Cody Smith Named Dalton High School 2025ā2026 Teacher of the YearāØ
Dalton Public Schools is proud to announce that Cody Smith has been named Dalton High School's 2025ā2026 Teacher of the Year.
Smith teaches English to 10th and 11th graders at Dalton High School and sponsors Student Council.
"I discovered that teaching was never really about standing in front of a classroom. It was about building relationships, creating opportunities, and helping young people believe in themselves."
Dalton Public Schools congratulates Cody Smith on being named Dalton High School's 2025ā2026 Teacher of the Year and thanks him for the dedication he shows to students each day.
Read more about the Dalton High School Teacher of the Year: https://www.daltonpublicschools.com/article/3175665
Dalton Public Schools is proud to announce that Cody Smith has been named Dalton High School's 2025ā2026 Teacher of the Year.
Smith teaches English to 10th and 11th graders at Dalton High School and sponsors Student Council.
"I discovered that teaching was never really about standing in front of a classroom. It was about building relationships, creating opportunities, and helping young people believe in themselves."
Dalton Public Schools congratulates Cody Smith on being named Dalton High School's 2025ā2026 Teacher of the Year and thanks him for the dedication he shows to students each day.
Read more about the Dalton High School Teacher of the Year: https://www.daltonpublicschools.com/article/3175665
šš Happy Georgia Pre-K Week!
Today we're visiting Ashley Hart's classroom at Park Creek School, where the science was bubbling over! Students made "apple volcanoes" and watched the chemical reactions as baking soda and vinegar made their apples erupt. Future scientists in the making! š¬
Thank you for making early learning so joyful for our pre-k students!
#GeorgiaPreKWeek #DaltonPublicSchools #LearnLeadSucceed
Today we're visiting Ashley Hart's classroom at Park Creek School, where the science was bubbling over! Students made "apple volcanoes" and watched the chemical reactions as baking soda and vinegar made their apples erupt. Future scientists in the making! š¬
Thank you for making early learning so joyful for our pre-k students!
#GeorgiaPreKWeek #DaltonPublicSchools #LearnLeadSucceed
Who knew recycled materials could look this good? šāØ These Brookwood Lions designed nature-themed costumes from reused items and walked the runway for classmates and parents. Reduce, reuse, runway! ā»ļøš¦
šš Happy Georgia Pre-K Week!
Today we're visiting Esme Catalan's classroom at City Park School, where students celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month with a special book about parades and festivals. Then they teamed up to create a class piƱata! Learning and celebrating together is what pre-k is all about. šŖ
Thank you for making early learning so joyful for our pre-k students!
#GeorgiaPreKWeek #DaltonPublicSchools #LearnLeadSucceed
Today we're visiting Esme Catalan's classroom at City Park School, where students celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month with a special book about parades and festivals. Then they teamed up to create a class piƱata! Learning and celebrating together is what pre-k is all about. šŖ
Thank you for making early learning so joyful for our pre-k students!
#GeorgiaPreKWeek #DaltonPublicSchools #LearnLeadSucceed
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!
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!
Happy National Coaches Day!
Today, we celebrate the incredible coaches who support our students in every aspect of their livesāwhether itās 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!
Today, we celebrate the incredible coaches who support our students in every aspect of their livesāwhether itās 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!
We are proud to congratulate several Dalton Public Schools that have been recognized by the Georgia Department of Education for their efforts in supporting cursive writing instruction, as part of the 2025ā2026 John Hancock Awards program.
Brookwood Elementary School and Blue Ridge Elementary School received the John Hancock Banner and Ribbon of Distinction, the highest level of recognition in the program. This award is given to schools where at least 90% of students demonstrate the ability to write both their name and the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution in cursive.
Additionally, the following schools were awarded the John Hancock Banner and Proficiency Ribbon, which recognizes schools where 90% or more of students can write their name in cursive:
City Park Elementary School
Dalton High School
Dalton Junior High School
Hammond Creek Middle School
Park Creek Elementary School
Roan Elementary School
The Dalton Academy
Westwood Elementary School
Please join us in congratulating our schools! #
Read more about the John Hancock Awards: https://www.daltonpublicschools.com/article/3162964
DaltonPublicSchools #LearnLeadSucceed
Brookwood Elementary School and Blue Ridge Elementary School received the John Hancock Banner and Ribbon of Distinction, the highest level of recognition in the program. This award is given to schools where at least 90% of students demonstrate the ability to write both their name and the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution in cursive.
