Dora High School
CONNECT
Walker County Schools
Principal: Ms. Paige Abner
Superintendent: Dr. Dennis Willingham
In 2021, Dora High School established the CONNECT program in an effort to re-CONNECT students and faculty following the pandemic. Since then, CONNECT expanded and became a wonderful community connection for students, staff, and the entire school community. Each day of the week, students participated in targeted activities during advisory/homeroom from 9:20 a.m. until 10:00 a.m., designed to promote academic progress, social-emotional health, community involvement, and career development.
Mondays were designated as “A-Day” where advisory teachers met with students for academic audits, fostering accountability and academic growth through grade reviews.
Tuesdays featured PATH lessons, which addressed critical topics such as abuse, drug use, and self-harm, supporting students’ social-emotional well-being. Wednesdays served as the cornerstone of the CONNECT program, featuring guest speakers who inspired students by sharing personal stories and experiences. Thursdays focused on a school-wide “Vocabulary Jam,” aimed at enhancing students’ language skills and vocabulary development. Fridays were known as Bulldog Days, celebrating school spirit and pride through engaging, community-building activities and club participation.
Due to the growth and attention the program received, alumni and community members often reached out to schedule a time to speak to and CONNECT with students. These visits were often geared toward planning for the future, sharing stories of success, and/or providing students with valuable community resources to assist in future endeavors.
