Dalton Public Schools

Paws in Print: A DPS Parent Newsletter

A MONTHLY COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER
A Dalton Public Schools graphic with a bold message in black capital letters: "HELP US PLAN FOR NEXT YEAR—COMPLETE THE TRANSPORTATION FORM!" Centered beneath the text is a large yellow school bus illustration. The background has a clean white center framed by black, red, and white geometric corner accents.

Dalton Public Schools Announces

Transportation Intent Form for 2025–2026 School Year


Dalton Public Schools is launching a Transportation Intent Form to help plan for the 2025–2026 school year, ensuring a smoother and more efficient start to school in August.

All DPS families are asked to complete the Transportation Intent Form, regardless of whether or not their student will be riding the bus.

The form is now available online and must be submitted by June 15, 2025.

Families can access the form here: https://dalton.iad1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_a5irwWXAaMrL5rM or visit our dedicated transportation webpage for more information: https://www.daltonpublicschools.com/page/transportation-intent-2025

Why It Matters:
Completing the Transportation Intent Form is essential to helping the district:

  • Plan safe and efficient bus routes ahead of the new school year.

  • Update student transportation records in Infinite Campus, ensuring accurate information for bus assignments and other important back-to-school communications.

  • Better serve our families by identifying transportation needs early, helping to avoid delays or confusion when school starts.

Without a completed form, students may not be guaranteed a bus assignment for the first day of school. Submitting your information on time will help the district finalize bus routes and ensure every student is accounted for.

Families may submit information for up to four students at a time; if you have more than four students, please submit an additional form.

Dalton Public Schools is excited to be getting ahead of transportation planning this year to make back-to-school smooth and successful for all students and families.

For questions or assistance, please contact your school’s front office or the Enrollment Center at Enrollment@Dalton.k12.ga.us

UPCOMING DPS EVENTS

  • May 5-May 9 - Teacher Appreciation Week

  • May 12 - Board of Education Meeting 

  • May 15 - Summer Learning Kickoff Event

  • May 23 - Last Day of School for Students & Early Student Release Day

  • May 23 - The Dalton Academy and Dalton High Graduation Ceremonies

Save the Date!

A collage graphic announcing graduation ceremonies for The Dalton Academy and Dalton High School. The left side features a smiling graduate walking in a red cap and gown, with others following. The top right shows a group of cheering graduates in red gowns, and the bottom right includes two smiling graduates standing side by side. The Dalton Academy ceremony is listed as May 23, 2025, at 5:00 PM at The Dalton Stadium. The Dalton High School ceremony is the same evening at 8:00 PM at Harmon Field.

Announcements

Flyer for Dalton Public Schools’ Dalton Reads! Summer Learning Kickoff. A smiling young girl is featured at the top reading a book, with smaller images showing students and a teacher engaged in learning. The event is for rising K–1st grade students and includes activities like an ABC calendar guide, video demonstrations, family learning support, on-site childcare, student-led playtime, and summer success strategies. Event details: May 15, 2025, from 5–6 PM at the Mack Gaston Community Center. Contact: ali.finley@dalton.k12.ga.us. The flyer includes the Dalton Reads! logo in the shape of Georgia.

DPS 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

A sleek digital graphic with a dark background featuring the text: "INTRODUCING: CYBER ACADEMY. A flexible learning environment designed to meet the unique needs of today’s students." A stylized red and black laptop illustration sits at the bottom, with tech-themed design elements surrounding it. In the upper-right corner, three glowing red triangle icons arranged as “DDD” add a futuristic touch.

Dalton Public Schools Launches Cyber Academy


Dalton Public Schools is pleased to announce the launch of the Cyber Academy, a forward-thinking flexible learning initiative designed to meet the diverse academic and personal needs of high school students across the district. Offering a flexible and customized approach to education, the Cyber Academy features three distinct programs—Resilience, Elevate, and Apex—each crafted to support student success through a blend of structure, adaptability, and individualized support.

Learn More: Dalton Public Schools Launches Cyber Academy

A celebratory graphic featuring a wrestling-style championship belt with the Dalton Public Schools logo in the center. The belt is flanked by icons of a red book and a graduation cap with a diploma. Bold white and red text above reads: “Teachers: The Undisputed Champions of Learning.” The background features red stage lights and a cheering crowd silhouette.

