DHS Newsletter

Dear Deshler Families,

Welcome back, Tigers! I hope everyone enjoyed a restful and enjoyable fall break. We have a short week as we return to campus, and we are officially in the second nine weeks of the school year. Report card grades are now available for all students through the PowerSchool Parent Portal. Please remember that because we follow a block schedule, we are now at the halfway point of our courses, making this an important time for students to check their progress, stay focused, and finish the semester strong.

There is plenty of Tiger action to look forward to this week! Our volleyball team will host the Area Tournament on Wednesday at DHS. Come out and support these girls as they compete for the opportunity to advance to postseason play! We also want to congratulate our Deshler Flag Football team for becoming Region Champions last week after defeating Scottsboro! We are proud of these athletes and their accomplishments.

This Thursday, our varsity football team will host Brooks High School as part of the AHSAA Game of the Week. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. Come early, enjoy the tailgating, and help us pack the stands as we cheer on the Tigers! If you are unable to attend in person, the game will be broadcast on Alabama Public Television (APT).

Looking ahead to next week, the TCS Fall Festival will take place Monday, October 19, from 5:30–7:30 p.m. at Spring Park. Bring the family and enjoy an evening of fall fun, including a costume contest, trunk-or-treat, inflatables, and more!

On Tuesday, October 20, all ninth-grade students will take the PSAT 8/9. Students should bring their Chromebooks to school fully charged and report to the auditorium at 7:50 a.m. for attendance and testing assignments. In accordance with testing guidelines, wireless electronic communication devices are not permitted in the testing room. Students who are absent will make up the assessment when they return to school.

Thank you for your continued support of Deshler High School. As we begin the second nine weeks, let’s continue working together to maintain high expectations, build positive relationships, and help every student reach their full potential.

Mrs. Jessica Byrd
Principal, Deshler High School

It’s great to be a Deshler Tiger!

All ninth-grade students will take the PSAT 8/9 on Tuesday, October 20. Students should report to the DHS auditorium at 7:50 a.m. for attendance before proceeding to their assigned testing rooms.

The PSAT 8/9 is a standardized assessment that measures students’ skills in Reading and Writing and Math. The exam includes multiple-choice and other question types and is administered digitally. Students have previous experience with this assessment, as they took the same exam in both seventh and eighth grades at Deshler Middle School (DMS). This year’s results will help students, teachers, and families monitor academic progress and identify areas for continued growth as students prepare for future college and career opportunities.

In accordance with Alabama State Department of Education testing guidelines, electronic communication devices are not permitted in the testing room. Students who drive may leave their devices a home or store them in their lockers. Any student who arrives at the auditorium with a device will be required to turn it in to administration and will not receive it back until testing is complete.

Once testing is finished, students will return to class for the remainder of the school day. Students will be dismissed at the regular time of 3:00 p.m.

We encourage all students to arrive on time, come prepared to do their best, and take this opportunity to demonstrate their academic growth!

Fall semester course fees and locker fees for the 2026–2027 school year were invoiced to student accounts in My School Bucks on Friday, August 28. Parents can conveniently view and pay these invoices through their MySchoolBucks account. Please use the step-by-step graphic below for guidance on locating your invoice and completing payment. If you have questions about an invoice or payment, please contact the Deshler High School office.

Please note that any invoices dated this summer are outstanding fees from previous school years that have not yet been paid. Fees associated with first semester courses were added to accounts on Friday, August 28, and fees for second semester courses will be added in January.

Please remember that FALL course fees must be paid in full by December 1, 2026. Any fees not paid will be rolled over on the student account to be paid the following semester. Parents should monitor their MySchoolBucks account regularly to stay informed about their student’s fee balance and payment status.

Students will be provided a Statement of Account this week. This will include any owed fees. Payment can be made online trough My School Bucks or cash/check can be brough to the school office or librbary.

Thank you for your patience and understanding as we transition to using My School Bucks for course fees at Deshler High School. We appreciate your support as we work to make the fee payment process more convenient for our families.

Tiger fans, mark your calendars! Deshler will take on Brooks High School this Thursday at 7:00 p.m. as part of the AHSAA Game of the Week. The game will be broadcast live on Alabama Public Television (APT), giving fans the opportunity to cheer on the Tigers from home. Let’s show our Tiger pride and support Deshler football!

