February

9-13 : Book Fair Week

12 - NDHS Mardi Gras Parade 9:00 am

13 - Grandparents Day

16-20: Winter Break (Schools Closed)

23 - PreK4 Online Registration begins

Dear DeSoto Parish Families and Staff,

Following the impacts of Winter Storm Fern on our community, DeSoto Parish Schools experienced the loss of five instructional days across the district. To remain compliant with required instructional time while minimizing disruption, the DeSoto Parish School Board approved a revision to the 2025–2026 academic calendar at its February board meeting.

This revision balances three priorities: recovering lost instructional time, preserving the quality of instruction, and limiting disruption for students, staff, and families.

The 2025-2026 calendar revision outlines the following :

(1) February 20th (virtual)- counts as one attendance day gained (Day 1)
(2) February 23rd -already counted as an attendance day, however students have changed from virtual to face-to-face
(3) March 30th (virtual)- counts as one attendance day gained ( Day 2)
(4) April 6th- Staff and students return to school one day early from spring break and counts as one attendance day gained (Day 3)
(5) April 7th -already counted as an attendance day, however students have changed from virtual to face-to-face
(6) May 22nd- students attend for last day of school; one attendance day gained (Day 4)

Virtual/At-Home Learning Days will include low-tech or no-tech options, and assignments will be posted ahead of time to support family planning. Families requesting a virtual conference may contact their child’s teacher or school administration to schedule an appointment, as needed.

Please visit the DeSoto Parish Schools homepage, www.desotopsb.com, to access the revised calendar for the current year.

Thank you for your continued partnership and support.

For Students’ Sake,

Clay Corley
Superintendent
DeSoto Parish Schools

Zearn challenge has been extended to FEBRUARY 11th.

The Little Griffins will watch the Mardi Gras parade with their class. 

Schools are closed for Winter Break February 16-20. February 20th is a Virtual Day for students. February 23rd is now a regular school day, not a parent conference day. 

Grandparents Day is Friday, February 13th. See the flyer below for a detailed schedule. PreK Grandparents will begin at 8:00 in the Gym. Kindergarten Grandparents will begin at 8:50 in the gym. First Grade Parents will begin at 9:40 in the gym.

DeSoto Ready Start is having Early Childhood Roundup (PreK Registration) in person on April 23, 2026 at 7:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. at the DeSoto Administration Building (399 Jenkins St., Mansfield).

All registration can be completed online beginning February 23. Click the link DeSoto Ready Start Registration.

Deadline for registration is May 31, 2026.

Students must be 4 years old by September 30, 2026 to register for PreK-4 Classes at NDLE. 

You will need the following documents to upload when you register: 

- Child's birth certificate, social security card, and immunization record

- Parent/Guardian's current drivers license, electric bill, 2nd household bill, and last 2 check stubs for all adults in the household (if no Medicaid/SNAP)

For more information, check your child's folder for a flyer from the district office or call Tina Anderson at (318) 270-6416.

 **Completed Ads are due March 5th!!!!!!

Parents, I misread another due date for the yearbook. I apologize for my mistake. My completed pages are due on March 6th so I ask that you have your ads completed or pictures and a message emailed to me by March 5th. 

All yearbook sales are online. Our yearbooks cost $42 with all fees included. Our yearbooks are made with the company Pictavo and managed through Cowen Photography. Our yearbooks will be distributed to students before the last day of school in May 2026. 

If you need help with ordering or have any questions, please email tara.brawley@desotopsb.com.

You can scan the QR code provided in this post or go to the online store with this link https://www.buytheyearbook.com/en/

Business or personal ads may also be purchased on the website. Here are the total prices for business or personal ads.

Quarter page ($26.25)

Half page ($52.50)

Whole page ($105)

Parents can design their own ad on the website or you can send the pictures and a message to tara.brawley@desotopsb.com and I will create an ad for you. 

All orders are due March 31st, 2026. 

Book Fair will be February 6-13. Students will shop during their STREAM/Library enrichment time. They may also shop with their grandparent on Grandparents Day, Friday, February 13. Students can bring cash or parents can set up an eWallet by scanning the QR code above or clicking this link  https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/bf/northdesotolowerelem

The next Booster Club Meeting will be March 11 and Concessions will be March 6. Booster club will also sell concessions at Grandparents Day.

You can email our Counselor, Mrs. Arinder with any questions concerning your child or you can request her to meet with your child by clicking this link. Counselor Referral

This student was nominated by their teacher or other staff member for exhibiting Leader In Me Habits. They received a Leadership Coin that was used to get a book from our book machine. Thank you for being valuable members of your classrooms and great examples for your classmates!

Habit 5: The "Talking Stick" Challenge 🖐️

Last week, we introduced Habit 5: Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood®. This week, we are moving from thinking about listening to practicing it with a fun family challenge!

At North DeSoto Lower Elementary, our Little Griffins are learning that we have two ears and only one mouth for a reason! Habit 5 is all about giving someone else the "center stage" before we take our turn.

The Habit 5 Home Activity: The Magic "Talking Stick"

To help your child practice this at home, try using a Talking Stick (this can be a favorite stuffed animal, a spoon, or a remote control).

The Rule: Only the person holding the object gets to speak.

The Goal: Everyone else must listen with their ears, eyes, and heart until the speaker is finished.

The "Check-In": Before the stick is passed to the next person, the new speaker must start by saying: "So, what I heard you say was..." ### Why This Works This simple game teaches kids (and adults!) two very important skills:

Patience: Waiting for your turn to share your great ideas.

Empathy: Making sure you truly understand your family member's feelings before you add your own.

This Week’s "Little Griffin" Conversation Starter

At dinner or in the car, try asking:

"If you could have anyone in the world listen to one of your stories, who would it be and why?"

Link to Menus on DPSB website

Tuesday, Feb. 10:  mini cinnamon roll, string cheese, peaches, juice or milk

Wednesday, Feb. 11: pancake on a stick, mixed fruit, juice or milk

Thursday, Feb. 12:   banana muffin, yogurt cup, pineapple cup, juice or milk

Friday, Feb. 13: cereal, chesse square, pears, juice or milk

Tuesday, Feb. 10:  teriyaki dunkers, potato chucks, buttered broccoli, carrot sticks, roll, mixed fruit, milk

Wednesday, Feb. 11: steak fingers, mashed potatoes, gravy, green beans, garlic toast, peaches, milk

Thursday, Feb. 12:   hot dog, chili, tater tots, baked beans, pears, milk

Friday, Feb. 13: pepperoni pizza, buttered corn, carrot sticks, applesauce, milk

Are you looking for a spirit shirt to wear with uniform bottoms on Fridays? Buy your spirit shirt here and also support our school! Click the link below.

NDLE Hometown Spirit Shop

All parents and guardians need to download the JCampus Student app. You can download the JCAMPUS App to get easy access to your child's grades, transcripts, and attendance. Click here for instructions => JCAMPUS

Check out the DeSoto Parish Schools Parent Hub for information and resources about our school and the district.

North DeSoto Lower Elementary

2623 Hwy 171

Stonewall, Louisiana 71078

(318) 925-2383

Follow our Facebook page here https://www.facebook.com/ndlittlegriffins/

NDLE Website

Desoto Parish Schools Website