School Starts September 08, 2020

Aug. 7, 2020

Dear DeSoto Private School Parents:

According to Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, the decision to open and close schools is up to local private school leaders.  In accordance with other Dallas County schools and guidance from the Dallas County Health Department, Desoto Private will begin in-person classes on September 8^th.  We understand that families may have concerns and questions as we go into the new school year.  Please be assured we are working very hard to ensure a safe and healthy learning environment for our students, their families, and our staff.  

DeSoto Private School has remained open since March to provide essential day care services to our community. Starting in April, teachers and staff began making major renovations in our building including structural changes to optimize social distancing measures.  We have cleaned out cabinets and shelves, cleaned and sorted toys and supplies, scrubbed and painted walls, and reorganized rooms.  

To support our daily cleaning and sanitizing routines, we purchased an electrostatic sprayer which is used daily to disinfect all high touch surface areas.

Our summer camp began in May and has been very successful.   Fun and entertaining “in-house” activities have given our children the chance to socialize, exercise, and be creative, all the while learning to social distance and practice good hygiene!  We will continue our summer camp (available at a daily rate) through Friday, September 4^th.  

We are carefully monitoring the current COVID-19 reports and recommendations from the CDC, our local health authorities, the TEA, and the Texas Private Schools Association.  We are committed to the safety of our students and we will post updates on our Facebook page and school website as they become available.

Enclosed in this packet, you will find a detailed COVID-19 safety protocol for the 2020-2021 school year.  Please read and review the protocol.  If you have any questions, we highly encourage you to call Mrs. Kelle Lowe, and she will be happy to answer them.   Please understand, that as conditions change in our community, the protocol may have to be adjusted.  

Also enclosed are supply lists for 1^st -6^th grade students.   Supplies need to be delivered to school by Thursday, September 3^rd.  Please see supply list for specific labeling directions. (For safety reasons, students will not share supplies this year.)  

We are hopeful that our students will participate in our in-person educational program.  However, we will offer a distance learning option with curriculum packets for parents and students who would like to follow our learning schedule, but prefer to stay at home. 

Due to social distancing guidelines, we have limited positions available for students in our Fall program.  If you have not secured your child’s place in our program, we recommend that you do so at your earliest convenience.  Again, if you have questions about the program, we will be happy to answer them.

We look forward to getting our teachers and children back into the classroom.  In the meantime, please take care and be safe! 

Thank you!!!

Tamera Ashford
Executive Board Chairperson