DeSoto Serves to make a difference in the lives of our students by instilling a sense of community and responsibility, providing a positive and collaborative culture, and promoting excellence through innovative educational experiences and service to others.
DeSoto Parish Schools
2025-26 School Calendar Approved
The DeSoto Parish School Board approved the 2025-26 school year calendar at their January meeting.
Superintendent's Message
Dear DeSoto Schools Family,
Our students need you now more than ever. With just under 60 days left in the school year, we are reminded of how quickly time passes and how precious each moment is in shaping the future of our community.
Education is not just about what happens within the walls of our schools. It thrives when families, educators, and community members work together to build an environment where every child feels supported, valued, and challenged to reach their full potential. Your involvement—whether through mentorship, volunteering, or simply showing up—makes an immeasurable difference.
The final stretch of the school year is a time of growth, reflection, and opportunity. Let’s make these last days count. Let’s ensure our students see and feel the support of an entire community invested in their success. Whether it’s celebrating their achievements, encouraging their efforts, or lending a helping hand, your engagement fuels their belief in what is possible.
Together, we can turn small actions into lasting impact—because when schools, families, and communities work together, our students thrive. #BetterTogether
For Students’ Sake,
Clay J. Corley
Superintendent
Great News
Stephen McCutcheon Named Supervisor of Finance for DeSoto Parish Schools
DeSoto Parish Schools is pleased to announce the appointment of Stephen McCutcheon as the new Supervisor of Finance. McCutcheon brings over two decades of experience in accounting, including 15 years as an Accounting Manager for the DeSoto Parish School Board.
McCutcheon holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Louisiana State University Shreveport (LSUS) and is currently pursuing his Master of Business Administration (MBA). He also carries distinguished credentials in school finance, including the School Finance and Operations (SFO) certification and certification as a Louisiana School Business Official.
“Stepping into the Supervisor of Finance role with the DeSoto Parish School Board means taking on the responsibility of managing resources wisely, ensuring financial decisions align with the district's goals and values, and providing a positive and collaborative culture between the Finance Department, employees, and the community,” said McCutcheon. “I am excited to transition into this position to support the students and staff of the DeSoto Parish School Board.”
With over 20 years of experience in accounting and a strong background in school financial operations, McCutcheon is well-positioned to lead the district’s financial strategy and planning.
McCutcheon is a proud father to three children: Tripp (16), Magnolia (13), and Georgia (11).
The DeSoto Parish School Board looks forward to McCutcheon’s leadership in maintaining financial excellence and ensuring the district continues to provide outstanding educational opportunities for its students.
Josh Dahlem Appointed Director of Operations for DeSoto Parish Schools
DeSoto Parish Schools is proud to announce the appointment of Josh Dahlem as the new Director of Operations. A dedicated educator and district leader, Dahlem has served the district for 17 years and will step into this leadership role following the passing of the late Heith Parker.
Throughout his career, Dahlem has demonstrated a strong commitment to student success and operational excellence. He spent a decade as a classroom teacher at Mansfield High School and Stanley High School where he primarily taught Agricultural Sciences in various curriculums. He has served for seven years at the DeSoto Parish Schools Central Office as a College and Career Coordinator and later as Supervisor of Strategic Initiatives and Student Opportunities.
Dahlem holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture Education from Louisiana Tech University and a Masters of Educational Leadership from Louisiana State University Shreveport. He also holds certifications in numerous industry-based credentials.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Dahlem is a devoted family man. He and his wife, Danielle, are proud parents to their son, Hunter (13) who attends North DeSoto Middle School.
“It is an honor to be selected as the Director of Operations. I will strive to embody our district's core values while ensuring that our schools can make a difference in the lives of our students while being a good steward of our taxpayers' dollars,” said Dahlem. “I look forward to meeting the challenges that will arise while ensuring our students and staff have a safe and productive work environment.”
DeSoto Parish Schools welcomes Mr. Dahlem into this new role and looks forward to his leadership in shaping the district’s future. The district is confident that his wealth of knowledge and expertise will contribute to maintaining efficient operations and top-quality facilities that benefit students, staff, and families.
DeSoto Parish Schools Welcomes Louisiana State Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley
We are grateful for the opportunity to showcase the dedication and collaboration of our educators at North Desoto Upper Elementary. Strong partnerships and a shared commitment to excellence are key drivers of our success, and we appreciate Dr. Brumley and the Louisiana Department of Education for recognizing the hard work of our teachers and staff. Together, we continue to create an environment where students thrive and achieve at the highest levels
Celebrating Public Schools Week 2025!
