DEF Grants, Scholarships and Applications
Hints for Applying
BE SPECIFIC! If you need things to accomplish your idea, tell us exactly what you have in mind and how it will help you reach your goal:
- What kind of materials?
- What series of literature?
- What destination(s)?
- What kind of equipment?
PREPARE A REALISTIC BUDGET FOR YOUR IDEA
- Do your homework on proposal.
- Get the best estimates you can on what ideas will cost.
- Provide clarity of costs.
- Be sure your idea is not something:
- The Board of Education will fund.
- Your school budget covers.
- Covered by professional learning.
SELECT WHICH GRANT FOR WHICH YOU WILL APPLY. Pay attention to the purpose of each grant and make sure that your application fits that purpose.
FOCUS ON CHILDREN AND YOUTH
- How will your ideas engage students with interesting, challenging and satisfying work?
- It is not necessary to serve a large number of children to have a good proposal.
- It helps to show what group(s) may benefit
GIVE YOUR PROJECT A SHORT, EASY-TO-IDENTIFY TITLE A title that quickly summarizes your idea helps the Selection Committee. It also helps focus on the purpose of your project.
NAME SOMEONE WE CAN CONTACT FOR INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR PROPOSAL DEF Selection Committees may need to contact people for more information in the midst of a meeting. Help them reach you!
Tom Jones Educator of the Year Award
Nominations are now being accepted for the Tom Jones Educator of the Year award sponsored by the Dalton Education Foundation. The award is given every year to an educator in Dalton Public Schools who has made significant contributions to the education of children in Dalton and who symbolizes excellence in teaching.
The endowed award is named in memory of Tom Jones, a prominent Dalton businessman who served on the Dalton Board of Education for 26 years and was chairman from 1967 to 1986. The award was started in 1987. Jones, who was the co-founder of J&J Industries, was a native of Dalton and a product of Dalton Public Schools. He is fondly remembered as an avid supporter for Dalton and the school district.
Karen Lightbody Kirkman Piano/Music Scholarship
Click Here to Complete an Application
Purpose – The purpose of this scholarship is to encourage and enable promising piano and other instrument students in the Dalton Public Schools to pursue further music studies and to use that knowledge and those talents for the benefit of the community.
KAREN LIGHTBODY KIRKMAN, a very talented pianist and 1962 graduate of Dalton High School, donated her abilities countless times to our community through school, church, and other civic performances and accompaniment for many years. It was her wish that this scholarship help others to “take her place” by giving back to their communities through the gift of their musical talents. The family has chosen to expand the award to include piano and other instruments on an alternating year basis, one year in piano and the next year for any other instrument. This year, the award will be given in the area of piano. The award is need based and the funds go directly to pay for continued musical lessons.
Selection Process – The selection process consists of three steps: application, screening, and selection:
Application – The application consists of basic biographical information; a resume of the student’s musical study, performances, and experience; a repertoire list of what the student has played; a student questionnaire in which the student commits to use his/her talents for the community; two letters of recommendation regarding the student’s musical abilities and experience from two non-family members, including at least one from a Fine Arts Professional (one who spends at least fifty percent of his/her working hours teaching or performing in the arts); and an audition tape of the student performing two musical selections (at least one selection should be classical musical).
Screening – A screening committee will review all parts of the application and select no more than five finalists for the scholarship
Selection – Finalists will be expected to play two selections (can be the same or different from those submitted with application) for the judges in a closed audition environment. The judges will conduct a brief interview of each finalist during the audition timeslot.
Funding awarded to the winners will be used for continued music lessons and will be paid directly to the music instructor.
Timeline:
Application Deadline – Tuesday, August 15
Announce Finalists – Tuesday, August 22
Performance Auditions – Tuesday, September 12
Winner Announcement – Friday, September 15
Dale Cook Support Staff of the Year Award
Do you know a student support staff member in Dalton Public Schools who should be recognized for their hard work and passion for working in our schools to improve the opportunity for student learning by making 'school' a better place for our students?
Nominations are now being accepted for the Dale Cook Support Educator of the Year Award, which is sponsored by the Dalton Education Foundation, friends, and the family of Ms. Cook. This is a new award and will be given every year to a student support staff member in Dalton Public Schools who has made significant contributions to the educational opportunity of children in Dalton through their efforts to make the school a warm, safe, and caring place to learn. Student Support Staff member is defined as a non-certificated, non-classroom position at either the school or district level.
Click here for the nomination form!
These grants were awarded to Dalton Public Schools’ staff for innovative instructional designs so that educators are provided resources not otherwise available to them. Congratulations to each of the individuals/teams who were awarded these grants.