Additionally, the following schools were awarded the John Hancock Banner and Proficiency Ribbon, which recognizes schools where 90% or more of students can write their name in cursive:
City Park Elementary School
Dalton High School
Dalton Junior High School
Hammond Creek Middle School
Park Creek Elementary School
Roan Elementary School
The Dalton Academy
Westwood Elementary School
Please join us in congratulating our schools! #
Read more about the John Hancock Awards: https://www.daltonpublicschools.com/article/3162964
DaltonPublicSchools #LearnLeadSucceed
š¾ Check out the latest edition of Paws in Print to stay up to date on news, events, and celebrations from across Dalton Public Schools!
š Read it here: https://daltonpublicschoolsga.edurooms.com/newsletters/dalton-public-schools/newsletters/paws-in-print-october-edition
š Read it here: https://daltonpublicschoolsga.edurooms.com/newsletters/dalton-public-schools/newsletters/paws-in-print-october-edition
š“š Happy Georgia Pre-K Week!
Today we're heading into Whitney Anderson's classroom at Brookwood School, where story time got a little extra silly! Anderson dressed up as a palm tree to read "Chicka Chicka Boom Boom," and her students followed along by placing their letters on her costume as the alphabet climbed the tree. Learning ABCs has never been so fun!
Thank you for making early learning so joyful for our pre-k students!
#GeorgiaPreKWeek #DaltonPublicSchools #LearnLeadSucceed
Today we're heading into Whitney Anderson's classroom at Brookwood School, where story time got a little extra silly! Anderson dressed up as a palm tree to read "Chicka Chicka Boom Boom," and her students followed along by placing their letters on her costume as the alphabet climbed the tree. Learning ABCs has never been so fun!
Thank you for making early learning so joyful for our pre-k students!
#GeorgiaPreKWeek #DaltonPublicSchools #LearnLeadSucceed
Happy National Physical Therapy Month! š A huge thank-you to our amazing school PTs ā Leanna Smotherman, Rebekah Cox, and Mary Beth Wakefield ā for the difference you make in our students' lives every single day.
Happy School Custodian Appreciation Day! š 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!
October is National Principal's Month, and we want to take a moment to appreciate our incredible principals at Dalton Public Schools.
Their dedication, leadership, and hard work are the foundation of our educational community. Thank you for all you do to support our students and staff!
Your words of appreciation mean the world to our principals! Don't hesitate to leave a comment on this post to show your support for their hard work and dedication.
Their dedication, leadership, and hard work are the foundation of our educational community. Thank you for all you do to support our students and staff!
Your words of appreciation mean the world to our principals! Don't hesitate to leave a comment on this post to show your support for their hard work and dedication.
October is National Bullying Prevention Month!
At Dalton Public Schools, we are committed to creating a safe, supportive, and inclusive environment where every student feels valued and respected. Together, we can take a stand against bullying and promote kindness, acceptance, and unity.
At Dalton Public Schools, we are committed to creating a safe, supportive, and inclusive environment where every student feels valued and respected. Together, we can take a stand against bullying and promote kindness, acceptance, and unity.
Fall Break Reminder š
Just a friendly reminder that Fall Break is right around the corner! Thursday, October 8 is a staff professional learning day and a student holiday. Friday, October 9, Monday, October 12, and Tuesday, October 13 are student and staff holidays. We will see you all back on Wednesday, October 14!
Just a friendly reminder that Fall Break is right around the corner! Thursday, October 8 is a staff professional learning day and a student holiday. Friday, October 9, Monday, October 12, and Tuesday, October 13 are student and staff holidays. We will see you all back on Wednesday, October 14!
PEACH TAX CREDIT PROGRAM: Looking to support education and save on taxes? Learn how you can benefit from the Peach Tax Credit program with Dalton Public Schools!
Visit https://www.daltonpublicschools.com/page/peach-education-tax-credit for more details!
Visit https://www.daltonpublicschools.com/page/peach-education-tax-credit for more details!
