Classroom SpotlightšŸŒŸ

Math comes to life on Fridays in Macavan Kalafut's class at Dalton Junior High School!

Every Friday, Mr. Kalafut uses math-based games to reinforce the weekā€™s lessons. Recently, students split into three teams for Jeopardy: Math Edition, competing in categories covering absolute value, rational numbers, and irrational numbers. Great work, DJHS!
about 15 hours ago, Dalton Public Schools Communications
A male teacher wearing a purple polo shirt and ID badge points his finger toward a 300-point square under the "Fractions" category on a digital interactive screen. The screen displays a Jeopardy-formatted math game with categories including Absolute Value, Decimals, Fractions, Rational/Irrational, and Trivia, along with team score counters at the bottom.
A teacher viewed in profile wears a light purple polo shirt and a smartwatch while writing on a whiteboard with a pink dry-erase marker. A blue cleaning cloth hangs on the board near a green sheet of paper clipped to the surface.
A male teacher stands in front of a large digital display pointing toward a math question reading "What are the two possible values of x if |x| = 14?". Surrounding the display are whiteboards, student desks, an office chair, and classroom supplies.
Three high school students sit side-by-side at individual desks in a classroom, each using a handheld scientific calculator. Water bottles sit on their desks, and wall cabinets with ambient under-cabinet lighting are visible in the background.
A female student wearing a black zip-up jacket sits at her desk, turning her head upward to listen to her teacher standing beside her. Other students in the background focus on their work at neighboring desks.
A male teacher in a purple polo shirt and dark trousers smiles while walking between rows of student desks. Behind him, a digital display asks "Is 18 ā€‹ rational or irrational?".
A teacher stands near the front of a room speaking and gesturing open-handed toward students seated at desks. Behind him sits a large display monitor loaded with an educational game board, flanked by whiteboards with colorful paper notes pinned to them.
A row of three high school girls sit at gray school desks, leaning over their work and typing into scientific calculators. Educational posters about careers and classroom rules decorate the background wall and door.
A male teacher with a tattoo on his forearm stands in a classroom speaking to students, holding one hand open in gesture. Behind him, a large flat-panel screen displays a 5x5 blue game board with point values ranging from 100 to 500.
A teacher wearing a purple polo shirt leans against a desk while holding a pink marker and talking with four students seated around him in a semicircle arrangement. A large whiteboard with colorful sticky notes hangs on the wall behind the group.
Don't forget!

There is no school on Monday, September 7, due to the Labor Day Holiday. We will see all of our students and staff back in school on Tuesday, September 8.

Have a great long weekend!
about 17 hours ago, Dalton Public Schools Communications
A back-to-school themed graphic showing a child from behind holding a backpack. Overlaid text reads, ā€œDonā€™t forget! Labor Day Monday, September 7 Student and Staff Holiday.ā€ A red banner says ā€œNo School!ā€ and the Dalton Public Schools logo appears at the bottom.
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!
1 day ago, Communications Intern
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!
šŸŽ‰ Congratulations to Dalton High School senior Andrea Najera, who was selected as a finalist and attended the prestigious Georgia Governor's Honors Program this summer! Andrea studied Communicative Arts, spending a month at Georgia Southern University alongside 600 other top students from across Georgia ā€” growing her passion for storytelling, which she also brings to life as manager of Dalton High's student newspaper, the Catamount Times.

Way to go, Andrea! šŸ†šŸ“°

Read more about the Governor's Honors Program: https://www.daltonpublicschools.com/article/3091967
1 day ago, Dalton Public Schools Communications
A news announcement graphic titled "Dalton High School Senior Attends Prestigious Georgia Governor's Honors Program" in bold white text at the bottom left, alongside the Dalton Public Schools logo at the bottom right. The background features a student wearing sunglasses, a black top, blue skirt, and a cream crocheted cardigan standing outdoors on a brick campus walkway. Behind her are brick entryway pillars with eagle medallions and a blue banner for "GEORGIA SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY".
Shalisa Love Named Dalton Education Foundation 2026 Tom Jones Educator of the Year

Dalton Public Schools is proud to announce that Shalisa Love has been named the 2026 Tom Jones Educator of the Year by the Dalton Education Foundation. With 15 years in education and 20 years in coaching, Love has made a profound impact on students, athletes, and the broader Dalton community. Having worked with students across elementary, middle, and high school, she currently serves as a CTAE educator leading the Teaching as a Profession Pathway.

Dalton Public Schools extends its sincere thanks to the Dalton Education Foundation for its continued support of teachers and schools. The foundation's commitment to recognizing and investing in educators helps strengthen the learning experiences of students across the district.

