Dothan City Schools

10/01/2026

🎓🐺 High school seniors from across the Wiregrass gathered at Dothan High School today for the annual Henry/Houston County College Fair! Students had the opportunity to meet with representatives from more than 30 colleges and universities, along with several branches of the military, as they explored their options after graduation.

We’re grateful to welcome students from across our area and to our event partners and participating representatives for helping connect them with resources for their next steps! 💙

And don’t forget, Free College Application Week is next week (October 5-9)! 🎓 For more information, visit: tinyurl.com/FreeCollegeAppWeek2026

10/01/2026

The October edition of Inside the Pack is here! This month, we’re looking back at some of the celebrations, achievements, and special moments happening across Dothan City Schools. From Homecoming and attendance celebrations to student accomplishments, statewide recognition, and a brand new playground, there’s plenty to celebrate across DCS!

Read the October 2026 edition of Inside the Pack at https://tinyurl.com/October2026InsideThePack. You can also access the newsletter anytime by visiting dothan.k12.al.us and clicking on the “Inside the Pack”section on our homepage.

One Pack, One Purpose!

10/01/2026

Seniors, enjoy your fall break and don't miss this opportunity!

Be sure to make the most of Alabama's Free College Application Week and submit your college applications at no cost. It's a great time to take the next step toward your future!

Alabama College Application Week is next week, October 5–9!

It’s time to take the next step toward your future! During Alabama’s College Application Week, participating colleges and universities waive application fees, allowing students to apply to college at no cost!

Seniors, take advantage of this opportunity to explore your options, submit your applications, and invest in your future! Your next chapter starts now!

3 Steps to Participate
1. Choose Colleges - Select 4-year universities or community colleges from the official participating list.
2. Apply & Enter Code - Apply on the official college website portal and enter the promo code at checkout.
3. Submit Transcripts - Request your high school counselor to send your high school transcript after applying.

4-Year Universities & Application Fee Waiver Codes:

- The University of Alabama (Automatic via UA portal)
- University of Montevallo (No code needed)
- University of North Alabama (Always free to apply)

For the following institutions use code FALL2026 when applying
- Auburn University (Direct Auburn portal only)
- Samford University (CommonApp & direct portal)
- Troy University (Troy online application)
- University of South Alabama (Enter code at checkout)
- University of West Alabama (UWA online application)
- Faulkner University (Direct online application)

For the following institutions use code ALCA2026 when applying
- University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH online application portal)
- Alabama A&M University (Apply via AAMU portal)
- Alabama State University (Apply via ASU portal)
- Tuskegee University (Apply via Tuskegee portal)

All 24 Alabama Community Colleges are always 100% free applications
- Bevill State Community College
- Central Alabama Community College
- Drake State Community & Technical College
- Ingram State Technical College
- Lurleen B. Wallace Community College
- Northwest-Shoals Community College
- Snead State Community College
- Wallace Community College (Dothan, Selma, & Hanceville)
- Bishop State Community College
- Chattahoochee Valley Community College
- Enterprise State Community College
- Jefferson State Community College
- Marion Military Institute
- Reid State Technical College
- Southern Union State Community College
- Calhoun Community College
- Coastal Alabama Community College
- Gadsden State Community College
- Lawson State Community College
- Northeast Alabama Community College
- Shelton State Community College
- Trenholm State Community College

Important Application Reminders:
- Institutional Portals: Most fee waiver codes apply specifically to individual college website portals (e.g., The University of Alabama and Auburn require applying directly on their site.)
- Transcripts: Request that your high school counselor send your high school transcript after completing your applications.
- Strict Deadline: Applications must be submitted by 11:59 PM CDT on Friday, October 9, 2026

10/01/2026

📚 Dothan City Schools educators are focused, ready to learn, and continuing to strengthen their literacy instruction through LETRS (Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling) professional learning! Today, teachers participated in the first of four face-to-face LETRS training sessions planned for this school year, deepening their understanding of the science of reading and gaining strategies to support effective literacy instruction in the classroom.

This ongoing professional learning supports our educators as they continue building strong foundations in reading for students across DCS. 💙🐺

10/01/2026

🏆📣 CHAMPIONS! Congratulations to Dothan Wolves Cheer on claiming the AHSAA 6A Super South Regional Small Division Championship!

The team is officially STATE BOUND! ❤️🖤🐺 We’re so proud of this achievement and can’t wait to cheer them on at state!

09/30/2026

⭐ Leadership in Action! On Monday, members of the Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council, in partnership with Fearless Leadership Academy, participated in this month’s leadership session focused on “Leading Yourself Before Leading Others.” Throughout the session, students explored self-awareness, accountability and intentional decision-making through interactive discussions, real-life scenarios and leadership reflection. Students considered how their choices impact themselves, others, their schools and their future.

As our students continue their leadership journey with the SSAC, they are developing the skills needed to lead with purpose and positively influence their schools and community. 💙🐺

09/30/2026

🥜🧬 This week, Carver 9th Grade Academy biology students visited the Wiregrass Innovation Center to participate in the Wiregrass Peanut Project with HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology Wiregrass! Students got hands on research experience extracting DNA from peanut plants and exploring how genetics can help researchers develop more drought and disease resistant peanut varieties, giving students a firsthand look at how their work in the lab can contribute to real world agricultural research! 🔬 🥜

09/29/2026

🎉 A new chapter of play begins at Highlands Elementary School! 🛝💙

Students now have a brand-new playground to learn, play, and make memories for years to come. This new space was made possible through the incredible fundraising efforts of the Highlands Elementary PTO, which raised $147,000 through a variety of fundraising initiatives. The celebration included special remarks from Ali Pfister, former PTO president; Dr. Clark Harden, Highlands Principal; Beth Bouchard, former Highlands principal; and Ashley Davis, Dothan City Schools Board of Education Member, District 5.

This playground is more than a new place to play, it’s a wonderful example of what can happen when a school community comes together. We’re grateful to the Highlands Elementary PTO, families, staff, and community members who helped make this new playground possible for Highlands students. We can’t wait to see the many memories made here! 💙

09/29/2026

🐺🎥 DCS Principal Spotlight continues! This week, we’re taking you inside Morris Slingluff Elementary School to hear from Principal Dr. Victoria Washington! Dr. Washington shares how a shift in school culture is creating a welcoming environment for students and families while laying the foundation for strong classroom instruction. From smiling students to parents having a voice at the table, she says the entire school community is working together to create meaningful change.

Take a look inside MSE and hear how Dr. Washington and her team are building a school culture where students, staff and families can thrive! 💙🐺

09/28/2026

The Dothan City Schools Difference Maker campaign recognizes employees nominated by someone at their school for going above and beyond for our students, schools and community.

Our next Difference Maker is Sherry Thweatt, Routing Specialist in the Dothan City Schools Transportation Department! Sherry works behind the scenes to help make sure students safely get to and from school each day. From routing buses and supporting drivers to making sure routes are covered and students have safe bus stops, Sherry brings purpose, care and 100% effort to everything she does.

Thank you, Mrs. Thweatt, for your dedication to student safety, your commitment to our transportation team and your daily efforts to make sure our students get where they need to be. We appreciate you and are proud to call you a Difference Maker! 💙🐺

Stay tuned for our next Difference Maker video!