Dalton Public Schools -

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!

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!

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!

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!

Dalton High School Players Win Big at the 2025 Shuler Hensley Awards, Two Seniors to Represent Georgia at National Jimmy Awards in NYC The Dalton High School Players took center stage at the 2025 Georgia High School Musical Theatre Awards — known as the Shuler Hensley Awards — earning five major awards, multiple student scholarships, and national recognition in a night that celebrated the best in high school theatre across Georgia. Held at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre and modeled after Broadway’s Tony Awards, the Shuler Awards recognize outstanding achievement in high school musical theatre. The DHS Players’ production of Hadestown: Teen Edition received 12 nominations, and the cast, crew, and directors certainly delivered. By the end of the evening, the DHS Players had earned the following awards: Best Ensemble – Dalton High School Players Scenic Design – Matthew Sane (DHS Art Teacher) & Alana Sane (DHS Drama Teacher) Direction – Alana Sane Leading Actor – Hayden Poe (DHS Senior) Leading Actress – Kinsley Stephens (DHS Senior) Read more! https://www.daltonpublicschools.com/article/2159799 Photo Credit: Photo by Ben Rose/www.BenRosePhotography.com

The Dalton Academy JROTC Earns Top Honors Again! We’re proud to announce that The Dalton Academy’s JROTC program has once again achieved the Honor Unit with Distinction (HUD) Gold Star — the highest rating awarded by the U.S. Army Cadet Command — following a rigorous triennial inspection! This elite recognition is a testament to the cadets' discipline, teamwork, leadership, and unwavering dedication to excellence in training and service. “Earning and maintaining the HUD is not easy—it takes discipline, teamwork, and a genuine passion for leadership and service,” said CPT (R) Bill Jinright, Senior Army Instructor. Cadet Battalion Commander Sergio Diaz added, “It’s more than just a yellow star—it shows how determined and hardworking the team is, even in the face of difficulties.” Congratulations to our incredible cadets and instructors! Your hard work and resilience continue to make The Dalton Academy proud. 🔗 Read more about this honor and the cadets’ journey here: https://www.daltonpublicschools.com/article/2158964

Caitlin Autry Named The Dalton Academy’s Teacher of the Year Dalton Public Schools is proud to recognize Caitlin Autry as The Dalton Academy’s Teacher of the Year. A passionate science teacher and dedicated educator, Autry brings energy, innovation, and heart to everything she does—both inside the classroom and beyond. Autry says her desire to become a teacher began at an early age. “My earliest memory as a child growing up was my desire to be a teacher,” she shared. “My mom was a teacher, and I grew up watching her as she would prepare for school each year. I wanted to be a teacher in every sense of the word.” Read more on our website! DaltonPublicSchools.com