DeSoto Trail Elementary

We love our volunteers! From supervising the circulation desk to shelving books, there is always something to do in our media center. Please email desotovolunteers@gmail.com if you are interested in joining our team of volunteers. 

DTES uses the district-adopted Accelerated Reader (AR) reading practice program. This individualized program is an integral part of helping our students become better readers. Reading comprehension is the main focus of AR, and students' progress is tracked by AR quizzes, which they must take independently of any adult help. We do encourage parents to monitor their children's progress using Renaissance Home Connect, which is accessible through your child's ClassLink account.

Accelerated Reader is an individualized program that assigns each student a personalized and attainable reading practice goal. Students who meet their goals are invited to celebrate at school-wide events throughout the year. We have a school-wide goal of reading 20,000 books this school year.

Each year, the Florida Association for Media in Education publishes a list of Sunshine State Young Reader Award-winning books. The current list is attached below. SSYRA-winning books are appropriate for students in grades 3-5.

SSYRA Challenge: students who read at least 12 of the 15 SSYRA books (and pass the associated AR quiz) will earn a spot on the SSYRA field trip! This year, we will take a behind-the-scenes tour of the Challenger Learning Center.

In the media center, people often ask "what books are my children required to read over the summer?"
 
DeSoto Trail does not publish a list of required summer reading each year. Instead, students are encouraged to read books that interest them and keep a summer reading log. Students who read six or more books during the summer are recognized at a celebration at the beginning of the new school year.
 
If you're not sure what to read, one of our favorite book lists is the Sunshine State Young Readers Award-winning books. These books are usually available from our local public library.

Kids Talk is an opportunity for students to reflect on the books they are reading. This event is held several times throughout the school year immediately following the WDTS Morning News show, and it is broadcast throughout the school and published on the school's YouTube channel. Each Kids Talk is based on an SSYRA-winning book. Any student who has read the book can participate in Kids Talk. Watch the videos below from previous Kids Talks.

The WDTS Morning News Show is a student-produced daily video program designed to share school news and highlight student achievements. Fifth grade students staff and produce the show under the direction of Mr. Schubert and Mrs. Dillon. Every fifth grader has an opportunity to participate, with crews rotating through the fifth grade homerooms throughout the year.

WDTS is an avenue to get all Trailblazers on the same page every morning, and kick-starts the daily routine in every classroom. Students anchor every broadcast. Our guidance counselors provide student recognitions throughout the week. Mrs. Keltner and Ms. Keen announce student birthdays and address any current concerns on campus.

Parents and community members can watch WDTS through our YouTube playlist (embedded below).

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