City Park School

The Panther Press

Safety Drills

At Dalton Public Schools, safety is always our top priority, and we’re excited to share with you how we’re continuing to create a secure environment for all our students. As part of our ongoing commitment to safety, we’ll be conducting drills throughout the school year to prepare for a variety of situations. These drills are designed to keep both students and staff ready for anything—whether it's a lockdown, fire drill, severe weather event, or evacuation.

We believe that preparedness is key to building a safe school environment. By practicing these drills without advance notice, we can ensure that everyone is able to respond confidently and effectively, no matter what comes our way.

Here’s a quick look at some of the drills we’ll be conducting:

  • Lockdown Drills to help us practice staying safe during an intruder scenario.

  • Fire Drills so we can evacuate quickly and safely if needed.

  • Severe Weather Drills to prepare for extreme weather conditions like tornadoes.

  • Evacuation Drills to practice leaving the building efficiently for any emergency.

We’re proud of the steps we’re taking to keep our schools safe and secure! If you’d like to learn more about our safety measures, feel free to visit our website to learn more about safety and security in Dalton Public Schools. We appreciate your continued support in keeping our school community safe and prepared.

If you have any questions or concerns, we’re always here to help.

Title I Meeting/Open House Graphic

Family Literacy Night

We’re excited to invite all families to our Family Literacy Night on Thursday, September 18th from 5:30 to 7:00 PM! 🎉

This fun-filled event includes:
✨ Family-centered literacy activities
✨ A chance to view student work
✨ Informational areas about school and district initiatives

Be sure to stop by our Rooms Communication area, where you can:
🔹 Learn about Rooms, our new two-way communication tool
🔹 Get one-on-one help
🔹 Update your contact info with the district enrollment center

And don’t miss Mr. D’s art installation celebrating International Dot Day! 🎨 It’s a great opportunity to see the creativity of our students!

We can’t wait to see you there!

Title I Meeting

We’d like to invite you to our Title I Parent Meeting on Thursday, September 18th! 🗓️

Title I is a federal program designed to provide additional resources and support to ensure every student has the opportunity to succeed. This meeting is a great opportunity to learn more about how Title I benefits our school and how we can work together to support your child's education! 🌟

Details:
📅 Date: Thursday, September 18th
⏰ Time: 5:00 - 5:30 PM
📍 Location: Auditorium


We hope to see you there! Your participation makes all the difference.

Supporting Our Students Through Fundraisers

Throughout the year, our school will host a variety of fundraisers connected to different grade levels and programs. The funds raised will directly support field trips and other hands-on educational experiences for our students. We appreciate your support in helping us provide these enriching opportunities that extend learning beyond the classroom.

5th Grade Spirit Shop Fundraiser
Our fifth graders are excited to kick off a Spirit Shop fundraiser! Students will have the chance to purchase fun spirit items—such as pom-poms, bandanas, tattoos, and noisemakers—for just $1 each.

The shop will be open just in time for our first PAWS and Applause Pep Session on Thursday, September 19, which will also celebrate RED Out Day in honor of Dalton High School’s Homecoming. Items will also be available for purchase during Family Night on Wednesday, September 18.

Please note: Cash only—small bills requested.

Counseling Corner

Parents and guardians play a huge role in helping kids develop responsibility.

Here are some tips:

Set clear expectations and routines

Encourage children to manage their own homework and chores

Praise effort and consistency, not just results

Allow kids to experience natural consequences in a safe way

Model responsible behavior yourself

PAWS with money

Art Department Fundraiser
Mr. D, our art teacher, is raising funds to support the art department! He will be selling popcorn and Krispy Kreme doughnuts, with both items available for purchase online. All products will be shipped directly to the customer, making it easy to enjoy some tasty treats while giving back to our school.

Mr. D will share more details at our upcoming Family Night on September 18, so be sure to stop by and learn how you can support the arts at City Park!

Beacon Testing

This fall, our students will begin taking DRC BEACON assessments in English Language Arts (ELA) and mathematics. Beacon is a through-year, formative interim assessment system designed to help teachers monitor progress and guide instruction throughout the school year.

  • .K–3 students will participate in DRC BEACON Early Years, which provides important information to monitor growth.

  • Grades 4–5 students will participate in DRC BEACON, which is directly aligned to Georgia standards and helps teachers identify strengths and areas needing more support.

🗓 Testing Dates

  • Grades 4 & 5 Reading → September 10–12

  • Grades 1–5 Math → September 15–17

Beacon is not a high-stakes test—it is a valuable tool that helps teachers better understand student learning and provide the right support at the right time.

Both assessments are flexible, can be given multiple times during the year, and adjust in difficulty to meet students where they are.

Because Beacon uses the same online platform and tools as Georgia Milestones, it also helps prepare students for the end-of-year summative assessment.

✅ To help your child do their best, please make sure they are well rested, eat a healthy breakfast, and arrive on time during the testing window.

Important Dates

September 1--Labor Day Holiday (No School)

September 4--Glee Club Choir Practice Begins

September 10-12--Beacon Testing (Grades 4 and 5 Reading)

September 11--Patriot Day

(Wear red, white, and blue)

September 15-17--Beacon Testing (Grades 1-5 Math)

September 16--Junie B. Jones the Musical

2:00 PM

September 16--Dress Your Best Day

September 17--Constitution Day and Student Council Elections for Grades 4/5

September 18--Title I Meeting/Family Night

5:30-7:00 PM

September 19--Early Release Day

(12:15 PM); No ASP

September 19--PAWS and Applause Pep Session -- RED OUT Day! Wear RED!

9:00 AM

September 19--DHS Homecoming Parade

3:00 PM

September 22--Virtual Learning Day/Georgia Reads Day (complete your work at home)

PAWS at computer

Dot Day Celebration

International Dot Day, celebrated annually on September 15, is a global event that inspires creativity, courage, and collaboration by encouraging people to make their mark on the world. The day is inspired by the children's book The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds, in which a student who doubts her artistic abilities is encouraged by her teacher to "just make a mark". What begins as a small dot transforms into a masterpiece, symbolizing the power of personal creativity.

City Park will observe Dot Day this year on Thursday, September 18. Mr. D, our art teacher, will have an interactive art installation on display at our Family Night so everyone can see the creativity of our students.

There is also a community outdoor photo booth display where students can stop by with their families to take Dot Day photos. This display is now up and ready for use; it is visible from Walnut Avenue near the Walgreens (at the corner of Judd Terrace and Walnut Avenue). The display will be available through September 16--be sure to tag City Park Panthers in your photos!

Dot Day Photo Display