The Dalton Board of Education proudly recognized outstanding students at their Regular Meeting last night. George Marte and Diana Victoriano were honored for being selected to Junior Achievement (JA) of Georgia's inaugural Nineteen Under Nineteen class, a prestigious recognition of young leaders in the state. Additionally, CenCen Wan and Hope Hambrock were celebrated for being named Semifinalists in the 2025 National Merit Scholarship Program, an honor reserved for top academic achievers nationwide. These students' accomplishments exemplify the excellence and dedication found within Dalton Public Schools.
Park Creek School's nature trails just got an exciting upgrade! Dr. Carl Wilms, alongside partners from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, recently installed educational signs provided by the Tennessee Aquarium and the Coosa River Basin Initiative. These new signs will enhance students' outdoor learning experiences for years to come!
Happy National School Lunch Week! 🍎🥪 We are incredibly grateful for our amazing cafeteria staff who work tirelessly to provide nutritious and delicious meals to our students every day. Your dedication ensures our students are fueled for success!
To celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, Officer Herrera and other members of the Dalton Police Department visited Mrs. Cruz's and Mrs. Alvarado's third grade classes at Westwood School, where they read stories in Spanish and enjoyed conchas with the students.
Today, students from Hammond Creek Middle School and The Dalton Academy came together for an inspiring panel discussion with community leaders and educators in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month. Panelists shared how they celebrate their heritage and answered student questions about their cultural pride and the people who inspired them to dream big.
Dalton Public Schools proudly observes World Mental Health Day, recognizing the importance of mental well-being for our students and staff. We are committed to creating a supportive environment where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued.
Students across the district participated in Walk to School Day this morning. Students joined teachers and chaperones in the walk to school! Walk to School Day promotes walking to school as a healthy, environmentally friendly alternative to driving. It also highlights safety for both pedestrians and car drivers.
Fall Break Reminder 🍁 Friday, October 11th is a student holiday and a staff work day. Monday, October 14th is a student and staff holiday. We will see you all back on campus on Tuesday, October 15!
Classroom Spotlight:
In Ms. Rodriguez's Kindergarten class at Roan School, both dual language groups came together for a special session of calendar and part of Number Corner. This skill-building program uses the classroom calendar to help students strengthen their math and language skills.
It was a great way for the students to learn and have fun together while building important skills!
Happy National Coaches Day! Today, we celebrate the incredible coaches who support our students in every aspect of their lives—whether it’s in athletic activities, academic pursuits, or beyond. Your dedication, leadership, and unwavering support make a world of difference. We are truly grateful for everything you do to inspire and guide our students to success!
As we celebrate National Coaches Day, we want to recognize and thank our exceptional instructional coaches who work tirelessly to support our students in the classroom and beyond, providing invaluable guidance to enhance teaching practices and foster student growth.
Their expertise, mentorship, and commitment play a crucial role in our educational community. We are deeply grateful for their contributions and the positive impact they have on our students' success. Thank you for all that you do!
Author Visit Recap!
Earlier this week, we had the privilege of welcoming author Nury Castillo Crawford to several DPS schools, including City Park and Roan School.
Nury shared her journey as an author and how she writes and publishes books in both English and Spanish, starting with stories about her own journey from Peru to America. As the founder of 1010 Publishing, she now helps new and seasoned authors bring their stories to life in a bilingual format.
Thank you, Nury, for motivating our students to chase after their dreams!
📸 Pictured below are Roan School students captivated by Nury's inspiring talk and read aloud of one of her books!
Today, we celebrated a monumental milestone – Westwood School's 50th anniversary!
The school truly went above and beyond, celebrating alongside not only current students and staff, but also former teachers, community leaders, past administrators, and alumni.
Westwood’s current students took pride in decorating the halls, adding a special touch to this momentous day. It was a heartwarming celebration of five decades of learning, growth, and community! 🐾❤️
Has your student participated in an awards ceremony, community service project, or represented their school at an event? Share their achievements and stories with our communications team! Click here: https://www.daltonpublicschools.com/page/dps-parent-resources.
Classroom Spotlight:
Students in Mrs. Mast's math class at Hammond Creek Middle School had a fun and interactive lesson on multiplying fractions using diagrams. The visual approach helped students break down fractions into smaller parts, making it easier to see how they combine and multiply.
Time is running out!
Nominations for the Dalton High School Athletics Hall of Fame inaugural class will be closing soon! Don’t miss your chance to recognize athletes, coaches, administrators, or community members who have made outstanding contributions to our athletics program.
Find more information here: https://www.daltonpublicschools.com/article/1720333
Submit your nomination here: https://dalton.iad1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_5j2jYdXsVXRGugK
Let’s honor those who have left a lasting legacy!
Rosa Martinez Named Teacher of the Year at Blue Ridge School
Blue Ridge School is proud to announce that Rosa Martinez has been named the 2024 Teacher of the Year. Since 2017, Martinez has been a dedicated third-grade teacher at Blue Ridge, where she has consistently inspired a love of learning in her students through her innovative teaching methods and deep commitment to their success.
Martinez’s journey to becoming a teacher is both inspiring and a testament to her resilience and determination. “My parents immigrated to the United States when I was just two years old, and we settled in Dalton because my dad already had a job here,” she shared. Growing up, Martinez attended Dalton Public Schools from kindergarten through graduation. It was in first grade that she discovered her passion for teaching, inspired by her own first-grade teacher. “I knew I wanted to be a teacher since I was in first grade. I was fortunate to have great teachers who furthered my desire to become a teacher as I advanced through the grades.”
Read more on our website!
Happy School Custodian Appreciation Day! 🎉 We are beyond grateful for our dedicated custodial staff who work tirelessly to keep our schools clean, safe, and welcoming for students, staff, and visitors. Your hard work and commitment help create an environment where everyone can thrive. Thank you for all that you do!
Classroom Spotlight:
Mrs. Gillispie's classroom at City Park School recently marked five weeks of learning with a Savaas MyView reading and writing Unit Test. This assessment marked an important milestone as Dalton Public Schools adopted the Savaas MyView curriculum this year as part of the DaltonReads! initiative.
DaltonReads! is a powerful literacy initiative aimed at fostering a culture of reading excellence and empowering every student to unlock their full potential.
Through engaging content and targeted skill development, students in Mrs. Gillispie's class are embracing their journey toward literacy success.
In the vibrant art classroom at Dalton High School, where students are encouraged to explore their creative potential, art teacher Melissa Lambert has been guiding and inspiring young artists for years. This fall, however, Lambert’s own creative talents are on full display as her artwork is showcased at Kennesaw State University’s Zuckerman Museum of Art.
Lambert has been selected as to participate in the Third Biennial Exhibition for Art Educators, titled Playful Encounters, which runs through October 4. The exhibition highlights the personal artwork of pre-K to 12th-grade art educators from the metro Atlanta area, giving the public a rare chance to view the artistic work of those who usually operate behind the scenes, guiding the creativity of others.
The Playful Encounters exhibition invites viewers to experience a variety of artistic styles and approaches, offering insight into the personal expression of educators who typically focus on developing the artistic voices of their students.
For more information on the exhibition and featured artists, please visit the Zuckerman Museum of Art’s website at museum.kennesaw.edu.