Read more about the Tom Jones Educator of the Year Award: https://www.daltonpublicschools.com/article/3081760
3 days ago, Dalton Public Schools Communications
A nighttime photo taken on a illuminated stadium football field featuring five individuals posing together. In the center, a woman wearing a red dress, a black "Teacher of the Year" sash, and dangling earrings holds a clear glass apple award while smiling at the camera. Surrounding her are four colleagues and supporters: a man on the far left in a white polo shirt with a button badge, a man in a red polo shirt, a man in a red Dalton "D" logo shirt, and a woman on the far right in a red polka-dot top.
Classroom Spotlight: Leadership in action at The Dalton Academy! šŸ‡ŗšŸ‡ø

In Captain Bill Jinwright's JROTC class, cadet leaders are taking charge in their brand-new facility, guiding new cadets through the precision and protocol of color guard operations. It's so inspiring to see our students building discipline, teamwork, and leadership skills every day!

#DaltonPublicSchools #LearnLeadSucceed
6 days ago, Dalton Public Schools Communications
A JROTC cadet in a dark blue dress uniform with a yellow shoulder cord stands at attention in the foreground. Behind him, a female cadet holds the United States flag, while another cadet holds the Georgia state flag during a color guard practice in a hallway featuring a moss green accent wall.
Four students stand in formation on a marked gray floor during color guard practice. Two students wear JROTC dress uniforms and hold ceremonial rifles, while a female cadet in uniform holds the U.S. flag and a male student in a white Spider-Man hoodie holds the Georgia state flag.
Three students practice color guard drill in a school hallway with a green moss wall in the background. A female JROTC cadet holds the U.S. flag, a male student in a white hoodie holds the Georgia flag, and a male cadet in uniform stands behind them holding a ceremonial rifle.
A female JROTC cadet in uniform holds the United States flag while a male student in a white hoodie holds the Georgia state flag. They stand at attention on a taped gray floor in a large, bright room while other students watch.
A male JROTC cadet with blonde hair stands facing three other students during color guard practice in a hallway. The students in formation include a female cadet holding the U.S. flag, a male student holding the Georgia flag, and a male cadet holding a ceremonial rifle.
A JROTC cadet in full dress uniform stands addressing a line of six male high school students in casual clothing. They are standing on a gray floor marked with black tape lines inside a large, brightly lit multi-purpose room.
Two female students stand in formation on a marked gray floor holding flags during a practice session. The student on the left holds the United States flag, and the student on the right holds the Georgia state flag, while an adult instructor in a red polo shirt observes nearby.
Several students in casual clothing practice handling wooden ceremonial drill rifles in a large room with a gray floor. In the foreground, a student in a red polo shirt and argyle sweater vest watches while others practice movements behind him.
Multiple students are spread across a large practice room with a taped gray floor. In the center, two female students practice holding the U.S. and Georgia state flags aloft, while other students in the background practice with wooden ceremonial rifles under the supervision of an instructor.
A female student in a black shirt and a male student in a white hoodie hold the United States and Georgia state flags at attention. An instructor in a red polo shirt stands in the foreground observing their technique during a color guard practice session.
Leslie Felix Named Dalton High School 2025ā€“2026 Classified Staff Member of the YearāœØ

Dalton Public Schools is proud to announce that Leslie Felix has been named Dalton High School's 2025ā€“2026 Classified Staff Member of the Year.

Felix has worked in the front office at Dalton High School since August 2020, serving as one of the first points of contact for students, parents, staff, and visitors. Felix said the role has strengthened her commitment to creating a welcoming environment for everyone who walks through the school's doors.

Dalton Public Schools congratulates Leslie Felix on being named Dalton High School's 2025ā€“2026 Classified Staff Member of the Year and thanks her for the dedication she shows to students and staff each day.

Read more about the Dalton High School Classified Staff Member of the Year: https://www.daltonpublicschools.com/article/3069878
8 days ago, Dalton Public Schools Communications
A promotional graphics flyer celebrating "Classified Staff of the Year" against a dark gray background. On the left, bold red text reads "Classified Staff of the Year" with "#CATAMOUNTS" underneath in a red box, and the Dalton Public Schools logo at the bottom left. On the right, a smiling woman named Leslie Felix wears a bright red t-shirt, necklace, and lanyard while holding an award and an envelope. Her name "FELIX Leslie" is displayed in large white and red typography at the bottom right above "Dalton High School".
Classroom Spotlight: Math comes to life at Blue Ridge School! šŸŽ²āœØ

Layla Jarvisā€™ students got a hands-on lesson in place value by turning into human base-ten blocksā€”filling a giant "ONES" grid on the floor, grouping together with a string when they reached 10, and moving to the "TENS" spot to build teen numbers. They then headed to their desks to practice the concept with colored blocks and paper charts.

