Dalton Public Schools -

Reminder
📌 Friday, March 13: Early Release Day
📌 Monday, March 16: Virtual Learning Day – Students will complete assignments from home.
We look forward to seeing our students back in class on Tuesday, March 17!

📄 Getting Ready for Pre-K Registration?

Don’t forget to bring required documents, including immunization records, proof of address, and your child’s birth certificate!

📅 Tuesday, March 24 | 7:30 AM – 6 PM
📅 Wednesday, March 25 | 7:30 AM – 4:30 PM
📍 Mack Gaston Community Center
Please bring:
Proof of Immunizations (GA Form 3231)
Eye, Ear, and Dental Certificate (GA Form 3300)
Social Security Card
Birth Certificate
Proof of Address
Medicaid or PeachCare Card (if applicable)
Child must be 4 years old by September 1, 2026.

Dalton Public Schools is proud to announce that Whitney Lusk has been named Dalton High School’s 2024–2025 Teacher of the Year.

Lusk teaches English Language Arts and ESOL at Dalton High School and has been part of Dalton Public Schools since 2015. Dalton Public Schools congratulates Whitney Lusk on being named Dalton High School’s 2024–2025 Teacher of the Year and thanks her for the dedication she shows to students each day.

Read more: https://www.daltonpublicschools.com/article/2757684

During the March 9 Board of Education meeting, Dalton Public Schools recognized student achievements, staff leadership, and community excellence across the district while also celebrating School Board Appreciation Month with a special presentation honoring the Dalton Board of Education.

The Board recognized the Middle School Varsity Basketball Team for earning BGMSAA Runner-up honors, and the Dalton High School Game Day Cheer Team for qualifying for the 2026 State Tournament. The Board also honored Dalton High School senior Angela Ramirez-Ramirez for being named a QuestBridge National College Match Scholar, and student-athletes from Dalton Junior High School and Hammond Creek Middle School who were selected for the Georgia Middle School All-Star Basketball Team.

In addition, the Board recognized Jeff Wells for his leadership in guiding all 10 Dalton Public Schools to earn the Ready Georgia Seal of Preparedness. Students from Dalton High School were also honored for their work featured in the Hunter Museum Teen Art Show, including Giselle Nunez, Aaron Augustine, and Sulema Morales, whose artwork earned recognition and awards.

The Board also celebrated Dr. Steven Craft for being named a 2025–2026 Superintendent to Watch by the National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA).

The Board congratulates all honorees for their dedication, talent, and commitment to excellence in Dalton Public Schools.

Dalton Public Schools is proud to announce two new assistant principal appointments for the upcoming school year.

-Dr. Sarida Hoy has been named assistant principal at Dalton High School. With nearly 30 years of experience in education—including time as a science teacher, department chair, and instructional coach—Dr. Hoy brings a strong commitment to academic excellence and student success.

-Adam Martinez will serve as assistant principal at Hammond Creek Middle School. Martinez brings more than 20 years of experience in education, athletics, and student leadership, along with previous experience as an assistant principal and athletic director.

Superintendent Dr. Steven Craft shared that both leaders bring tremendous experience and dedication to supporting students, educators, and families across the district.

📖 Read more: https://www.daltonpublicschools.com/article/2757816

🐾 Check out the latest edition of Paws in Print to stay up to date on news, events, and celebrations from across Dalton Public Schools!

📖 Read it here: https://daltonpublicschoolsga.edurooms.com/engage/dalton-public-schools/newsletters/paws-in-print-march-edition

This week, we proudly celebrate Board Appreciation Week as we recognize the leaders who help us learn, lead, and succeed every day.

Our Board of Education members truly leave their mark on Dalton Public Schools through their dedication, vision, and commitment to our students, staff, families, and community. We are honored to recognize Board Chair Sam Sanders, Vice-Chair Jody McClurg, Treasurer Tulley Johnson, Manny Meza, Bill Mayo, and Superintendent Dr. Steven Craft for their continued leadership and service.

Thank you for the time, heart, and guidance you invest in ensuring our schools remain a place where everyone can learn, lead, and succeed. Your impact makes a lasting difference.

#DaltonPublicSchools #LearnLeadSucceed #LeaveYourMark

School Social Work Week | March 1–7, 2026 ✨

Our school social workers make a powerful difference every day—connecting students and families to resources, providing compassionate support, and helping remove barriers to learning.

We asked our school leaders to share how their social workers support their school communities. Here’s what they had to say 👇

"Valeria Trujillo has been a great addition to the Dalton Public Schools social worker team. In a very short amount of time, she has earned the trust and respect of the Dalton High School administration, staff, and students. She is conscientious and focused on removing barriers to education for students, and she goes above and beyond to ensure that families in need have access to important community and district resources. Always with a smile, Valeria is dedicated to serving not only the DHS community, but all of Dalton Public Schools. We are truly grateful for her hard work, commitment, and drive to be the very best she can be." - Dr. Robert Shaw, Associate Superintendent of Student Services

⏰ Time to Spring Forward!
Don’t forget to set your clocks ahead one hour tonight.
We may lose an hour of sleep, but brighter days are ahead!

School Social Work Week | March 1–7, 2026 ✨

Our school social workers make a powerful difference every day—connecting students and families to resources, providing compassionate support, and helping remove barriers to learning.

