As DeSoto ISD begins construction on a new elementary school, located southeast of the Polk/Uhl Rd. and Parkerville Rd. intersection, the Board has requested input from the community for the name of the new school. The school is scheduled to open in the fall of 2018 and will include a technology magnet program.

The responsibility for naming facilities rests with the Board of Trustees for the DeSoto ISD. When the Board is considering naming a new facility, suggestions can include:

• A person or persons who served the district or community, especially children
• A state or national heroic figure
• A person or persons who made a significant contribution to society and/or education and name shall lend prestige and status to an institute of learning
• A local residential or geographic area

Individuals or groups wishing to submit a suggested name can use the online form to include the suggested name, reason for their suggestion and their contact information by Friday, March 10 at 12 noon. Recommendations will be compiled and submitted to the Board for consideration.

In the competitive arena of education, DeSoto ISD has stepped up to create the best opportunities for every DeSoto ISD student.

“We offer every major program of choice for students today including iSTEAM, fine arts, medical, business and law, two college degree programs, leadership academies, linguistics, and more!” stated Superintendent David Harris.

So how do you get into a magnet program?

1. Apply online by the deadline – one per student, you can prioritize your programs of choice
2. Be sure to upload your current report card and address verification.
3. Fine Arts auditions in February – prepare your audition based on your field of performance.
4. Watch for March notification of program acceptance.

Applications for eleven (11) DeSoto ISD Magnet Academy programs opened Monday, December 19, 2016. The elementary and middle school applications close January 23, 2017, at midnight. DeSoto High School applications - Early College High School, Collegiate Magnet Program, and IB - close on January 30, 2017, at midnight.

As a selective enrollment district, students from outside the district boundaries are eligible to request enrollment. If they meet academic, discipline, and attendance criteria and space is available (DeSoto ISD students are first priority), they can be granted enrollment. Selective enrollment students are held to strict guidelines for grades, discipline, and attendance and can have their enrollment revoked if these guidelines are not met.

The iSTEAM3D Magnet Academies will utilize available slots through the lottery process which will include The Meadows Elementary, West MS, East MS, Curtistene S. McCowan MS, and DeSoto High School. The lottery will take place in early March after preference is given to students moving up from a program below.

“We know students learn at their optimum when they are engaged in what they are passionate about learning. We are building capacity for every student to succeed in the field of their dreams – and giving them the resources to succeed in college and the workplace,” stated Dr. Harris.

What are the DeSoto ISD Magnet and Innovative Programs?

Currently, DeSoto ISD has 15 magnet and innovative programs for students. It’s what every parent wants – a learning experience that engages their child, supports his or her interests, and opens pathways to success. Simply put, we are giving students and their parents the power of choice - based on personal interests and passions to take ownership in their educational experience.

• Collegiate Magnet Program (Associate Degree at DHS)
• Early College High School (Associate Degree at DHS)
• International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (DHS)
• West International Male Leadership Magnet Academy (Gr. 6-8)
• East Medical Magnet Academy (Gr. 6-8)
• McCowan Fine Arts Magnet Academy (Gr. 6-8)
• Northside Business and Law Magnet Academy (Gr. 3-5)
• Ruby Young Medical & Environmental Sciences Magnet Academy (Gr. 3-5)
• Woodridge Fine Arts Magnet Academy (Gr. K-5)
• Cockrell Hill Linguistics Magnet Academy (Gr. K-5)
• Frank D. Moates Blended Learning Magnet Academy (Gr. 2-5)

• LOTTERY - DHS iSTEAM Magnet Academy (Gr. 9-12)
• LOTTERY - iSTEAM3D Magnet Academies (All three middle schools)
• LOTTERY - The Meadows iSTEAM Magnet Academy (Gr. 1-5)

For more information, visit www.desotoisd.org and click on Magnet Programs!