Way to make math interactive and fun! #DaltonPublicSchools #LearnLeadSucceed
9 days ago, Dalton Public Schools Communications
A female teacher in a blue top and lanyards stands over a group of elementary students participating in a structured line-up activity inside a classroom. To the left, colorful student backpacks hang on hooks along the wall near educational posters.
A teacher holds up a small handheld whiteboard showing the number 17 broken down into tens and ones, pointing to counting blocks on a worksheet in front of a young student seated at a yellow desk.
A female teacher in a blue top and lanyards stands over a group of elementary students participating in a structured line-up activity inside a classroom. To the left, colorful student backpacks hang on hooks along the wall near educational posters.
A female teacher in a blue top and lanyards stands over a group of elementary students participating in a structured line-up activity inside a classroom. To the left, colorful student backpacks hang on hooks along the wall near educational posters.
A female teacher in a blue top and lanyards stands over a group of elementary students participating in a structured line-up activity inside a classroom. To the left, colorful student backpacks hang on hooks along the wall near educational posters.
A female teacher in a blue top and lanyards stands over a group of elementary students participating in a structured line-up activity inside a classroom. To the left, colorful student backpacks hang on hooks along the wall near educational posters.
A female teacher in a blue top and lanyards stands over a group of elementary students participating in a structured line-up activity inside a classroom. To the left, colorful student backpacks hang on hooks along the wall near educational posters.
Two elementary school boys sit across from each other at a bright yellow table, organizing colorful plastic connecting blocks on math worksheets.
šŸ¾ Introducing Little Cats Registration for the 2026ā€“2027 School Year! šŸ¾

We are excited to kick off interest for the upcoming school year! Due to high interest in the Little Cats program, we are launching an online interest form to help us manage our list and prioritize our Dalton Public Schools families.

šŸ‘‰ Complete the Interest Form: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=gFYg6YRaWUiHRBVlO6te8n1WeX2ijElOpoLli1Zc05pUME40WVUyN0VWRVlZNzc5V1pMUzg4WDMzOS4u&origin=QRCode

Important Details:
-Waiting List Placement: Submitting the form adds your child to the Little Cats waiting/contact listā€”it does not guarantee enrollment or placement.

-DPS Priority: Priority placement is given to families who reside within the Dalton Public Schools attendance zone.

-Follow-Up: As spaces become available, a Little Cats representative will contact families directly with additional information and next steps for enrollment.

Ready to get started? Click the link (or scan the QR code on the flyer) to add your child to the list! šŸ“±āœØ
9 days ago, Ashley Grycz
A flyer titled "Now Enrolling! LITTLE CATS - PARENT & CHILD CLASSES FOR 3 AND 4-YEAR-OLDS!" featuring the Dalton Public Schools logo and a smiling young boy in a blue shirt alongside cartoon mountain lion illustrations. The body text announces that registration for the 2026ā€“2027 Little Cats Program is open and explains that filling out the interest form adds families to the waitlist. The bottom includes location details for Roan Resource Center (400 Vann Circle, Dalton, GA), a QR code for registration, contact information for Saira Laruy (706-463-7631 / Saira.Laruy@dalton.k12.ga.us), and a footer reading "PRE-K COMMUNITY CLASSES | INTERGENERATIONAL | AM & PM".
A Spanish flyer titled "Ya Matriculando LITTLE CATS - Ā”CLASES PARA PADRES E HIJOS PARA NIƑOS DE 3 Y 4 AƑOS!" featuring the Dalton Public Schools logo and a smiling young boy in a blue shirt alongside cartoon mountain lion illustrations. The text announces open enrollment for the 2026ā€“2027 Little Cats (PequeƱo Gatitos) program and directs parents to complete the interest form to be placed on the waiting list. The bottom contains address details for Centro de Recursos de Roan (400 Vann Circle, Dalton, GA), a QR code, contact information for Saira Laruy (706-463-7631 / Saira.Laruy@dalton.k12.ga.us), and a footer reading "CLASES COMUNITARIAS DE PREESCOLAR | INTERGENERACIONALES | POR LA MAƑANA Y POR LA TARDE".
Dalton Public Schools is proud to announce the Game Ball winner for the month of August: Amy Sherman, 21st Century Program Director.

Sherman leads Dalton Public Schoolsā€™ 21st Century Community Learning Center programs, a federally funded initiative that extends learning beyond the traditional school day by providing students with additional academic support, enrichment opportunities and engaging experiences designed to help them thrive.

Through her leadership, Sherman helps ensure students have access to meaningful opportunities that strengthen academic skills, encourage exploration and provide additional support for success in school and beyond.

