Library Resources Now Available
DeSoto ISD Librarians have compiled a body of resources for staff, students and families. Find out what’s new in DeSoto ISD Libraries here:  https://www.smore.com/drp8
School Board Meeting Information
Open Meetings Act Provisions Due to CoVid-19
 
Virtual Conferencing
In compliance with the recommendations to maintain social distancing and following guidance regarding the amended Open Meetings Act parameters, we are prepared to facilitate the April Board meetings via video conference. We intend to follow the established parameters regarding public inclusion, communication and trustee voting. Viewers can access the meeting via DeSoto ISD web site or at this direct link:  http://desotoisdtx.swagit.com/live
 
Citizens’ Participation
Governor Abbott suspended certain provisions of the Open Meetings Act due to COVID-19 (see below). Specifically regarding public comments, the governor has suspended this provision.
Special Called Meeting to Discuss Postponement of 2020 Board Elections
On March 18, 2020, Greg Abbott, the Governor of Texas, issued a proclamation suspending Sections 41.0052(a) and (b) of the Texas Election Code and Section 49.103 of the Texas Water Code to the extent necessary to allow political subdivisions that would otherwise hold elections on May 2, 2020, to move their general and special elections for 2020 only to the next uniform election date, occurring on November 3, 2020, without otherwise adjusting the term of office, and suspending Sections 31.093 and 42.0621(c) of the Texas Election Code to the extent necessary to require all county election officers, if requested by an affected political subdivision, to enter into a contract to furnish election services with any political subdivision who postponed their election to November 3, 2020, under the authority of this proclamation.
 
Traditionally, Dallas County has managed elections for numerous entities including City Council and School Board elections. The various entities participating in the election split the total cost associated with the election.
 
At its special called meeting on Thursday, March 26, the DeSoto City Council unanimously passed a resolution to move the May 2 City Council elections to the November 3 uniform election date.
 
The DeSoto ISD School Board will hold a special called meeting on Monday, March 30, 2020, to discuss possibly moving the May 2 election to November 3.
Teaching & Learning
Hi DeSoto ISD Eagles! You’ve been patiently awaiting news about a long-term plan for distance learning for this semester while you have worked HARD on your week 1 and week 2 distance learning assignments! We’ve got a stellar plan to meet the needs of our students with tech and tech-free assignments, flexible instructional methods to allow students, families, and district employees the flexibility to adjust to life in response to a global pandemic, and a plan that ensures access to high-quality learning for kids! 
 
To be sure we pull it off with the highest quality, and that we solve for the many challenges facing us all as we shelter in place, the week of March 30, 2020 will be an intensive professional learning and planning week for our grown-up DeSoto Eagles.  For students, we have posted learning plans for the week of March 30, 2020. Find the plans at our   DeSoto ISD Distance Learning website . Students and families with questions should contact their child’s teachers directly.
Student Support Services
  • Student Support Services (SSS) collaborated with district counselors to create Journaling activities for Weeks 3 and beyond.
  • SSS collaborated with middle school support teams: GEAR UP, ACE, CTE, and A2E2 in order to discuss 1:1 check-ins with middle school students and to create college and career and SEL facing activities for students in middle school.
  • Special Education held a principal call to review Weeks 3 and beyond support and will plan expectations to ensure students accessing Special Education services have appropriate support. ARD meetings have resumed and are running virtually. Additional services such as speech, occupational therapy, and other related services are in the process of being scheduled to be delivered virtually.
  • Post-Graduation team has finalized Week 3 and beyond support plan and has created a tracker for seniors to ensure that all students are regularly supported to graduation.  
RED/Technology
  • Device Distribution: Device distribution is underway Friday 3/27, for the students in 6th-12th grade who have been prioritized. These students/families received notification via email and have been given an individualized code to use for pick-up. Approved students/parents picking up the devices will show the personalized code they received (while remaining in their car) and a device will be deposited into the trunk of their car. The times for pick-up will be as follows: 
  • HS Students: 9 am - 12 pm
  • MS Students: 1 pm - 4 pm
**ONLY STUDENTS/PARENTS WHO RECEIVED AN INDIVIDUAL CODE WILL BE ELIGIBLE TO PICK UP A DEVICE.**

  • Device Prioritization Criteria: Students prioritized to receive a device were identified through surveys that parents completed online and via phone conversations that teachers had with parents or students. Priority was given to students who do not currently have access to a device at home and have access to the internet at home. At this time, we are only offering one device per family. The first round of device distribution will take place on Friday and is targeted at middle and high school students. Further communication will follow for students who were not able to receive a device at this time. In the meantime, students who do not have consistent device access should continue to follow the ‘No Technology’ portion of the DeSoto ISD Distance Learning Plan.

  • A2E2 & Advanced Academics: A2E2 and Advanced Academics are continuing to support the development and rollout of the DeSoto ISD Distance Learning plan. We appreciate all of the personnel who have been working around the clock to get this plan fleshed out and clearly delineated for our families and community!
Operations
Child Nutrition
Free meals for children 18 and under will be served at:
 
The Meadows Elementary
Frank D. Moates Elementary 
DeSoto High School - Freshman Side
Woodridge Elementary- Food Truck
Amber Terrace DDC- Food Truck
 
Meals will be served from
9:00 a.m.- 1:00 p.m.
Monday- Friday
 
Breakfast: 9:00 a.m.- 11:00 a.m.
Lunch 11:00- 1:00 p.m.
 
Food Truck
Woodridge: 9:00 a.m.- 10:50 a.m.
Amber Terrace DDC: 11:00 a.m.- 1:00 p.m
 
The packaged meals will be distributed in a drive-thru fashion, so no one will need to exit their personal vehicles, but all participating children must be present, or in the vehicle. Children do not have to be a student at the campus to qualify for the meal. Meals are served by door access, sometimes on the side of the building so keep an eye out for tables set up outside.
Communications
  • We are continuing to monitor and respond to inquiries on the Info@DeSotoISD.org account, social media and other means.

  • Please note the Attorney General has provided revised timelines for district response to Open Records Requests during school closures. Read more here.
DeSoto ISD | www.DeSotoISD.org