Dalton Public Schools is proud to announce that Antonella Colmenarez, an 8th grade student-athlete, has been named the first-ever recipient of the Lance Sotelo Award.
Presented by Chuy and Jeanne Sotelo, this award recognizes a Track and Field athlete who exemplifies outstanding work ethic, dedication to their team, and a strong determination to continue their journey in the sport. The award was established in memory of Dalton Public Schools alumnus Lance Sotelo and will continue to be presented to future student-athletes who embody these same qualities.
Read more about the Lance Sotelo Award: https://www.daltonpublicschools.com/article/2801403
Presented by Chuy and Jeanne Sotelo, this award recognizes a Track and Field athlete who exemplifies outstanding work ethic, dedication to their team, and a strong determination to continue their journey in the sport. The award was established in memory of Dalton Public Schools alumnus Lance Sotelo and will continue to be presented to future student-athletes who embody these same qualities.
Read more about the Lance Sotelo Award: https://www.daltonpublicschools.com/article/2801403
Dalton Public Schools is celebrating National Occupational Therapy Month!
We are so grateful for the incredible impact our occupational therapists have on our students every single day. Thank you for your dedication, compassion, and commitment to helping every child succeed!
š Help us celebrate our amazing team:
ā¢ Tracy Morrison, Occupational Therapist
ā¢ Fidela Mendiola, Occupational Therapist
ā¢ Rebecca Stanley, Occupational Therapist
ā¢ Stacy Bean Crosby, Occupational Therapist
ā¢ Donna Haynes, Occupational Therapy Assistant
ā¢ Madeline Lovell, Occupational Therapist
ā¢ Stephanie Lord, Occupational Therapist
ā¢ Sierra Logan, Occupational Therapist
We are so grateful for the incredible impact our occupational therapists have on our students every single day. Thank you for your dedication, compassion, and commitment to helping every child succeed!
š Help us celebrate our amazing team:
ā¢ Tracy Morrison, Occupational Therapist
ā¢ Fidela Mendiola, Occupational Therapist
ā¢ Rebecca Stanley, Occupational Therapist
ā¢ Stacy Bean Crosby, Occupational Therapist
ā¢ Donna Haynes, Occupational Therapy Assistant
ā¢ Madeline Lovell, Occupational Therapist
ā¢ Stephanie Lord, Occupational Therapist
ā¢ Sierra Logan, Occupational Therapist
Meet the DPS Cabinet | Spring 2026 āØ
Our cabinet members play an essential role in supporting our schools, working behind the scenes to ensure students, staff, and families have what they need to succeed.
Weāre starting by highlighting Deputy Superintendent Nick Sun and the work he does to support day-to-day operations across the district.
We asked Mr. Sun a few questions about his role, what he enjoys most about Dalton Public Schools, and a little about who he is outside of work. Hereās what he had to say š
"I have the honor of being the Deputy Superintendent for Dalton Public Schools. I serve Dalton Public Schools by helping our schools and staff do their best work every day. I work with district leaders, principals, and the community to support students, solve problems, and keep things running smoothly. My focus is making sure our schools are safe, supportive, and set up so every student and staff member can succeed."
"What I enjoy most about working in Dalton Public Schools is the people. I value the strong sense of community and the dedication I see from our staff, students, and families every day. Itās rewarding to be part of a team that truly cares about helping students succeed and making a positive difference in their lives."
"Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my beautiful wife, Lindsay, and our two boys, Collin and Griffin. Most of my favorite moments are simply being at home with my family. I love watching my kidsā activities and staying busy keeping up with our familyās schedule. When I get the chance, I enjoy fishing and occasionally playing a round of golf. I also like watching most sports, attending plays and musicals, and listening to all types of music."
Our cabinet members play an essential role in supporting our schools, working behind the scenes to ensure students, staff, and families have what they need to succeed.
Weāre starting by highlighting Deputy Superintendent Nick Sun and the work he does to support day-to-day operations across the district.
We asked Mr. Sun a few questions about his role, what he enjoys most about Dalton Public Schools, and a little about who he is outside of work. Hereās what he had to say š
"I have the honor of being the Deputy Superintendent for Dalton Public Schools. I serve Dalton Public Schools by helping our schools and staff do their best work every day. I work with district leaders, principals, and the community to support students, solve problems, and keep things running smoothly. My focus is making sure our schools are safe, supportive, and set up so every student and staff member can succeed."
"What I enjoy most about working in Dalton Public Schools is the people. I value the strong sense of community and the dedication I see from our staff, students, and families every day. Itās rewarding to be part of a team that truly cares about helping students succeed and making a positive difference in their lives."
"Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my beautiful wife, Lindsay, and our two boys, Collin and Griffin. Most of my favorite moments are simply being at home with my family. I love watching my kidsā activities and staying busy keeping up with our familyās schedule. When I get the chance, I enjoy fishing and occasionally playing a round of golf. I also like watching most sports, attending plays and musicals, and listening to all types of music."