We asked our school leaders to share how their social workers support their school communities. Here’s what they had to say 👇

"Cynthia’s calm demeanor makes her instantly approachable and creates a sense of comfort and reassurance to those around her. She has a remarkable gift for listening—truly listening—so that every voice feels heard and valued. By thoughtfully partnering with families and community agencies, she ensures that each student is supported from every angle. Her steady presence and collaborative spirit help create the kind of environment where every child has the opportunity to grow, succeed, and truly thrive." -BethAnn Browning, Principal of Brookwood

School Social Work Week | March 1–7, 2026 ✨

Our school social workers make a powerful difference every day—connecting students and families to resources, providing compassionate support, and helping remove barriers to learning.

We asked our school leaders to share how their social workers support their school communities. Here’s what they had to say 👇

"Jackie works tirelessly to build strong, trusting relationships with families. She takes time to understand their unique needs and maintains open, consistent communication so that school and home can truly partner in supporting students. Her responsiveness and compassion help families feel heard, valued, and supported. Jackie’s presence enhances our school climate. She fosters a culture of care, empathy, and proactive support that benefits our entire school community. Her dedication and heart for students and families make a lasting difference every day." -Alesa Smith, Principal of Westwood School

📣 Spring Enrollment Event – Dalton Public Schools

Families interested in Out-of-Zone, Out-of-District, or Out-of-State enrollment are invited to attend our Spring Enrollment Event on Thursday, March 26.

Time: 7:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Location: 101 N Thornton Ave, Suite 100

This event is open to:
• Families new to Dalton Public Schools
• Current elementary students requesting a school transfer
• Current high school students in grades 9–11 interested in transferring to another Dalton Public Schools high school

⚠️ Please note: This event is not open to rising 9th grade students.

⚠️ Important: Students currently enrolled in grades K–11 under an approved Out-of-Zone, Out-of-District, or Out-of-State contract do not need to reapply, unless the contract has been revoked. However, Pre-K students currently attending under OOZ/OOD/OOS who wish to enroll in Kindergarten must submit a new application for the 2026–2027 school year.

Learn more: https://www.daltonpublicschools.com/article/2751320

Today, we celebrate the hardworking Maintenance and Operations Team that keeps our schools running smoothly! 🛠️ Thank you for your dedication to creating safe, clean, and welcoming learning environments for our students and staff.

School Social Work Week | March 1–7, 2026 ✨

Our school social workers make a powerful difference every day—connecting students and families to resources, providing compassionate support, and helping remove barriers to learning.

We asked our school leaders to share how their social workers support their school communities. Here’s what they had to say 👇

"Viri positively impacts our students, staff, and overall school environment at The Dalton Academy by building strong relationships, connecting families to critical resources, providing consistent social-emotional support, and helping create a safe, stable, and student-centered culture where every learner feels seen and supported. She rocks!" -Jessica Ashlock, Principal of The Dalton Academy

School Social Work Week | March 1–7, 2026 ✨

Our school social workers make a powerful difference every day—connecting students and families to resources, providing compassionate support, and helping remove barriers to learning.

We asked our school leaders to share how their social workers support their school communities. Here’s what they had to say 👇

"Cynthia Castillo makes a meaningful difference at Park Creek through her calm presence, compassionate heart, and deep commitment to students and families. She builds trusting relationships with students who need extra support, partners with teachers to problem-solve, and connects families to valuable resources. Because of her dedication, students feel safe and valued, staff feel supported, and our school culture reflects the belonging and care we strive to live out each day." -Brandon Headrick, Principal of Park Creek

At Park Creek School, students are celebrating Read Across America Week in the most imaginative way! 📚

Art Teacher Adam Sanford teamed up with Media Specialist Hannah Higgins to transform the media center into cozy “book caves” designed and created by students. Each grade level selected a book theme, and during art class, students brought their caves to life with creative interiors inspired by their chosen stories.

To complete the experience, themed books were placed inside each cave, giving students the perfect spot to dive into a new adventure and celebrate the joy of reading!

School Social Work Week | March 1–7, 2026 ✨

Our school social workers make a powerful difference every day—connecting students and families to resources, providing compassionate support, and helping remove barriers to learning.

We asked our school leaders to share how their social workers support their school communities. Here’s what they had to say 👇

"Viri positively impacts our students, staff, and overall school environment in countless ways. She brings a consistently positive presence to campus and is proactive in identifying and meeting the needs of both students and families. Viri works closely with parents to connect them to resources and supports, helping remove barriers that might otherwise impact student success. She is responsive, compassionate, and solution-oriented, which makes her an invaluable partner to our teachers and staff. Her dedication and heart for students have strengthened the entire DJHS community." -Spencer Gazaway, Principal of Dalton Junior High

School Social Work Week | March 1–7, 2026 ✨

Our school social workers make a powerful difference every day—connecting students and families to resources, providing compassionate support, and helping remove barriers to learning.

We asked our school leaders to share how their social workers support their school communities. Here’s what they had to say 👇

"Anahi has a meaningful and lasting impact on our students, staff, and the overall climate at Roan. She works tirelessly to support students and families, often going well beyond what is required to ensure their needs are met. Whether she is connecting families to resources, providing direct support to students, or helping staff problem-solve challenging situations, she approaches every interaction with care and professionalism. Her steady, positive presence helps students feel safe and supported, which allows them to focus on learning. She builds trusting relationships with families and serves as a bridge between home and school, strengthening our sense of partnership. For staff, she is a reliable and compassionate collaborator who is always willing to listen, offer guidance, and step in wherever she is needed. Anahi’s commitment, empathy, and willingness to help in any situation truly strengthen our school community and contribute to a supportive, student-centered environment." -Anne Fetzer, Principal of Roan School