We have been celebrating Public Schools Week (PSW25) this week! This is a time to honor the incredible work of our public schools and the educators, staff, parents, and school board members dedicated to supporting students.
This year’s theme, Community Engagement, highlights how schools and their communities work together to advance student achievement and success.
We are so grateful for every single individual who does so much to bring amazing educational opportunities to the children of DeSoto Parish!
Discover DeSoto Day is April 9
SAVE THE DATE: Wednesday, April 9, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. - DISCOVER DESOTO 2025
Prospective and resident teachers are invited to join us for a day in the district!
Tour all nine DeSoto Parish Schools campuses
Q/A sessions with faculty and staff
Visit classrooms
One-on-one meetings with Principals
Visit job embedded professional development in action
The opportunities are endless in DeSoto Parish. Join us and become part of
District Happenings
Thank You School Resource Officers!
February 15 was National School Resource Officer Appreciation Day!
We were proud to be able to recognize and celebrate our incredible School Resource Officers (SROs), with the DeSoto Parish Sheriff's Office , who serve and protect our students, staff, and schools every day. These dedicated officers go beyond the call of duty—not only ensuring safety but also building strong relationships with our students, mentoring, and creating a positive and caring school culture.
From morning greetings to after-school activities, our SROs are always there, offering guidance, support, and a reassuring presence. Their commitment to the well-being of our schools and communities does not go unnoticed, and we are beyond grateful for their hard work, dedication, and heart to keep our students safe.
Thank you, DeSoto Parish SROs, for all you do! Your impact reaches far beyond the classroom, and we are truly lucky to have you as part of our DeSoto Parish Schools family.
You Matter Campaign
The “You Matter” Campaign: A Movement of Support, Compassion, and Mental Health Awareness
At DeSoto Parish, we believe in the power of community, connection, and compassion. With this belief at the heart of our mission, we are excited to announce the launch of the "You Matter Campaign"—a heartfelt initiative designed to promote mental health, well-being, and suicide prevention for both students and staff.
This campaign focuses on reminding every individual within our school community that they are valued, seen, and heard, especially during difficult times.
The “You Matter” Campaign: An Overview
The “You Matter” Campaign is a school-wide initiative that encourages everyone to reach out, support one another, and foster an environment where mental health is openly discussed, understood, and prioritized. As part of the campaign, we are shining a spotlight on suicide prevention and providing essential resources for individuals who may be struggling with thoughts of self-harm or despair. Through this initiative, we are working to create a culture of kindness, open dialogue, and emotional support where no one feels alone.
The message is simple yet powerful: We matter. You matter. We all matter.
Additional Initiatives During You Matter Campaign
There will be a lot of different events and activities coming up, but we want to first share that You Matter Day will be spread on March 28!
You can order your official "You Matter" T-shirt and take part in this fun and powerful event!
You Matter T-Shirt Day: March 28, 2025 is dedicated to spreading the powerful message that we are all valued, seen, and heard. On this special day, everyone is encouraged to wear a "You Matter" t-shirt to show solidarity and support for mental health awareness. Order your shirt by 4:00 PM on March 14, 2025 to participate!
Join Us in Spreading the “You Matter” Message
The "You Matter Campaign" is more than just an event—it is a movement to create a compassionate and supportive school environment for all. We invite everyone in the DeSoto Parish School District to join us in fostering a culture of kindness, empathy, and understanding. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of our students, staff, and families.
Remember, no matter what challenges we face, you matter, and you are never alone.
Thank You For Your Input!
A huge thank you to all of the staff, families, and community members who shared their thoughts in our recent Communications Effectiveness Survey! We were able to hear from respondents about how they prefer to connect with our district, schools, and classroom teachers. We even heard that folks are appreciating this monthly newsletter!
Popular ways to connect with the district include social media accounts, the mobile app, emails, and the rooms messaging system. A majority of respondents felt that communications from the district are timely, accurate, and easy to understand.
A few celebrations included:
Sharing updates and stories on Social Media is working well and we will rely on other methods for informational items.
The Monday Memo has built a strong expectation for early in the week communication.
The District E-Newsletter is working! We are reaching more of our community with Parish-wide news than ever before. You are reading it right now!
