Dalton Public Schools -

SOARING TO NEW HEIGHTS: Please join us in congratulating Lily Bearden, Class of 2025, on completing her first solo flight out of Calhoun Airport (CZL) this past week! Lily has been flying alongside her father since 7th grade and officially began pursuing her pilot’s license this February. Now, after completing her solo flight, she’s cleared to take to the skies solo in her plane — affectionately named "Dorthy" — a Grumman AA-1 decked out in none other than DHS colors! She’ll continue logging flight hours toward earning her Private Pilot’s License before heading off to college this fall. We couldn’t be prouder of this high-flying Catamount!

Happy School Communicators Day! At Dalton Public Schools, we’re incredibly proud of our team of school communicators who go above and beyond each day! Not only do they shine in their regular roles, but they also serve as dedicated Webmasters and Publicists, ensuring our families stay informed and connected. Whether it’s highlighting student success, sharing school events, or showcasing the everyday magic happening in our classrooms — they make it happen! Help us celebrate this awesome team: Keri Dixon — Hammond Creek Middle School Beth Mashburn — Dalton Junior High School Amanda Triplett & Julia Cagle — The Dalton Academy Melanie Patrick — Dalton High School Ashley Grycz, Jack Kersey, & Kendra Pannell — Dalton Public Schools Thank you for your creativity, dedication, and for telling the stories that make DPS shine!

Happy School Communicators Day! At Dalton Public Schools, we’re incredibly proud of our team of school communicators who go above and beyond each day! Not only do they shine in their regular roles, but they also serve as dedicated Webmasters and Publicists, ensuring our families stay informed and connected. Whether it’s highlighting student success, sharing school events, or showcasing the everyday magic happening in our classrooms — they make it happen! Help us celebrate this awesome team: Anna Collins — Blue Ridge School Emily Carpenter — Brookwood School Hannah Talley — City Park School Mary Carlson — Park Creek School Jerre Leonard & Emily Elliott — Roan School Gaby Hefner — Westwood School

It’s officially Senior Spotlight season, and we couldn’t be more proud to shine a light on some of our soon-to-be graduates! Today we’re featuring Dalton High School graduate, Cristobal Marquez. As a Dalton High School Student Cristobal has been the National Honors Society President, Marching Band Drum Major, National Beta Club Vice President, and a HOSA officer among other things. He will be attending the University of Southern California as a Pre-Med student, aiming to become a doctor. Way to go!

Huge congratulations to our Park Creek Cheetahs for placing 1st out of 57 teams in the regional Stock Market Game. In just 10 weeks, they turned a simulated $100,000 into $108,931.63—an impressive gain of nearly $9,000. The Stock Market Game is an online simulation that introduces students in grades 4–12 to investing, economics, and personal finance, helping prepare them for financially independent futures. Great job, Cheetahs!

It’s officially Senior Spotlight season, and we couldn’t be more proud to shine a light on some of our soon-to-be graduates! Today we’re featuring The Dalton Academy graduate, Angelina Angelats. Angelina participated in soccer, volleyball, flag football, basketball cheerleading, the translation academy, the Big Brother Big Sister program, national honor society, and DECA. She plans to pursue nursing in college so she can help other people. Way to go!

🚍 Help Us Plan for Next Year—Complete the Transportation Form! Dalton Public Schools is planning bus routes for the 2025–2026 school year, and we need your input! All families—whether your student will ride the bus or not—must complete the Transportation Intent Form by June 15, 2025. Let us know if your student will ride the bus in the morning, afternoon, or both. Students without a completed form may not be guaranteed a bus assignment on the first day of school, so submitting the form on time is important! ⏳ Don’t wait—forms submitted after June 15 could delay your student’s bus assignment. 📲 Complete the form here: https://dalton.iad1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_a5irwWXAaMrL5rM 🌐 Visit our transportation webpage for more details: https://www.daltonpublicschools.com/page/transportation-intent-2025

Dalton Public Schools to Host Summer Learning Kickoff Event May 15, 2025 | 5–6 PM | Mack Gaston Community Center Dalton Public Schools invites families to attend the Summer Learning Kickoff on Thursday, May 15, from 5:00 to 6:00 PM at the Mack Gaston Community Center. This free event is designed for families of rising kindergarten and first grade students. Attendees will learn how to support their children’s learning during the summer months with practical, at-home literacy activities. Families will receive an ABC Summer Calendar, which includes daily ideas to keep young minds engaged using everyday items found at home. Short videos will also be shared to demonstrate how to complete activities from the calendar. On-site childcare will be provided. This event is open to all Dalton Public Schools families and community partners. This event is part of DaltonReads!, a district-wide initiative focused on promoting early literacy and building a strong reading foundation for all students in Dalton Public Schools. Read more: DaltonPublicSchools.com

Interested in flexible learning options for high school students? Join us to learn more about Dalton Public Schools’ Cyber Academy—a flexible learning experience where students can design their own path to success. 📅 Monday, May 20 🕠 5:30 PM 📍 Dalton High School Media Center: 1500 Manly Street Whether your student needs a self-paced environment or extra support to get back on track, Cyber Academy is here to meet them where they are. Don’t miss it!