šŸ‘‰ Read more about the August Game Ball Winner: https://www.daltonpublicschools.com/article/3075592
10 days ago, Dalton Public Schools Communications
A bald man in a blue striped polo shirt stands beside a woman wearing a black dress and a colorful floral cardigan inside a school facility. The woman smiles as she holds a black-and-white soccer ball award. To their left, a large interactive display screen presents a "Game Ball" recognition page.
Participants seated at tables in a brightly lit room during a meeting or workshop. In the background focus, a woman in a floral cardigan works on a laptop next to another attendee, while colleagues sit in the foreground at desks equipped with computers and notebooks.
A bald man in a blue striped polo shirt presents a black-and-white soccer ball award to a woman wearing a dark dress and a colorful floral cardigan. They stand together in an indoor meeting space with an interactive digital display in the background showing a recognition program screen.

Brookwood, Westwood, and Dalton High families: Free & Reduced Lunch Applications Are Now Available ā€“ in English & Spanish!

The 2026ā€“2027 Free & Reduced Lunch Application is open!

Everyone is encouraged to complete a new application each year, even if youā€™ve qualified in the past.
Submit your application by September 1, 2026. A new application is required each year, and last yearā€™s status will expire on September 18.

Apply online or pick up a limited paper copy at the front office of any Dalton school.
ENGLISH: https://www.myschoolapps.com/Home/DistrictRedirect/DaltonPS_GA?langid=1
SPANISH: https://www.myschoolapps.com/Home/DistrictRedirect/DaltonPS_GA?langid=2

šŸŽ Itā€™s About More Than a Meal!
āœ… Access to free or reduced prices on healthy, delicious meals
āœ… Discounted fees for SAT, ACT, and AP exams
āœ… Eligibility for college scholarships and academic programs
āœ… Helps maintain critical student services and enrichment programs

Take a few minutes to applyā€”itā€™s a small step that supports big opportunities for your student!

10 days ago, Dalton Public Schools Communications
An English flyer titled "Now Open! FREE AND REDUCED LUNCH APPLICATIONS - More than a meal." The top image shows smiling children sitting together at a lunch table. Below are three featured benefits: School Funding: Maintains funding for student programs and services. Shown with a photo of a smiling girl holding books. SAT, ACT, AP Fees: Offers discounted exam fees and scholarship opportunities. Shown with a photo of high school graduates in red gowns. School Meals: Provides free or reduced prices for nutritious school meals. Shown with a photo of a young student selecting food in a cafeteria line. The bottom text instructs everyone to reapply annually by September 1, 2026, and notes that applications can be completed online or picked up at any school front office.
A Spanish flyer titled "Ā”Ya disponible! SOLICITUDES DE ALMUERZO GRATUITO O REDUCIDO - MĆ”s que una comida." The top image shows smiling children sitting together at a lunch table. Below are three featured benefits: Financiamiento escolar: Maintains funding for student programs and services. Shown with a photo of a smiling girl holding books. Costos de SAT, ACT y AP: Offers discounted exam fees and scholarship opportunities. Shown with a photo of high school graduates in red gowns. Comidas escolares: Provides free or reduced prices for nutritious school meals. Shown with a photo of a young student selecting food in a cafeteria line. The bottom text instructs all students to reapply annually by September 1, 2026, and notes that applications can be completed online or picked up at any school front office.
šŸ† Help Honor the Catamounts Who Made History! šŸ†

The search is on for the third class of the Dalton High School Athletics Hall of Fame!

Do you know a former athlete, coach, team, or community contributor whose impact on Dalton High School athletics deserves to be recognized? Now is your opportunity to help preserve the rich history and tradition of Catamount athletics by submitting a nomination.

Since its establishment in 2024, the Dalton High School Athletics Hall of Fame has celebrated the individuals and teams whose excellence, leadership, and dedication have shaped generations of Catamounts. Now it's time to recognize the next class of legends.
Nominations close on August 24, 2026.

If you've nominated someone in the past, we encourage you to update and resubmit your nomination to ensure the Hall of Fame Committee has the most complete and current information available.

Submit your nomination today:
šŸ”—https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdIAsY8STEViTR8R5Y6UyRtXUpHNpFp4YXVxl9yoEDV1XeGjg/viewform
15 days ago, Dalton Public Schools Communications
A graphic logo for the "DALTON HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETICS HALL OF FAME" set against a textured, dark red background with scattered black debris accents. The central feature is a black shield with a white inner border containing a stylized red and white catamount head logo. The text "DALTON HIGH SCHOOL" is arched across the top inside the shield, "ATHLETICS" is written near the bottom, and a black ribbon banner across the base reads "HALL OF FAME" in bold white lettering.
Angie Edwards Named Blue Ridge School 2025ā€“2026 Teacher of the YearāœØ

Dalton Public Schools is proud to announce that Angie Edwards has been named Blue Ridge School's 2025ā€“2026 Teacher of the Year. Edwards teaches ESOL and EIP to students in grades K-5 at Blue Ridge School, where she has spent her entire 13-year teaching career.