Today, we celebrate and thank our incredible paraprofessionals for their dedication, hard work, and support in our schools!š Your impact on students and teachers is truly invaluable. Happy National Paraprofessional Appreciation Day!
In celebration of Womenās History Month, students at City Park School engaged in meaningful lessons honoring the impact and achievements of women throughout history.ā¤āØ
First grade teacher Rigo Gonzalez led his students through a month-long exploration of influential women from around the world, helping them connect past accomplishments to present-day inspiration. The unit culminated in City Parkās annual Womenās March, where students proudly celebrated and recognized the contributions of women across generations. #LearnLeadSucceed
First grade teacher Rigo Gonzalez led his students through a month-long exploration of influential women from around the world, helping them connect past accomplishments to present-day inspiration. The unit culminated in City Parkās annual Womenās March, where students proudly celebrated and recognized the contributions of women across generations. #LearnLeadSucceed
Dalton Public Schools is proud to announce that Brookwood Elementary School has renewed its Georgia Department of Education STEM Certification, reaffirming its commitment to innovative, student-centered learning. From hands-on classroom experiences to real-world partnerships, Brookwood continues to provide meaningful STEM opportunities that inspire curiosity, critical thinking, and problem-solving in every student.
š Read more about Brookwoodās continued impact and STEM journey: https://www.daltonpublicschools.com/article/2797189
š Read more about Brookwoodās continued impact and STEM journey: https://www.daltonpublicschools.com/article/2797189
Classroom Spotlight: In Crystal Torresā classroom at Blue Ridge School, students are diving into hands-on science by exploring different types of reactions. Through a class lab, they mixed baking soda and vinegar to observe a chemical reaction, and combined sugar and water to compare how each mixture behaved.
Little Cats Pop-Up Classes š¾
Our Little Cats program recently hosted its second Pop-Up Class, giving future students a fun, hands-on preview of learning through play! Students explored rainforest animals through storytime, built vocabulary, and participated in engaging STEM and math activitiesālike creating lion puppets and working with shapes to strengthen fine motor and pre-writing skills.
Families are invited to join us for the final Pop-Up Class:
š April 22
ā° 12:30ā2:30 p.m.
š Beechland Resource Center
These sessions are designed for children who will be 3 years old by September 1, 2026 and offer a great introduction to the Little Cats Program.
Our Little Cats program recently hosted its second Pop-Up Class, giving future students a fun, hands-on preview of learning through play! Students explored rainforest animals through storytime, built vocabulary, and participated in engaging STEM and math activitiesālike creating lion puppets and working with shapes to strengthen fine motor and pre-writing skills.
Families are invited to join us for the final Pop-Up Class:
š April 22
ā° 12:30ā2:30 p.m.
š Beechland Resource Center
These sessions are designed for children who will be 3 years old by September 1, 2026 and offer a great introduction to the Little Cats Program.
Spring Break Holiday Reminder:
š Friday - Friday: April 3 - April 10: Spring Break Holiday
š Monday, April 13: Return to School
Thank you for planning ahead!
š Friday - Friday: April 3 - April 10: Spring Break Holiday
š Monday, April 13: Return to School
Thank you for planning ahead!
š¶ā½ Encore! On Friday, our District Elementary Honor Chorus took the field to perform the National Anthem at the Dalton High School Catamountsā soccer game.
Weāre proud to see students across our schools sharing their talents and representing Dalton Public Schools so well.
Weāre proud to see students across our schools sharing their talents and representing Dalton Public Schools so well.
Dalton Public Schools is proud to welcome students and teachers from the Helmut-Rau Schule in Mainhardt, Baden-WĆ¼rttemberg, Germany!
Over the past two weeks, these visitors have been hosted by our 6th, 7th, and 8th Grade German Immersion students at Hammond Creek and Dalton Junior Highābuilding meaningful connections across cultures and classrooms.
On Friday, Brookwoodās Kā5 students had the exciting opportunity to host thirteen students and two teachers for a full day of hands-on learning and fun. From transplanting milkweed in Kindergarten and planning garden plots in first grade, to spelling practice, games, reading, and collaborative activities across grade levelsāour BW Lions made the day unforgettable. The highlight? Trapping turtles alongside fourth grade teachers at Lake Shore!
Thank you to our new friends from Helmut-Rau Schule for sharing this special experience with us. We hope you had as much fun as we did!
Over the past two weeks, these visitors have been hosted by our 6th, 7th, and 8th Grade German Immersion students at Hammond Creek and Dalton Junior Highābuilding meaningful connections across cultures and classrooms.
On Friday, Brookwoodās Kā5 students had the exciting opportunity to host thirteen students and two teachers for a full day of hands-on learning and fun. From transplanting milkweed in Kindergarten and planning garden plots in first grade, to spelling practice, games, reading, and collaborative activities across grade levelsāour BW Lions made the day unforgettable. The highlight? Trapping turtles alongside fourth grade teachers at Lake Shore!
