
This Week @ DHS
Stakeholder Edition: August 6, 2023

Principal Principles
The start of a new year.
The start of a new year brings many changes. This year is no exception. Demopolis High School welcomes eleven new faculty and staff members (you can read about them below). This year we are also excited to unveil completely renovated bathrooms. Crews have been hard at work all summer to ensure our students have outstanding restroom facilities to begin the new year. In addition to the bathroom remodel, a new front entrance with secure access is being constructed. This entrance further secures the school building.
With progress, there are growing pains. While the restroom project will be completed for the student's return, the front access will not. Therefore, we will alter the pick-up and drop-off procedures for the first few weeks of school. All students will be dropped off and picked up in the back of the school. Please see the diagram. All cars will turn right at the first turn on campus. If you drop off a student, please move into the left lane. This will allow through traffic for our faculty and staff, and students that drive to school. Coach Moody and Sgt. Bonner will help to direct traffic in the mornings. The same routes will be used for pick-up in the morning.
An additional change is this newsletter. The Tiger Ambush did not go away, it is linked below. My hope is to be able to provide additional information that isn't compatible in a one-minute video. I hope this will be beneficial. I certainly welcome any feedback.
Thank you for your patience as we work diligently to improve the security and safety of Demopolis High School. I am excited to see the students on Tuesday!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Gantt, Principal
Welcome to our new staff members
Stephen Clements
Coach Stephen Clements is from Brent, Alabama. He graduated from Marion Academy and played college baseball at Wallace Community College in Selma. He received his Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education, Master's degree in Physical Education, and Education Specialist degree in Administration, all from Grand Canyon University. Clements has coached for 20 years. Coach Clements is married to April, teaching 3rd grade this year at US Jones Elementary, and they have two children and one granddaughter.
Brad Daniels
Brad Daniels will teach English this year. He returns to DHS after three years at the University Charter School. Brad is married to Nurse Brandy Daniels. He will be the assistant Men's Soccer coach.
Justin Holloway
"I am very passionate about history and government. Especially concerning the formation of the United States and the era of the First World War. I have been to many battlefields, to include Gettysburg, and many monuments and famous places (like presidential libraries and the White House). I hope to share my passion and experiences in a way to have engaging classes that provide a rich experience for my students on the American experience."
Meggin Mayben
"I am Meggin Mayben, wife of Robert Mayben and mother to Sam and Maddie. This is my nineteenth year of teaching. I have taught history, art, broadcast media, computer science and yearbook. I will be teaching CTE Education and Training at DHS and STEM at DMS, as well as managing Public Relations for the system. My family and I are excited to be back home at DCS!"
Chandler McCrory
Chandler will teach English 10 and 11. She is a Demopolis High School graduate and completed her internship at DHS.
Andrew Patterson
Coach Patterson is a Demopolis graduate. He most recently taught at Hale Co. He returns to his alma mater to teach math, coach football and track.
Catrina Perkins
Catrina Perkins is a mom of three, two daughters, one son, and one granddaughter. She is also blessed with a godson. She attends First United Baptist Church. She loves spending time with her family and really loves working with kids. She is looking forward to a great school year at Demopolis High School as a member of the CNP team.
Montez Shipman
Montez Shipman comes to DHS after teaching/coaching at Aliceville High School. Coach Shipman will teach History. He is the Head Women's basketball coach and a football assistant.
Leslie Spiller
Mr. Spiller will be the ACCESS lab facilitator at Demopolis High School. He is no stranger to DHS as he has been a substitute for several years. He is married to Mrs. Traci Spiller, a DHS math teacher.
Lance Tucker
Lance Tucker is the new Head Football Coach and Athletic Director at Demopolis High School. Lance is married to Amy Tucker. They have two children, Walt and Kyndall.
Luke Tucker
Luke Tucker will teach Physical Education. He coaches football and is the strength and conditioning coach for Tiger Athletics
Pick up and Drop Off Routes
DHS pick-up and drop-off routes have changed due to the construction on the front entrance. Please note that ALL students will be dropped off and picked up at the back of the school. If you drop a student off, please remain in the LEFT lane. Car drivers and faculty/staff will use the right lane.