Undisputed Champions of Learning!

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.

Send a card to your favorite champion!

Celebrate the teachers who go all in for their students every single day. Complete this quick survey to share a message of appreciation, and we’ll make sure it gets delivered straight to your favorite educator.

Let’s show our teachers they’re true Champions of Learning.

A bold red and black graphic featuring the Dalton High School Athletics Hall of Fame logo. The center showcases a stylized white and red wildcat head inside a black shield outlined in white. The text "DALTON HIGH SCHOOL" arches across the top, "ATHLETICS" appears below the wildcat, and "HALL OF FAME" is prominently displayed in large white letters on a black ribbon banner at the bottom. The background is textured red with small decorative white star elements on either side.

Support the Legacy of Dalton High School Athletics – Join the Hall of Fame Initiative


Dalton High School is calling on its proud athletic alumni to help preserve and grow a tradition more than 100 years in the making. Following the successful unveiling of the inaugural Athletic Hall of Fame class on October 29, 2024, the school is launching a fundraising initiative to support the Hall of Fame’s continued success and sustainability.

Read More: Support the Legacy of Dalton High School Athletics – Join the Hall of Fame Initiative

A colorful flyer promoting Dalton Public Schools’ DaltonReads! Summer Book Giveaways. A smiling young girl holding several books stands in the center. The event promises free books and reading adventures, with bold text: “ADVENTURE AWAITS: PICK UP A FREE BOOK WITH DaltonReads!” Dates and locations include:  June 12 at Mack Gaston Community Center  June 19 at Civitan Park  June 26 at Westwood School  July 10 at Beechland Round House  July 17 at Veterans Park  All events run from 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM.

Books, Smiles & Summer Adventures Await!

Dalton Reads! is hitting the road this summer to bring FREE books and BIG smiles to our community’s young readers! Swing by one of our Summer Book Giveaway stops and let your child pick out a book (or two!) to spark their imagination and keep the pages turning all summer long.

Catch us at these fun-filled locations — same time, every time: 11:30 AM–12:30 PM!

📍 June 12 — Mack Gaston Community Center
📍 June 19 — Civitan Park
📍 June 26 — Westwood School
📍 July 10 — Beechland Round House
📍 July 17 — Veterans Park

Let’s turn the summer into a story-filled adventure!

A digital graphic featuring a smartphone mockup with a white screen and black frame. At the top, the Dalton Public Schools logo is displayed, consisting of a red geometric design with the organization's name in black text. Below the logo, there is a continuous line drawing of various school-related items, including scissors, a wallet, a notebook, and a backpack. The main message in bold black text reads, 'Help us meet their needs!' Below, smaller black text instructs viewers to 'Download the Purposity app to help meet the needs of real students in our community.' The background fades from white at the top to a soft red gradient at the bottom.

Help Us Meet Student Needs!

Did you know? Dalton Public Schools has an app that helps you meet student needs with just a few clicks!

Download the Purposity app at purposity.com/@dpsschools and help meet the needs of this family, and others!

Your support matters more than you know!

A graphic with a red background featuring black circular and dotted design elements. In the center, a white torn piece of paper is pinned to the background with a black pushpin. The text on the paper reads: 'GOOD NEWS!' in bold, uppercase red letters with a black outline, followed by 'in' in smaller red lowercase letters, and 'Dalton Public Schools' in bold black italicized letters.

Good News in Dalton Public Schools

Got News? Is something good happening in your school or your child's school that the community should know about? Do you have good news to share about a class project, school activities, student and staff achievements or interesting people in the district?

We want you to share your Good News with Dalton Public Schools.

Submit a story here: Submit Good News in DPS Schools

SUMMER CAMPS

“Dalton Public Schools Summer Camps – Summer of 2025. A flyer listing various student summer camps with camp names, dates, grade levels, and times. Camps include basketball, tennis, lacrosse, flag football, cheerleading, soccer, softball, volleyball, football, and speed/agility. Camps are scheduled from June 2 through July 23, 2025, and serve students from Pre-K through 9th grade depending on the camp. The flyer notes that registration details can be found at www.daltonpublicschools.com/page/summer-programs. The list includes both school-hosted and community camps, and it will continue to update throughout the summer.”