Thank you to our new friends from Helmut-Rau Schule for sharing this special experience with us. We hope you had as much fun as we did!
š¶ā½ Earlier this week, the Westwood Wildcat Chorus performed the National Anthem at The Dalton Academy Pumasā soccer game.
Weāre proud of these students for representing their school and sharing their talents with the community!
Weāre proud of these students for representing their school and sharing their talents with the community!
Save the Date! š
Join us in celebrating the Class of 2026!
š The Dalton Academy ā May 20 at 7:00 PM | The Dalton Stadium
š Dalton High School ā May 21 at 7:00 PM | Harmon Field
Join us in celebrating the Class of 2026!
š The Dalton Academy ā May 20 at 7:00 PM | The Dalton Stadium
š Dalton High School ā May 21 at 7:00 PM | Harmon Field
Dalton Reads AND Writes!āļøāØ
Dalton Public Schools held its annual Young Georgia Authors celebration on Wednesday, March 25, at Hammond Creek Middle School. Students from across the district were recognized for their outstanding writing achievements during the event, which honored winners at the school, district, and Northwest Georgia RESA (Regional Educational Service Agency) levels.
The Young Georgia Authors (YGA) writing competition encourages students from kindergarten through 12th grade to develop their writing skills and express their creativity. School-level winners were recognized first, followed by district winners, and finally the Northwest Georgia RESA winners. Students who earned RESA honors will advance to the state-level competition, which will take place next month.
Read more: https://www.daltonpublicschools.com/article/2785744
Dalton Public Schools held its annual Young Georgia Authors celebration on Wednesday, March 25, at Hammond Creek Middle School. Students from across the district were recognized for their outstanding writing achievements during the event, which honored winners at the school, district, and Northwest Georgia RESA (Regional Educational Service Agency) levels.
The Young Georgia Authors (YGA) writing competition encourages students from kindergarten through 12th grade to develop their writing skills and express their creativity. School-level winners were recognized first, followed by district winners, and finally the Northwest Georgia RESA winners. Students who earned RESA honors will advance to the state-level competition, which will take place next month.
Read more: https://www.daltonpublicschools.com/article/2785744
Classroom Spotlight āØStudents in Maria Rodriguezās classroom at Westwood School are building their money skills in a fun and interactive way! Recently, they practiced identifying coins by playing a memory game, matching each coin to its value.
Reminder: Spring Enrollment Event is This Thursday!
Dalton Public Schools will host its Spring Enrollment Event on Thursday, March 26, from 7:30 AM ā 4:30 PM at 101 N Thornton Ave, Suite 100.
This event is for:
ā¢ Families new to Dalton Public Schools
ā¢ Current elementary students requesting a transfer
ā¢ High school students (grades 9ā11) interested in transferring within DPS
ā ļø Please note: Rising 9th grade students are not eligible to attend this event.
ā ļø Important Reminder:
Students currently enrolled under an approved Out-of-Zone, Out-of-District, or Out-of-State contract do not need to reapply unless the contract has been revoked.
Pre-K students currently enrolled under these agreements must apply for Kindergarten for the 2026ā2027 school year.
š Learn more: https://www.daltonpublicschools.com/article/2751320
Dalton Public Schools will host its Spring Enrollment Event on Thursday, March 26, from 7:30 AM ā 4:30 PM at 101 N Thornton Ave, Suite 100.
This event is for:
ā¢ Families new to Dalton Public Schools
ā¢ Current elementary students requesting a transfer
ā¢ High school students (grades 9ā11) interested in transferring within DPS
ā ļø Please note: Rising 9th grade students are not eligible to attend this event.
ā ļø Important Reminder:
Students currently enrolled under an approved Out-of-Zone, Out-of-District, or Out-of-State contract do not need to reapply unless the contract has been revoked.
Pre-K students currently enrolled under these agreements must apply for Kindergarten for the 2026ā2027 school year.
š Learn more: https://www.daltonpublicschools.com/article/2751320
Spring Break Holiday Reminder:
š Friday - Friday: April 3 - April 10: Spring Break Holiday
š Monday, April 13: Return to School
Thank you for planning ahead!
š Friday - Friday: April 3 - April 10: Spring Break Holiday
š Monday, April 13: Return to School
Thank you for planning ahead!
The Elementary Soccer Championship was a huge success! ā½Students from all six elementary schools showed off their skills in an exciting competition. A big thank you to the officials, teachers, staff, and student volunteers who made this tournament possible!
Our commitment to Dalton goes beyond the classroom. As we prepare the 2026ā2027 budget, Dalton Public Schools is working to balance student needs with responsible financial planning and a continued focus on our community.
READ MORE: https://www.daltonpublicschools.com/article/2775484
READ MORE: https://www.daltonpublicschools.com/article/2775484
Students in the 3DE program at The Dalton Academy put their creativity and entrepreneurial mindset on display during todayās Market Square event. As part of the challenge, they designed their own businesses and products to sell, gaining hands-on, real-world experience. Many students even sold out of their items! #LearnLeadSucceed
