiana Department of Education awards this designation to schools that demonstrate excellence in educating students with disabilities, English learners, and economically disadvantaged students. These schools include: ⭐ Mansfield High School ⭐ North DeSoto High School ⭐ North DeSoto Middle School Congratulations to these schools on their recognition for demonstrating #TheDeSotoDifference!

🎄✨ The halls of the District Office are filled with festive spirit, creativity, and a touch of friendly competition! This year’s Holiday Door Decorating Contest brought out the best in our teams, with incredible displays of teamwork and holiday cheer. 🎅🎁 Student Learning takes home the 2nd place prize with their Polar Express theme and our Special Services Department wowed with their impressive light display for the top prize. Tis the season to spread holiday cheer! #TheDeSotoDifference

We were proud to present our December Employees of the Month at our board meeting last night! LaTonya Sandifer, Wilquetta Ross, and Lauren Davlin thank you for making #TheDeSotoDifference for our students and communities!

🏈 Good Luck, Tigers! 🏈 DeSoto Parish is cheering on the Logansport High School Tigers as they take the field tonight in the semifinal matchup against South Plaquemines! Your hard work, determination, and Tiger pride have brought you this far, and we can’t wait to see you shine. Play hard, stay focused, and leave it all on the field. The entire DeSoto Parish family is rooting for you! #GeauxTigers #DeSotoStrong #Semifinals

DeSoto Parish Schools had the honor of hosting families at last night’s December 5th School Board meeting to celebrate some of our brightest stars and dedicated professionals. We proudly recognized our 2024-2025 School-Level and District Winners for: 🏆 Student of the Year 🌟 New Teacher of the Year 🌟 Teacher of the Year 🌟 Support Staff of the Year Each honoree represents the hard work, talent, and commitment that make DeSoto Parish Schools shine. Thank you to their families for supporting them every step of the way! We also welcomed new leadership to our team as Phillip Palmer was sworn into the District 6 seat. Judge Nicholas Gasper administered the Oath of Office, and we are excited to see Mr. Palmer’s contributions to our schools and community. It was a night filled with pride and celebration! #TheDeSotoDifference #DeSotoStrong

Our academic excellence is front and center! Six DeSoto Parish District schools have been recognized as Top Gains Honorees. This designation is awarded to schools that demonstrate excellence in student progress from one year to the next. These include: ⭐ Mansfield High School ⭐ Mansfield Elementary ⭐ North DeSoto Lower Elementary ⭐ North DeSoto Upper Elementary ⭐ North DeSoto Middle School ⭐ North DeSoto High School We couldn't be prouder of our staff, students, and families for their continual investment in student success! #TheDeSotoDifference

🏆 Celebrating Excellence in Education! 🏆 In case you missed the news yesterday, DeSoto Parish Schools is thrilled to recognize Charday Wilson, Math and Science Master Teacher at Logansport High School, as the recipient of the prestigious Milken Educator Award! This incredible honor, which includes a $25,000 cash prize, highlights her outstanding contributions to education and her unwavering dedication to student success. 🌟 Mrs. Wilson’s innovative teaching and commitment to excellence truly embody the #DeSotoDifference. We are so proud of her achievements and the lasting impact she is making in her classroom and beyond. 📖 Read about Ms. Wilson's story here: desotopsb.com/article/1909652 💛💜 #DeSotoServes @MilkenEducatorAwards @LouisianaDepartmentofEducation

Our district ranks 5th in Louisiana in the DCAI (Dropout/Credit Accumulation Index). This is a measure of how many high school credits students earn by the end of 9th grade, and is an important indicator of if students will graduate on time. We’re proud of our community’s hard work, as it also led to DeSoto Parish ranking FIRST in Graduation Rate! 🎓 #TheDeSotoDifference

🏅 We’re proud to announce that DeSoto Parish Schools ranks SECOND in the state for Strength of Diploma! 🏅 This is a measure of students graduating with post-secondary credentials and college credits. Not only are we second in this measure, but the district itself ranks second in the state, and is one of only eleven school systems with an overall rating of “A!” Read more: https://www.desotopsb.com/article/1885792?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR2Rd0FQm2qz5dtXapO5z-4J-LcDM2DHy8f48j4IRjF9RQI-vefyEmURNo8_aem_VcaE5Had_AO8rTAcirXi2g #TheDeSotoDifference

DeSoto Parish ranks 9th in the state in the High School Assessment Index! 📚 Assessment scores are just one factor that led our district to ranking SECOND in the state! Read more: https://www.desotopsb.com/article/1885792?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR2Rd0FQm2qz5dtXapO5z-4J-LcDM2DHy8f48j4IRjF9RQI-vefyEmURNo8_aem_VcaE5Had_AO8rTAcirXi2g