SUMMER FUN IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER

Check out some of our awesome summer camps happening at Dalton Public Schools! From academic enrichment to creative adventures and 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!

ACCOLADES

Two young performers stand onstage holding glass star-shaped awards and speaking into a microphone. The performer on the right, wearing a patterned vest and gold shirt, gestures enthusiastically while smiling. The performer on the left, dressed in black with lace trim, has an emotional expression of surprise and joy. Stage lighting creates a dramatic and celebratory atmosphere behind them.

Dalton High School Players Win Big at the 2025 Shuler Hensley Awards


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.

READ MORE

A group photo of JROTC cadets from The Dalton Academy in formal military uniforms, smiling and posing together in a classroom. Two adult instructors, one in a black uniform and one in a white shirt with a red lanyard, stand at each end of the group. Behind them are whiteboards with handwritten notes and classroom materials.

Dalton Academy JROTC Maintains Honor Unit with Distinction for Another Three Years

The Dalton Academy Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC) has once again proven its dedication and commitment to excellence by maintaining its prestigious Honor Unit with Distinction (HUD) Gold Star” for another three years during the triennial JROTC Program for Accreditation (JPA) inspection. This recognition, awarded by the U.S. Army Cadet Command, is the highest accolade a JROTC unit can achieve and reflects exceptional performance in leadership, training, and community involvement.

READ MORE

"Two smiling women stand outside in front of a red brick building at City Park Elementary School, holding a framed certificate. The woman on the left wears a pink shirt, and the woman on the right wears a black floral top. A circular school logo featuring a cartoon wildcat and the words "City Park" is mounted on the building behind them.

City Park Elementary School Earns 2024 SSAS Bronze Award for Greatest Gains

City Park Elementary School has been named a 2024 Single Statewide Accountability System (SSAS) Bronze Award winner for Greatest Gains, an honor presented by the Governor’s Office of Student Achievement. This recognition celebrates City Park’s outstanding progress in student achievement and places the school among the top seven percent of schools statewide for academic growth.

READ MORE

MORE NEWS FROM DALTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS

  • Dalton Public Schools Announces Terrence Little as Assistant Principal at Hammond Creek Middle School

  • Dalton Public Schools Names Veronica Sandoval as Technology Security Specialist

  • Dalton High School Players Sweep 2025 Georgia High School Musical Theatre Award Nominations

  • Dalton Public Schools Congratulates Four Students Named 2025 Georgia Scholars

  • Dalton High School Students Named National Merit Scholarship Finalists

  • Dalton Public Schools Hosts Annual Young Georgia Authors Celebration

NOW HIRING IN DALTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS

A promotional hiring graphic for Dalton Public Schools featuring a close-up photograph of a barber giving a haircut to a young male client. The barber, wearing glasses and a black shirt, is using a brush and a blow dryer to style the client's short, neatly trimmed hair. The Dalton Public Schools logo is displayed in the top right corner.  Overlaying the image, a black rectangular banner with white and red text announces: 'Now Hiring: Barbering Instructor – Apply Now.' At the bottom, bold white text states, 'CUTTING-EDGE CAREERS START WITH You!' with 'You!' emphasized in red. The website address 'www.daltonpublicschools.com' is also included."

Dalton Public Schools is Hiring a Barbering Instructor!

Dalton Public Schools is looking for a talented Barbering Instructor to help shape the next generation of skilled professionals! This exciting opportunity allows educators to share their expertise, inspire students, and contribute to career-ready learning programs.

If you have a passion for barbering and a desire to teach, learn more and apply today!

🔗 Learn more here

Looking for other career opportunities?
Explore our other job openings here and join a team dedicated to student success!

The Dalton Public Schools logo featuring a symmetrical geometric design in black and red, resembling a stylized tree or abstract educational symbol. The design includes small red shapes within a black framework. Below the logo, the text 'Dalton Public Schools' is displayed in bold, black, serif font on a white background.

Stay Connected

We are thrilled to announce our new app for mobile phones!

Stay up-to-date with access to events, documents, news from administrators, student stories, and even emergency notifications. 

You can download the app for free on Google Play or Apple App Store.

Android App>>

Apple App>>