Join us for the TCS Fall Festival on Monday, October 19, from 5:30–7:30 p.m. at Spring Park! There will be fun for all ages, including a costume contest, trunk-or-treat, a haunted train ride, inflatables, and much more. Bring the family, wear your favorite costume, and enjoy an evening of fall fun with our Tuscumbia City Schools community. We hope to see you there!

Spring musical auditions are coming up! Auditions are open to all Deshler students grades 6-12. See Mrs. Kennington for more information.

Deshler High School is excited to partner with Rescue Me Project of Sheffield, Alabama, to host Level Up, a school-wide assembly on Friday, October 23! This dynamic presentation is designed to empower and inspire students to make positive choices and recognize the impact they have on others. Students will be challenged to level up by encouraging those around them, navigating peer pressure, and making constructive decisions that support their personal growth and future success. We are excited to provide our students with this meaningful opportunity to build confidence, strengthen character, and make a positive difference in their school and community!

PowerSchool Parent Portal is NOW OPEN!

Parents, stay connected to your student’s grades, attendance, and assignments through the PowerSchool Parent Portal.

District Code: KRBK

Parents of new students and parents who have never had a PowerSchool account were sent an email with their username and password information today.

Get connected!

To help us follow Alabama State and USDA guidelines, Deshler High School will enforce the Competitive Foods, Healthy Snack Standards, and Vending Machine policies.

For parents and students, the key points are:

• No food or drink deliveries will be accepted at the DHS front office.

• If a student forgets his or her lunch, a parent may bring the student a lunch in a lunch box.

• Fast food, restaurant meals, tea bombs, specialty drinks, or other food and drink deliveries will not be accepted.

• Foods and beverages with advertising from outside vendors may not be brought into the cafeteria during breakfast or lunch.

• Food may not be sold or distributed in competition with the school’s breakfast or lunch programs.

These guidelines help DHS remain in compliance with USDA requirements and Alabama State Board of Education policies while protecting our school meal programs.

Thank you for helping us follow these guidelines and for supporting a safe, consistent school environment for all students.

Parents or guardians shall send a note of explanation, i.e., court notes, doctor's notes, or parent excuses to the school the day the child returns to school or within three (3) days of the absence explaining the cause of the absence. Failure to provide a documented cause will result in the absence being counted as unexcused. Check-outs and check-ins shall be considered as an absence for the classes missed.

Students in grades 9-12 are permitted 5 parental excused absences per semester.

Excuses can be emailed directly to Mrs. Tubbs, Attendance Secretary at atubbs@tuscumbia.k12.al.us. You may also can the QR code to the right to email her directly.

Trips are NOT an excused absence and MUST be pre-approved by Mrs. Byrd.

If your family is planning a vacation during the school year, please review the Vacation Planning Guide before making travel arrangements. Careful planning can help minimize the amount of instructional time your student misses.

Because Deshler High School operates on a block schedule, missing one class period is equivalent to missing two instructional days in a traditional schedule. Even a few days away can have a significant impact on learning.

Please remember that all vacations and trips during the school year must be pre-approved by Mrs. Byrd. Trips that are not approved in advance will be recorded as unexcused absences.

STUDENTS can support the their classmates all year long with the Deshler Student Athletic Pass!

STUDENT Admission to ALL regular season home games
All sports included!

Purchase your pass today on GoFan and never miss the action. Cheer on your classmates, represent Deshler, and help create an incredible home-field advantage!

TCS is pleased to offer a Senior Citizen Discount Card to Deshler Tiger fans who are 62 years of age or older. The cost of the card is $125 and can be purchased at the Tuscumbia Board of Education with cash, check, or card. A driver's license is required for age verification. This card will grant entrance to all Tuscumbia City Schools regular season, home sporting events for the 2026-2027 school year. Reserved seating is not included with this pass.

Please note there is a clear bag policy in place for events held Deshler High School and Deshler Middle School. Information can be found below in the graphic.

Educating every student today...preparing every student for the opportunities of tomorrow.

Principal: Mrs. Jessica Byrd

Email: jbyrd@tuscumbia.k12.al.us
Location: 200 North Commons Street East, Tuscumbia, AL, USA
Phone: 256-389-2910

Website: https://dhs.tuscumbia.k12.al.us/