Northside Elementary 2^nd grade teacher Megan McCutchen-Mitchell was nominated for the LifeChanger of the Year award from National Life Group. LifeChanger of the Year is an annual program that recognizes and rewards K-12 education professionals.

LifeChangers must be K-12 educators, teachers, administrators or any member of a school’s staff who makes a positive difference in the lives of students. If selected, she could win up to $10,000 and additional funds for her school.

Mitchell, who was the 2016 DeSoto ISD Elementary Teacher of the Year, launched several community enrichment programs at her classroom to increase student’s experiences and expand their exposure to real world settings.

The selection committee will select 15 national winners and a Spirit Award winner. The national winners are based on the individual’s nomination and includes their ability the make a beneficial difference in the lives of students, high moral and ethical standards, and leadership.

The LifeChanger Spirit Award recognizes the community that shows the most spirit for their nominee through comments, shares on social media and recognizing the nominee at the campus.

“We encourage all DeSoto ISD and the community to take a moment to comment, post, share, like, tweet and pin in support of Mrs. Mitchell using #LCOY,” stated Dr. Lori Mathis, Principal of Northside Elementary. “We can earn $2,500 for Mrs. Mitchell, and $2,500 for the school!”

Despite the cold on January 7, fans and dignitaries turned out the honor the four State Titles won by DeSoto High School teams in the 2016 calendar year – Boys Basketball, Boys Track, Girls Track, and Football (6A-D2) in the DHS Dyer Gymnasium.

With food trucks out front serving warm food, guests entered to a mix of the band and a DJ, spot lights and an atmosphere of excitement! K104 DJ Lady Jade kicked off the event with the introduction of the four teams down the red carpet with cheerleaders and fans cheering them on. Once all were seated, the JROTC presented the Colors and senior Eric Adejuwon led the invocation before Principal Arista Owens-McGowan and Athletic Director Larry Davis welcomed all guests. Superintendent David Harris introduced our dignitaries, guests watched a special video message by Board President Carl Sherman, Jr. and heard from Board Vice President Aubrey C. Hooper.

DeSoto Mayor Curtistene McCowan and the City Council proclaimed the day State Champions Day and presented each group with a copy of the proclamation. Congratulations followed from Senator Royce West, Rep. Helen Giddings, Rep. Yvonne Davis and County Commissioner John Wily Price.

Each of the four coaches spoke briefly, thanking the community, our dignitaries, the district teachers and administration, the fans, parents and especially the players for their dedication and hard work to achieve each championship – Football Coach Todd Peterman, Girls Track Coach June Villers, Boys Basketball Coach Chris Dyer and Boys Track Coach Donald Miller. District football alumni – notably Ro Parrish and Corey Borner – congratulated each team, but especially the football team for accomplishing what each previous team had strived to achieve.

Finally, WFAA and Chevy had two special presentations with Chevy representative Jeff Sorrells of Chuck Fairbanks Chevrolet announcing the news: DeSoto had won team of the week for Week for 15, but was also named the 2016 WFAA Chevy Team of the Year! The Football Team captains and Coach Peterman accepted the award.

The DeSoto High School Library hosted the campus Literacy Club, Collegiate Magnet Program students and Northside Elementary students for a special book signing by Dallas educator and author Shondra M. Quarles. The signing was part of the Teen Read Week Promotion to promote the 2016-17 Eagles Read Campaign.

Quarles, who has a passion for teaching, was inspired to become an author by her students. She wrote Kindergartner Wisdom because she was enthralled by their perceptions of the world. Her next book, Kinder Tales, is currently in the making. She also wrote The Teacher Who Didn’t Want to go to School, dedicated to educators around the world who make sacrifices to serve better the students they teach.

Quarles obtained her bachelor’s degree from the University of the Southwest in Early Childhood Education. She co-authored an action research project titled Chasing Core Knowledge: Where to Find the Time which was published by the Center for Teaching Excellence.

Students were able to hear from Quarles about becoming an author and as questions about the process.