Big news, Dalton Public Schools families! š
This fall, every DPS student in grades 3ā6 will receive their very own copy of "Tufted: The Stitch & Story of Catherine Evans Whitener" by author Rachel Smalley as part of our upcoming literacy initiative!
But that's not all. Rachel will visit our schools to meet with students and talk about her writing process, why she wrote the book, how the story developed, and the people who inspired it. She'll also read "Tufted" alongside our students!
We can't wait to see our readers dive in.
#DaltonPublicSchools #LearnLeadSucceed #DaltonReads
This fall, every DPS student in grades 3ā6 will receive their very own copy of "Tufted: The Stitch & Story of Catherine Evans Whitener" by author Rachel Smalley as part of our upcoming literacy initiative!
But that's not all. Rachel will visit our schools to meet with students and talk about her writing process, why she wrote the book, how the story developed, and the people who inspired it. She'll also read "Tufted" alongside our students!
We can't wait to see our readers dive in.
#DaltonPublicSchools #LearnLeadSucceed #DaltonReads
ROAR Day: The Greatest Show in Education brought Dalton Public Schools together for a day of learning, collaboration, and celebration! šŖ
Today, educators from across the district gathered at Dalton High School to connect, grow, and share ideas that strengthen the DPS community. With more than 100 sessions led by our own teachers, coaches, and staff, ROAR Day offered something for everyone, from classroom management and literacy strategies to AI, wellness, and school culture.
Under the big top, staff took center stage in hands-on experiences: racing the clock in an escape room, making puppets and stage props, learning pickleball, and even trying a little musical theater choreography. Between sessions, educators swapped ideas over refreshments and celebrated the passion and dedication that make our district special.
Today proved once again that when we step into the ring as one team, DPS is the greatest show in education! š¦ #DaltonPublicSchools #LearnLeadSucceed
Today, educators from across the district gathered at Dalton High School to connect, grow, and share ideas that strengthen the DPS community. With more than 100 sessions led by our own teachers, coaches, and staff, ROAR Day offered something for everyone, from classroom management and literacy strategies to AI, wellness, and school culture.
Under the big top, staff took center stage in hands-on experiences: racing the clock in an escape room, making puppets and stage props, learning pickleball, and even trying a little musical theater choreography. Between sessions, educators swapped ideas over refreshments and celebrated the passion and dedication that make our district special.
Today proved once again that when we step into the ring as one team, DPS is the greatest show in education! š¦ #DaltonPublicSchools #LearnLeadSucceed
š Big news for Dalton Public Schools!
Our 2026 graduation rates are in, and Dalton High School, The Dalton Academy and DPS as a whole are all above Georgiaās 88.5% graduation rate! š
š Dalton High School: 93.24%
š The Dalton Academy: 90.21%
š Dalton Public Schools: 89.85%
We are incredibly proud of our students and grateful for the hard work and dedication of our teachers and staff who make successes like these possible! ā¤ļøš¾
š Read more: www.daltonpublicschools.com/news
Our 2026 graduation rates are in, and Dalton High School, The Dalton Academy and DPS as a whole are all above Georgiaās 88.5% graduation rate! š
š Dalton High School: 93.24%
š The Dalton Academy: 90.21%
š Dalton Public Schools: 89.85%
We are incredibly proud of our students and grateful for the hard work and dedication of our teachers and staff who make successes like these possible! ā¤ļøš¾
š Read more: www.daltonpublicschools.com/news
Happy Human Resource Professionals Day! Today, weāre shining a spotlight on our amazing HR team who make our district a great place to work. Mendy Woods, Bianca Maldonado, Ashley Hernandez, and Liz Moralesāthank you for your dedication to supporting our staff, fostering a positive work environment, and making sure everything runs smoothly behind the scenes. We appreciate all you do!
š£ We want to hear from our students!
The 2026 Believe Greater Dalton Community Survey is now open, and our students have an important role in helping shape what comes next for our community.
Students, please take a few minutes to share your voice. Families, we encourage you to ask your student to participate!
The survey takes approximately five minutes, responses are anonymous, and participants may enter to win one of five $100 Visa gift cards.
Take the survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/BGD2026
Your voice matters. Letās help build the future of Greater Daltonātogether!
