Spring has officially arrived in DeSoto Parish Schools, and summer will be here before you know it.  Students have completed high stakes testing and continue to work hard to improve on their educational journeys.  Just as spring celebrates nature with its beauty, we also celebrate in our schools the accomplishments that have taken place during this school year.

TAP (The System for Teacher and Student Advancement) was implemented in all schools during the 2011-2012 year.  DeSoto Parish, the only Louisiana district fully implemented in TAP, was nationally recognized as the TAP Award of Distinction for 2012.  But more than the national award that was given to the district, our students prospered because of the TAP standards put in place.  No reward could be greater than the learning of our students.  We are excited about the TAP system and will continue the implementation of the TAP system throughout our district.

DeSoto Parish was also recognized by the media on several occasions for advancements in technology.  All of our classrooms are equipped with state of the art technology, including interactive Smartboards and clickers.  Classrooms are equipped with 5 student computers and 1 teacher computer.  The ninth grade iPad initiative using iPads for textbooks, as well as educational applications and research, will be extended to all high school students for the upcoming school year. 

We continually strive for improvement, so that we do not become idle as stakeholders in our students’ future.  Much like Walt Disney once said, “We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we’re curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.”   Educational growth for our students is our ultimate goal in DeSoto Parish, so we must be willing to address challenges in order to provide our students with the greatest opportunities. 

We wish everyone a safe and enjoyable summer.  Please take time to enjoy the beauty of nature that summer brings with your children.  We encourage you to read with your children and partake in meaningful conversations.  Faculty and staff will continue working throughout the summer to prepare for the 2012-2013 school year, so that we can greet your children with the best we have when the doors open on August 6, 2012 for our students.

Walter C. Lee

Superintendent