De Soto #73 School District
610 Vineland School Road De Soto, MO 63020
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!
Homecoming Spirit Starts Early!
A big THANK YOU to our De Soto High School students who went out of their way this morning to give our Intermediate and Primary students a warm Homecoming welcome!
There’s nothing better than seeing our Dragons come together across all grade levels to celebrate school spirit and make our younger students feel special.
Thank you, DHS students, for starting Homecoming morning with smiles, excitement, and plenty of Dragon Pride!
Happy Homecoming, Dragons!
A big THANK YOU to our De Soto High School students who went out of their way this morning to give our Intermediate and Primary students a warm Homecoming welcome!
There’s nothing better than seeing our Dragons come together across all grade levels to celebrate school spirit and make our younger students feel special.
Thank you, DHS students, for starting Homecoming morning with smiles, excitement, and plenty of Dragon Pride!
Happy Homecoming, Dragons!
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.