"After more than a decade at Blue Ridge, I see the school as much more than my workplace," Edwards said. "It is the community where I have grown as a teacher, built lasting relationships, and invested a significant part of my life."

Dalton Public Schools congratulates Angie Edwards on being named Blue Ridge School's 2025ā€“2026 Teacher of the Year and thanks her for the dedication she shows to students each day.

Read more about the Blue Ridge School Teacher of the Year: https://www.daltonpublicschools.com/article/3069841
15 days ago, Dalton Public Schools Communications
A promotional graphic celebrating "Teacher of the Year" against a light gray background with a faint jaguar mascot watermark. On the left, bold red text reads "Teacher of the Year" with "#JAGUARS" in a red box below, and the Dalton Public Schools logo sits at the bottom left. On the right, a smiling woman named Angie Edwards wears glasses, a miniature sombrero headband, a festive rainbow poncho, a taco necklace, and holds a glass award plaque. Her name "EDWARDS Angie" is printed in large white and red typography at the bottom right above "Blue Ridge School".
Dalton Public Schools Elevates Student Safety Through New Partnership with Sandy Hook Promise

In a continued commitment to maintaining safe, welcoming, and supportive learning environments, Dalton Public Schools is announcing a new partnership with Sandy Hook Promise. As part of this safety initiative, the district will soon launch the Say Something Anonymous Reporting System across our schools.

Read more about our partnership with Sandy Hook Promise: https://www.daltonpublicschools.com/article/3068387
16 days ago, Dalton Public Schools Communications
A green-tinted promotional graphic featuring a background photo of students standing together with their arms around each other's shoulders. Overlaid in large white text reads "Dalton Public Schools Elevates Student Safety Through New Partnership with Sandy Hook Promise". The Dalton Public Schools logo is displayed at the top center, and the Sandy Hook Promise tree logo appears in the bottom right corner.

Ready, set, learn! šŸŽšŸ“š

Happy First Day of School, Dalton Public Schools! We are so excited to launch into another incredible year of growth, discovery, and community. To our students, teachers, and families: Letā€™s make this school year our best one yet! You're going to love what's in store!

#DaltonPublicSchools #LearnLeadSucceed #DPSFirstDay

16 days ago, Communications Intern
A teacher in a yellow shirt leans over a classroom table to assist two students who are writing and working together.
A school staff member in a white shirt and tie stands outside greeting students as they exit a car with their backpacks.
A group of eight smiling teachers and staff members wearing matching white spirit shirts seated in a row on a stage in front of a wooden podium and dark curtains.
Four smiling young women posing together outdoors in front of a parking lot and trees.
A smiling family posing together outdoors, with a woman in a teal shirt, a young girl, and a man holding a toddler with a pacifier.
A group of smiling high school girls posing closely together outdoors for a selfie taken with a handheld digital camera.
A young girl smiles at the camera as an adult carrying a drink cup walks past in an outdoor school parking lot or drop-off area
A smiling teacher with blonde hair and glasses stands in front of a classroom whiteboard and bookshelf.
A group of six smiling high school students carrying backpacks walking and talking together outdoors in front of trees and a parking lot.

Doors open, hearts full! Orientations remind us just how special our school community is. Seeing so many familiar faces (and new ones!) brought our buildings right back to life. Weā€™re all set for a fantastic year aheadā€”see you all bright and early tomorrow! šŸŽ’šŸšŒ #DaltonPublicSchools #LearnLeadSucceed

17 days ago, Communications Intern
A group of smiling students wearing matching grey Dalton shirts gathered and posing together indoors.
A decorated school hallway lined with red and white walls, filled with teachers and staff, with a pink, red, and gold balloon arch visible in the background.
A group of seven smiling adults standing side-by-side in a school hallway in front of a trophy case, wearing school spirit shirts and hoodies in white, red, and black.
Two school staff members and a parent or volunteer interacting outdoors under a covered walkway near numbered posts and green trees.
A young man wearing glasses and a dark soccer jersey stands with students and staff in a brightly lit school lobby.
A barber smiling as he cuts a student's hair with clippers during a school event.
A group of five smiling school staff members posing together behind a table against a light-colored brick wall, with one woman wearing a red Dalton shirt.
A woman wearing glasses and a boy in a blue hooded sweatshirt talking together in a bustling school atrium filled with students and tables.
A young smiling boy in a light blue t-shirt standing beside a teenage girl sitting at a classroom table with playdough, small plastic cups, and learning materials.
A smiling school staff member wearing a red lanyard stands at an indoor registration or check-in table in front of a DJHS backdrop.
Itā€™s officially Senior Spotlight season, and we couldnā€™t be more proud to shine a light on some of our recent graduates!

