Welcome to our brand new Family Engagement Newsletter! This is a new partnership between Student Learning and Communications & Family Engagement. 

We will be sharing resources to support our families and other important updates!

As part of the commitment to supporting families, DeSoto Parish Schools is launching some new initiatives to share information and best practices around important issues. While we don’t claim to be experts in everything, we will share not only good information, but some tips and tricks from our incredible team of educators to help support our students outside of school. 

The first topic is one that is the minds of parents now more than ever, screen time!

Across the country, educators and researchers are sounding the alarm about the impact of cell phone use on student learning, behavior and mental health. As we approach the 20th anniversary of the first-generation iPhone, the full launch of streaming, and exponential growth in device use for every age group, there is more research than ever before about the impacts of screen time on children. 

While this research is often introduced with catchy headlines designed to encourage clicks and spending more time on screens, there are a variety of ways that families can ensure a balance. 

There are many resources available for setting guidance and guidelines for screen time, but they all have a few things in common including

“The world has changed so much from when today’s parents were in school and while we have changed and adapted the school day to incorporate technology we are also deliberate about making sure that our kids get to be kids,” said Superintendent Clay Corley. “We know that families are a child’s first and most important teachers so as a district we are looking for more ways to partner with our families to create a well-rounded world for our students to thrive.”

When we return from break, state testing will begin!

The State of Louisiana has some great resources for families and students to prepare for testing including fact sheets, practice tests and more. 

Be sure students are well-rested and ontime during testing

The LEAP assessment window for DeSoto Parish Schools is open April 6 through May 15 for students in grades 3–8 and high school. These assessments provide important information about how well students are mastering grade-level standards in subjects such as English Language Arts, Math, Science, and Social Studies.

Families play an important role in helping students feel confident and prepared during testing. You can support your child by encouraging consistent attendance, ensuring they get a good night’s sleep, and helping them arrive at school ready to do their best each day.

Here are a few simple ways families can help students succeed during the LEAP testing period:

It is never too early (or late) to start doing literacy activities with your child. Strong literacy skills are essential for development and provide a foundation for school and work performance, social skills, and solving problems in all subject areas. Just a few minutes spent each day on simple literacy activities can add up to a lifelong love of reading and learning! Available in multiple languages, these literacy-based activities are available for all ages. 

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.