Fall Bell Schedule
Demopolis City Schools Academic Calendar 23-24
The More You Know
Senior Updates on Remind
Class of 2024 students and parents can join a Remind group to keep up to date with scholarships, deadlines, senior information, and graduation requirements with this app from Mrs. Miller. Follow the instructions in the graphic to join.
Senior Sunrise
DHS Class of 2024 will meet at the DHS Practice Field at 6:00 am to watch the sun rise over the DHS campus. Bring a blanket and your friends. Breakfast will be served. A class picture will be taken at 7:00 am.
Peer Helper Applications
Peer Helper applications for the 2023-24 school year will be available at registration and online. Applications are due to Mrs. Rebecca Pipkins in room B-2, by Friday, August 11, 2023.
Click this link for the application:
Community Service Endorsement
Freshmen interested in beginning work toward the Community Service Endorsement Diploma Program should stop by Mrs. Spiller's room (D-1) for an information packet. This is a great opportunity to help your community and gain community service hours for your college scholarship resume.
Tiger Arts Guild Presents: Little Women
The Tiger Arts Guild presents Little Women, Sept. 21-24. Rehearsal will be held Aug. 8 from 3:30-4:30 in the DHS Auditorium.
2023-24 DHS Volleyball Schedule
Please note: Home games are in blue, Away games are in grey.
Quarterback Club meeting
The next quarterback club meeting will be held Aug. 7th at 5:30 pm in the DHS auditorium. Everyone is welcome.
Work Day at Tiger Field
Come join quarterback club members, DHS football staff and players for a work day at Tiger Field on Aug 12 at 7:00 am. You are encouraged to bring cleaning supplies, weed eaters, edgers, blowers and other yard tools.
Tiger Night
Come out to DHS stadium on Aug 15 for Tiger Night. Meet the Tigers from youth league to Varsity. Also, see a sneak preview of the River City Blue Halftime performance.
Quarterback Club Drawdown Information
The qb club annual drawdown will be held on Aug. 18th at the Demopolis Civic Center. Please see a player, coach, or qb club member for a ticket.
Important Upcoming Dates
Important dates
Aug. 4 11-12 Grade Schedule Pick up 9-11:30
Aug. 4 10th Grade Schedule Pick up 1:30-3:00
Aug. 7 Freshmen Orientation 1:00-2:30
Aug. 7 Quarterback Club Meeting 5:30 pm
Aug. 8 First Day of School (classes begin at 7:50 am)
Aug. 11 Senior Sunrise 6:00 am
Aug. 11 Peer Helper Applications due
Aug. 12 Tiger Stadium Work Day 7:00 am
Aug. 15 Tiger Night
Aug. 18 Quarterback Club Drawdown 6:00 Pm
Aug. 24 DHS Volleyball TriMatch vs. Hale Co. and UCS Time TBA
Aug. 24 Football Kick-off Pep Rally-On the Square downtown Demopolis
Aug. 25 Football at ACA (Tuscaloosa 7:00 pm)
Aug. 26 Varsity Volleyball @ Prattville Christian Tournament
Aug. 29 JV Volleyball vs. Jackson (H) 5:30 pm
Aug. 31 Varsity Volleyball Area Tri-Match @ Montgomery Academy Time TBA
Sept. 4 Labor Day (No School)
Sept. 5 Data Day (No Students)
Sept. 7 Progress Reports
Sept 21-24 Tiger Arts Guild Presents: Little Women
Sept. 25-30 Homecoming Week: Theme: Blockbuster
Tiger Ambush Video
FAFSA information
Did you know?
In 2022, Alabama became the fourth state in the nation to require that high school seniors complete the FAFSA application, as graduation requirement.
What is FAFSA? The Free Application for Federal Student Aid. The application opens on Oct. 1. each year. The US Department of Education uses the FAFSA form to determine financial aid award eligibility for all college students. Federal financial aid includes federally funded student loans, Pell Grants, and work-study jobs. Because federal funding is first come, first served, completing the FAFSA as soon as possible is vital.
Mrs. Miller will send out more information on FAFSA to all seniors in the coming months.
Attendance Matters
Did you Know?
A student who is chronically absent any year between grades 8 and 12 is more than 7 times more likely to drop out? Attendance Matters!