Today weā€™re featuring Dalton High School graduate Zacari Garcia!

Zacari Garcia was a driven member of the class of 2026 who not only spread positivity throughout her school community but also prioritized her passions and excelled at them year after year! During her time at Dalton High School, Zacari was part of a variety of unique extracurriculars, including Swimming and Diving, Track, Color Guard, JROTC, and JROTC Raiders, a highly physical extracurricular team for high school cadets. Along with this, Zacari took on multiple leadership roles within her school as a member of the Student Council and founded the Hispanics of Purpose and Education (HoPe) chapter. She was also a leader within her broader community, participating in the Youth United Way Council and the L.I.F.T. Club. Within these extracurriculars, Zacari accomplished many different feats, such as organizing the first QuinceaƱera Runway Show with the HoPe team, serving as the Color Guard Commander, and earning the Unit Honor of Distinction, the highest accreditation rating a JROTC program can earn, and an achievement Zacari is extremely proud of. Along with these achievements, Zacari was selected by her peers to serve on the homecoming court for all four years of high school, being chosen as princess three years in a row and crowned homecoming queen her senior year! In the fall, Zacari plans to attend the University of North Georgia, where she previously participated in the National Leadership Challenge, an immersive weekend hosted by the University of North Georgia Corps of Cadets designed to give high schoolers a firsthand look at cadet life on campus. There, she plans to study Strategic and Security Studies with a concentration in International Affairs. Zacari Garcia was a changemaker within her school, initiating real change throughout her four years of high school and leading her peers with compassion! We are immensely proud to have had her as a member of our Dalton Public Schools community, and we are sure that she will continue to make a difference in whatever community she joins next.

Way to go Zacari!
17 days ago, Communications Intern
Itā€™s officially Senior Spotlight season, and we couldnā€™t be more proud to shine a light on some of our recent graduates! Today weā€™re featuring Dalton High School graduate Zacari Garcia! Zacari Garcia was a driven member of the class of 2026 who not only spread positivity throughout her school community but also prioritized her passions and excelled at them year after year! During her time at Dalton High School, Zacari was part of a variety of unique extracurriculars, including Swimming and Diving, Track, Color Guard, JROTC, and JROTC Raiders, a highly physical extracurricular team for high school cadets. Along with this, Zacari took on multiple leadership roles within her school as a member of the Student Council and founded the Hispanics of Purpose and Education (HoPe) chapter. She was also a leader within her broader community, participating in the Youth United Way Council and the L.I.F.T. Club. Within these extracurriculars, Zacari accomplished many different feats, such as organizing the first QuinceaƱera Runway Show with the HoPe team, serving as the Color Guard Commander, and earning the Unit Honor of Distinction, the highest accreditation rating a JROTC program can earn, and an achievement Zacari is extremely proud of. Along with these achievements, Zacari was selected by her peers to serve on the homecoming court for all four years of high school, being chosen as princess three years in a row and crowned homecoming queen her senior year! In the fall, Zacari plans to attend the University of North Georgia, where she previously participated in the National Leadership Challenge, an immersive weekend hosted by the University of North Georgia Corps of Cadets designed to give high schoolers a firsthand look at cadet life on campus. There, she plans to study Strategic and Security Studies with a concentration in International Affairs. Zacari Garcia was a changemaker within her school, initiating real change throughout her four years of high school and leading her peers with compassion! We are immensely proud to have had her as a member of our Dalton Public Schools community, and we are sure that she will continue to make a difference in whatever community she joins next. Way to go Zacari!
Dear Class of 2026, The Central office would like to extend our thanks to the Class of 2026 for sharing your achievements with us! Celebrating your successes has been an honor, and we are confident that you will all carry your ambition and talents forward to make a lasting impact. Sincerely, Dalton Public Schools Congratulations

šŸŽ A full-circle moment for Dalton Public Schools!