Step into the ring and make some noise for our Undisputed Champions of Learning! This Teacher Appreciation Week, we celebrate our educators as the reigning, undefeated title holders in education—dedicated, relentless, and always fighting for student success. 🎉💪 Let’s show them the appreciation they deserve!

It’s officially Senior Spotlight season, and we couldn’t be more proud to shine a light on some of our soon-to-be graduates! Today we’re featuring Dalton High School graduate, Owen Witt. Owen played baseball and basketball at Dalton High School, was named as a Scholar Athlete all four years, received the UGA Certificate of Merit, and was invited to participate in the Emerging Civic Leaders program offered by the Center for Civic Engagement in Georgia. He will be attending Berry College, majoring in Exercise Science with a Concentration in Pre-Physical Therapy. Way to go!

The May edition of Paws in Print is HERE! Check out what’s blooming across Dalton Public Schools— 🎉 End-of-year celebrations 📚 Free reading events with DaltonReads! ☀️ Summer camps for all ages Don’t miss the latest from around the district—view the newsletter now! Paws in Print: https://daltonpublicschoolsga.edurooms.com/engage/dalton-public-schools/newsletters/may-2025-newsletter

Today we celebrate our incredible School Lunch Heroes across Dalton Public Schools! 🍎🥪 Thank you for your hard work, dedication, and the care you show our students every day. Your efforts nourish minds and fuel learning — we appreciate you!

Dalton Public Schools honored our youngest learners last night — the Little Cats! The Little Cats graduation was a delightful occasion filled with singing, dancing, and commemorating the children's accomplishments. We would like to thank Early Childhood Coordinator Saira Laruy and her team of exceptional educators who dedicated their time to making the graduation a success. During the event, the Little Cats honored Raquel Cardona who has touched the lives of so many through her 13 years of service to this district program. Raquel’s work has left a profound mark on the youngest learners of Dalton Public Schools. She has not only taught them but loved them. Little Cats is a bilingual, two-generation program designed to educate parents alongside their 3 and 4-year-old children. It focuses on educational strategies including playing, reading, and talking in preparation for Pre-K or Kindergarten readiness.

Save the Date! 🎓 Join us in celebrating the Class of 2025! 📍 The Dalton Academy – May 23 at 5:00 PM | The Dalton Stadium 📍 Dalton High School – May 23 at 8:00 PM | Harmon Field

🍎✨ Golden Apple Award Winner: Ms. Deborah Baker ✨🍎 A few weeks ago, our media partners at WDEF News 12 visited Dalton High School to honor an extraordinary educator — Ms. Deborah Baker — with the Golden Apple Award! Ms. Baker has dedicated her teaching career to making a lasting impact on the lives of her students. She equips them not only with classroom skills, but with the confidence, compassion, and strength they need to thrive in life. Whether in academics or personal growth, she is truly a guiding light. “Teaching to me is a ministry,” says Ms. Baker. “It’s not just reading, writing, arithmetic — it’s the whole scope of things that helps [students] grow personally and emotionally.” Her commitment, kindness, and unwavering support inspire both students and staff every day. 🎥 Click the link below to watch the full Channel 12 feature and hear directly from Ms. Baker, her colleagues, and the students she uplifts: 🔗 https://www.wdef.com/golden-apple-award-deborah-baker-dalton-high-school/ Join us in celebrating this incredible honor — thank you, Ms. Baker, for the heart you pour into our school community!

🌞 Summer fun is just around the corner! Check out some of our awesome summer camps happening at Dalton Public Schools! From academic enrichment to athletic challenges, there’s something for every student to enjoy. 👉 Visit daltonpublicschools.com/page/summer-programs to learn more and register today! You'll also find details about even more DPS camps, programs, and community-hosted summer camps — and keep checking back, because the list will continue to grow throughout the summer!

Brookwood Elementary's 1st grade students recently enjoyed a special visit from author Susan Edwards Richmond, who is currently on a book tour celebrating "The Great Pollinator Count." Richmond spent the day visiting each 1st grade classroom, sharing an interactive reading of the book. She was joined by Becky Griffin, the coordinator of the Great Southeast Pollinator Census and the real-life inspiration behind the book. Their visit brought real-world science into the classroom, sparking curiosity and excitement about the important role of pollinators in our environment.

Introducing the Dalton Public Schools Cyber Academy A new way to learn. A new path to graduation. Now enrolling for the 2025–26 school year through three flexible programs: •Apex: For motivated, academically strong students ready to accelerate their education, graduate early, or explore college and career opportunities at their own pace. •Elevate: For students who are behind in credits or balancing responsibilities like work or family. Elevate offers credit recovery, flexible scheduling, and built-in academic support. •Resilience: A referral-only alternative education program for students in need of a fresh start. Resilience provides a structured, supportive environment focused on personal growth, academic success, and life skill development. Each program offers a personalizedlearning experience—grounded in connection, accountability, and student success. Learn more by visiting our website: https://www.daltonpublicschools.com/o/cas

Happy Administrative Professionals Day! 🌟 Today, we celebrate and appreciate the incredible administrative professionals at Dalton Public Schools. Your dedication, hard work, and attention to detail keep our schools running smoothly every day. From supporting staff and students to ensuring everything behind the scenes is in place, your contributions do not go unnoticed. Thank you for all you do to make DPS a great place to learn and work!