We are also considering a few changes for the future:
Refocus the Podcast series as it is not reaching people as hoped.
Find more ways to get families from outside the North DeSoto area to share their thoughts.
Continue to strengthen school communications and the use of Rooms and other platforms at the teacher level.
Thank you again for your help!
DeSoto Parish Mobile App Updates
We are excited to announce some new updates to navigation features in our DeSoto Parish Mobile App!
One View, One Experience – Access school information, classroom updates, messages, and announcements in one centralized location—no more switching between “School” and “Rooms.”
Quick Access to Recent Updates – View all recent messages and announcements for all your children, across all teachers, in dedicated spotlight sections.
Check out these resources to get started!
Help Articles – Step-by-step guidance on navigating the app https://support.edurooms.com/kb/guide/en/navigating-your-app-with-rooms-JrPndahD6y/Steps/3814979
Apptegy Family Survey – Share your feedback! https://apptegy.typeform.com/to/mmNGTJIU
Watch the Video Tutorials:
English: https://youtu.be/zW9d0VzqDFI
Spanish: https://youtu.be/W8Cnu-tgK9M
Download the DeSoto Parish Mobile App today and experience the new, improved way to stay connected!
DeSoto Parish ACT Bootcamp
Hey students! Want to improve your ACT scores and open up more college opportunities? Join us for a free ACT Bootcamp on Saturday, March 8th, 2025 at the DeSoto Parish School Board building.
Here's what you can expect:
♟️Practical Strategies: Learn effective techniques to tackle the ACT.
🎯Score Improvement: Discover tips to help you reach your target score.
📝 Practice Time: Get valuable experience working through ACT-style questions and strategies.
🍕 Free Lunch: Enjoy pizza when you attend both the morning and afternoon sessions.
Ready to participate? Scan the QR code on the flyer to register and secure your spot. Please bring your student ID.
Let's work together to achieve your ACT goals!
Test Taking Tips And Strategies
Save The Date
Do not wait! Register now for our 3rd annual Back-to-School Blast-off Event! Click the registration form to get signed up!
Around Our Schools
At Logansport High School, elementary students wore red for American Heart Month in honor of Mrs. Abbie, Zion & Leland.
The Junior High Track team also celebrated some highlights with great results: Boys Results 100M: J. Barnes, Bronze 100M Hurdles: T. Garrett, Bronze 4x100 Team (J. Barnes, J. Hill, M. Hill, J. Barrett), Bronze Girls: 100M: B. Robinson, Silver 400M: B. Robinson, Bronze
PreK-5th grade students will be celebrating Read Across America Week March 3-7th.
Over in Mansfield, middle school students conducted a hands-on investigation to observe that light can cause materials to heat up, change color, and move. Students used a solar powered toy and liquid crystal sheets of paper to build their understanding that light carries energy by observing the different changes the energy causes to the matter.
Kindergarteners are celebrating being able to count to 100 in 1s and 10s and high school students are taking ownership of their learning and showcasing their business ideas!
North DeSoto schools are staying busy!
NDLE hosted grandparents day earlier this month with great attendance and a lot of fun. At NDUE, Mrs. Goodman's Homeroom class was modeling erosion with sand and even got to take their learning outside on a beautiful day.
NDMS's production of High School Musical, JR has been a ton of fun and the students are so talented!
NDHS students are gaining invaluable hands-on experience, thanks to our incredible partners!
Stanley High School Pre-K-5th grade students will observe the following dress-up days the week of March 3-7th and have been keeping busy.
The Stanley BETA Club members had the privilege of serving at the Northwest Louisiana Food Bank in Mansfield. They worked alongside fellow community members to pack and distribute boxes filled with essential food supplies to over 340 residents. It was a day full of hard work, but the blessing was in the serving.
Dates to Remember
March 14 - 3rd Grading Period Ends
March 31 - April 4 - Spring Break
April 18 - Good Friday Holiday
April 21 - Student Parent Teacher Conferences - Virtual Day for Students
Important Resources
We have compiled a list of resources to help you throughout the school year! If you have any additional questions, please feel free to fill out the "Ask a Question" form on our website.
Transportation Resources or call us at (318) 872-2798
Download the DeSoto Parish Mobile App
(318) 872-1198
(318) 872-2836
www.desotopsb.com
399 Jenkins Street
Mansfield, LA 71052