We are beyond proud to announce that JJ Anderson, a dedicated first-grade teacher at Westwood School, has been named the 2026 District Teacher of the Year! As a proud product of Dalton Public Schools herself, JJā€™s journey from a DPS studentā€”building connections in the Buddy Program and Early Childhood Education pathwayā€”to returning to teach in the district that raised her is a true testament to our DPS culture. In her classroom, JJ leads with heart, using structured literacy practices to build confident, lifelong readers, while also serving as Westwoodā€™s first-grade chair, a district literacy leader, and the Head Softball Coach for Dalton High School. šŸ†

During Convocation, JJ was surprised with a $500 award and a brand-new vehicle lease generously donated by Ford of Dalton to celebrate her incredible impact on our students and community! We also want to extend a huge congratulations to all of our incredible 2026 School-Level Teachers of the Year: Angie Edwards (Blue Ridge), Shea McFadden (Brookwood), Kimberly Jimenez (City Park), Cody Smith (Dalton High), Selena Rios (Dalton Junior High), Yebel Garcia (Hammond Creek Middle), Briana Cloud (Park Creek), Nadxelly Ramirez (Roan), and Katie Sloan (The Dalton Academy). šŸŒŸ

Special thanks to Ford of Dalton, the Dalton Education Foundation, and all of our local sponsors for continuing to honor and support our extraordinary educators. Join us in celebrating JJ and all of our incredible Teachers of the Year!

šŸ“–Read more about JJ Anderson and our 2026 Teachers of the Year here: https://www.daltonpublicschools.com/article/3053751

19 days ago, Communications Intern
Four smiling people pose together on a gymnasium stage for an award presentation. Two men in suits and a woman on the right present a large novelty car key reading "Dalton Teacher of the Year" and "Ford DALTON" to a female teacher in a red skirt who holds a bouquet of yellow roses.
A smiling blonde female teacher stands in a gymnasium holding an engraved glass award plaque. She wears a black t-shirt that reads "WESTWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL THE GREATEST SCHOOL" and a red skirt, with spectators in red and black seated in the blurred bleachers behind her.
Three adults stand together outdoors smiling in front of a white Ford SUV. The woman in the middle wears a black "WESTWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL THE GREATEST SCHOOL" shirt and a long red skirt. On her left, a woman holds a baby in a beige front carrier, and on her right, a bearded man in a light blue striped polo and navy trousers stands with them on a grassy lawn.
A smiling woman in a red skirt and black Westwood Elementary School shirt poses next to a feline mascot dressed as a ringmaster in a red jacket, yellow vest, and black top hat. The mascot holds out a baton in front of a white Ford SUV displaying a banner reading "Thank You! Ford DALTON... Sponsoring the Teacher of the Year Car Giveaway."
A row of teachers seated on chairs on a gymnasium floor applaud during an awards ceremony. They hold acrylic award plaques in their laps. Near the middle, a female teacher wearing a star headband and red pants smiles towards her colleague in a black Westwood Elementary shirt and red skirt, who covers her mouth in surprise and emotion. In the background, audience members watch from packed bleachers.
A man in sunglasses and a blue plaid suit coat hands a car key fob to a smiling female teacher standing outdoors in front of a white Ford SUV. Together, they hold a large novelty key reading "Dalton Teacher of the Year" and "Ford DALTON." The teacher wears a red skirt and black Westwood Elementary shirt while holding a bouquet of yellow roses in her other arm.
A woman in a light pink dress emotionally embraces a teacher in a red skirt who is holding a bouquet of yellow roses on a gymnasium floor. Beside them, a smiling man in a red polo shirt watches the embrace, while other attendees look on in the background against a wall displaying the words "Welcome Cats".
A smiling woman wearing a red skirt and a black "WESTWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL" t-shirt sits in the driver's seat of a white vehicle with the door open, waving at the camera.

šŸŽŖ Welcome to "The Greatest Show in Education!"
DPS faculty, staff, and administrators gathered at Dalton High School to celebrate the start of the 2026ā€“2027 school year with unmatched energy, harmony, and incredible district pride! The competition was fierce, but Park Creek School took home the Elementary Spirit Belt and Hammond Creek Middle School defended their title for a 3rd straight year to win the Secondary Spirit Belt! šŸ†
Superintendent Dr. Steven Craft set an inspiring tone for the year ahead, celebrating the dedicated people who make our district extraordinary. We capped off the event by honoring City Parkā€™s Kassie Ayers as District Classified Staff Member of the Year and Westwoodā€™s JJ Anderson as District Teacher of the Yearā€”who is driving into the new school year with a new ride from Ford of Dalton!
Special thanks to the Dalton Education Foundation, The Dalton Board of Education, and our amazing community partners for supporting our schools. Letā€™s make this school year one for the record books! šŸŒŸ


šŸ“–Read more about the Annual Employee Convocation here: https://www.daltonpublicschools.com/article/3053711

