As we near the first early release date of the 23-24 school year, we would like to share with you some essential and informational items to help this set of procedures run smoothly.
Each campus will have a set early release dismissal time on the days previously identified on the board-approved DeSoto ISD 23-24 academic school year calendar located on our district website.
On Early Release days, the following expectations should be met by students:
- Students should arrive at their campus according to their regular schedules and transportation modes.
- Students should NOT bring backpacks to campus; small clutch-style bags are permitted as detailed in the uniform policy
- Students should be in the approved district uniform dress code attire unless otherwise directed by campus or district leaders.
- Students who are actively participating in extracurricular activities should confirm the campus early release expectations with your program leaders and parents.
Parents, please note the following regarding early release days:
- Attendance will be taken as normal throughout the day and all students who are not present according to the policy will result in an unexcused absence.
- Pick-up for your child should be pre-arranged to accommodate the adjusted schedules as there are no campus after-school programs in progress onsite at this time.
- While the district will ensure that all authorized daycare transportation services receive the early release schedule and district calendar, please ensure that you confirm the transportation adjustment for your child directly with the service provider.
- Breakfast on the campus will align with the regular campus procedures, however, in an abbreviated format specific to each campus the child nutrition department will ensure all students receive lunch before being dismissed from the campus.
- If your child currently rides the bus to and from school, please note that school buses will be in service and available at the regular arrival and adjusted dismissal time to ensure the safe transportation of your child to and from our campuses.
- Parents of students who are actively participating in extracurricular activities such as athletics, fine arts, etc., should confirm the early release schedule with your child’s program coordinator and also have a clear contingency plan in place.
DeSoto ISD campus and teaching staff, please adhere to these expectations:
- Please ensure that attendance is completed accurately and timely before the dismissal of the school day
- Prepare academic-focused lessons and activities that accommodate the no backpack adjustment given that students will not have Chromebooks and other district-issued devices.
- Please be vigilant during dismissal to ensure that all students depart campuses timely, safely, and are not left unattended.
- Check the facilities to ensure the campus is clear before staff departure and report all anomalies to the appropriate leadership as directed in the campus student, safety, and security plans.
This year, the DeSoto ISD Board Approved Calendar Early Release Dates are as noted below:
- November 17
- December 19
- January 12
- March 8
- May 24
For the 2023-24 school year, the early dismissal start and ending times are noted below:
- 7:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. - DeSoto High School, DeSoto HS- Freshman Campus
- 7:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. - DeSoto Alternative Education Program
- 7:45 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. - Amber Terrace Early Childhood Learning Center
- 8:00 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. - Cockrell Hill, Woodridge Elementary, The Meadows and Frank Moates
- 8:00 a.m. - 12:45 p.m. - Katherine Johnson Technology Magnet Academy, Ruby Young Personalized STEAM Academy
- 8:30 a.m. - 12:45 p.m. - DeSoto West Middle School, Curtistene S. McCowan Middle School
For questions or additional information, please contact the campus administrative team.