19 days ago, Communications Intern
The Park Creek Elementary School principal Brandon Headrick seen from behind in a red tailcoat stands on stage before a large crowd in a dark arena, with audience members holding up lit phone flashlights and the park creek mascot in the background.
A group of smiling educators dressed as carnival concessions workers walk in a line down an outdoor covered walkway. They wear red shirts, red-and-white striped aprons, paper diner hats, and carry pom-poms along with signs reading "CONCESSIONS" and "THE GREATEST SHOW IN EDUCATION."
A high-energy crowd wearing matching black t-shirts that read "WESTWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL THE GREATEST SCHOOL" cheers enthusiastically in bleachers. In the foreground, three women raise their arms with wide smiles and excited expressions while holding white foam light sticks and orange props. Surrounding fans cheer along, waving red inflatable thundersticks and light-up batons.
Deputy Superintendent Nick Sun in a bright red, gold-trimmed coat, top hat, and sunglasses points a cane directly toward the camera inside a crowded gymnasium. He wears a black shirt that reads "THE GREATEST SHOW IN EDUCATION" and carries a clipboard. Behind him, packed bleachers full of cheering teachers and staff hold signs, glow sticks, and pom-poms under red arena lighting.
A enthusiastic group of teachers and staff walk down an outdoor covered walkway holding school spirit signs. In front, several women hold a large brown paper banner that reads "BROOKWOOD where every student finds their spotlight!" in red marque-style lettering and black script. Behind them, staff members wave red foam fingers, pom-poms, and hold signs including one that reads "Every Student HAS A Spotlight!".
Jason Denson, the owner of Ford of Dalton, in a blue plaid suit coat, glasses, and blue trousers smiles as he speaks into a microphone while holding a large novelty key in a crowded gymnasium. The key features the Ford logo and reads "Dalton Teacher of the Year" in red outline lettering. In the background, audience members cheer from the bleachers beneath a large red "D" logo on the wall.
Three young students stand on a gym floor singing into microphones during an assembly. Two are wearing grey Hammond Creek t-shirts, and one in red glasses wears a red Hammond Creek Middle School shirt. To the left, the Hammond Creek tiger mascot wearing a small black top hat clasps its paws together with educator-packed bleachers visible in the background.
A cheerleader in a white tank top with a red "A" logo and red shorts smiles while raising a black pom-pom in a crowded gymnasium bleacher section. Beside her, a woman wearing a black fedora holds a handmade banner reading "We've got the magic", while other fans in black "PUMA NATION" shirts cheer, wave signs, and raise pom-poms in the background.
Superindendent Dr. Steven Craft in a light blue dress shirt, bright red tie, and headset microphone presents a large championship belt on a gymnasium floor. He holds papers in one hand, while red and white streamers hang from the ceiling above and audience members fill the bleachers in the background.
Principal Brandon Headrick dressed as a ringmaster in a black top hat, glasses, and an ornate red coat with gold embroidery high-fives Park Creek staff on a gymnasium floor. He smiles broadly while carrying a large championship belt under his arm, with a large red "D" logo visible on the gym wall behind him.
šŸ¾šŸˆ THE NFLā€™S HIGHEST-PAID RUNNING BACK IS A CATAMOUNT.

From the lights of Harmon Field to the biggest stage in football, Jahmyr Gibbs is still making history.

The former Dalton High School standout has agreed to a three-year, $67.5 million contract extension with the Detroit Lions, becoming the highest-paid running back in the NFL.

But before Sundays in Detroit, Gibbs was wearing the red and white of Dalton High School. He finished his Catamount career with 4,882 rushing yards and 70 touchdowns, including a remarkable senior season with 2,554 yards and 40 touchdowns.

From Dalton to Detroit, the journey continues ā€” and Catamount Nation couldnā€™t be prouder.

Congratulations, Jahmyr! Keep making Dalton proud. šŸ¾šŸˆ

#DaltonPublicSchools #DaltonHighSchool #Catamounts #JahmyrGibbs

šŸ“øChattanooga Times Free Press Staff Photo by Robin Rudd
20 days ago, Ashley Grycz
šŸ¾šŸˆ THE NFLā€™S HIGHEST-PAID RUNNING BACK IS A CATAMOUNT. From the lights of Harmon Field to the biggest stage in football, Jahmyr Gibbs is still making history. The former Dalton High School standout has agreed to a three-year, $67.5 million contract extension with the Detroit Lions, becoming the highest-paid running back in the NFL. But before Sundays in Detroit, Gibbs was wearing the red and white of Dalton High School. He finished his Catamount career with 4,882 rushing yards and 70 touchdowns, including a remarkable senior season with 2,554 yards and 40 touchdowns. From Dalton to Detroit, the journey continues ā€” and Catamount Nation couldnā€™t be prouder. Congratulations, Jahmyr! Keep making Dalton proud. šŸ¾šŸˆ #DaltonPublicSchools #DaltonHighSchool #Catamounts #JahmyrGibbs šŸ“øChattanooga Times Free Press Staff Photo by Robin Rudd