2023-24 Grants Awarded
| Grant: | Funded By: | Recipient: | School: |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Janice Meadows Grant for U.S. History |
Quilting Our History: Building community pride by honoring Dalton History |
Sarah Anderson |
Blue Ridge |
|
Rowena Martin Innovative Teaching |
Weather Together |
Cynthia Martinez |
Blue Ridge |
|
Tom Jones |
The Mighty Ukulele |
Elizabeth Parks |
Blue Ridge |
|
Rowena Martin Innovative Teaching |
Suckers for Succulents |
Jennifer Shupe |
Brookwood |
|
Rowena Martin Innovative Teaching |
The Future of STEM is Now |
Jennifer Barmore |
Brookwood |
|
Rowena Martin Innovative Teaching |
Game time for academic/social skills |
Kimberly Winkler |
Brookwood |
|
Rowena Martin Innovative Teaching |
Encaustics of the Invasive Species |
Renee Mahan |
Brookwood |
|
Tom Jones |
The Butterfly Project |
Kara Bryant |
Brookwood |
|
Tom Jones |
Let's Get Dehydrated |
Shea MacFadden |
Brookwood |
|
Tom Jones |
Good Vibes |
Lisa Cabero |
Brookwood |
|
Tom Jones |
There's a World Outside of Dalton |
Allison Chlebisch |
City Park |
|
Tom Jones |
Pawtastic Gymnastics at City Park |
Cora Fetzer |
City Park |
|
Rowena Martin Innovative Teaching |
Legos for Science Exploration |
Cara Crain |
Dalton High School |
|
Rowena Martin Innovative Teaching |
Ultimate Marching Cats |
Janna Pye |
Dalton High School |
|
Tom Jones |
Wax Foundations (Encaustic Painting in the South) |
Mat Sane |
Dalton High School |
|
Teacher's Wishlist |
Future Focused DHS Student Grant |
Rachel Cobb |
Dalton High School |
|
Rowena Martin Innovative Teaching |
Soil Production Lab |
Julie Triplett |
Dalton Junior High |
|
Tom Jones |
Carpe Libros: Seize the Books |
Megan Rebman |
Dalton Junior High |
|
Teacher's Wishlist |
Makerspace Supplies |
Beth Mashburn |
Dalton Junior High |
|
Rowena Martin Innovative Teaching |
Alfombras |
Jamie Gonzalez |
HCMS, DJHS and TDA |
|
Rowena Martin Innovative Teaching |
Lego Learning Zone |
Keri Kirby |
Hammond Creek |
|
Rowena Martin Innovative Teaching |
Collaborative Learning- Professional Workshops for Theatre Arts |
Meg Phinney |
Hammond Creek |
|
Rowena Martin Innovative Teaching |
Designing Culture |
Jamie Gonzalez |
Hammond Creek |
|
Rowena Martin Innovative Teaching |
Jumpstart-ing the HCMS Band |
Sara Webb |
Hammond Creek |
|
Tom Jones |
Stream Team |
Shell Croft |
Hammond Creek |
|
Teacher's Wishlist |
Hangin' with the HCMS Band |
Sara Webb |
Hammond Creek |
|
Rowena Martin Innovative Teaching |
Alfombras |
Jamie Gonzalez |
HCMS, DJHS and TDA |
|
Over |
HCMS Band Composition Commission |
Sara Webb |
Hammond Creek |
|
Rowena Martin Innovative Teaching |
Mobile Podcast Lab |
Jennifer Barmore |
Hammond Creek |
|
Teacher's Wishlist |
Strumming Along |
Wendy Norfleet |
Park Creek |
|
Teacher's Wishlist |
Gardening with STEM |
Carl Wilms |
Park Creek |
|
Teacher's Wishlist |
Life in Pieces |
Kay Dean |
Park Creek |
|
Janice Meadows Grant for U.S. History |
Panning for Gold |
Zach Miller |
Roan |
|
Teacher's Wishlist |
Creek Life |
Zach Miller |
Roan |
|
Teacher's Wishlist |
Musical Movement |
Camille Luckey |
Roan |
|
Rowena Martin Innovative Teaching |
Find and Listen: An Audio Storyteller's Scavenger Hunt |
Amanda Triplett |
The Dalton Academy |
|
Teacher's Wishlist |
Adulting 101 for seniors |
Dolores Carrillo |
The Dalton Academy |
|
Rowena Martin Innovative Teaching |
Alfombras |
Jamie Gonzalez |
HCMS, DJHS and TDA |
|
Tom Jones |
Let it Grow |
Molly Chitwood |
Westwood |
|
Tom Jones |
Ready, Set, Roll-Full Throttle |
Stacy Gante |
Westwood |
|
Teacher's Wishlist |
STEAMED! |
Martha Thomason |
Westwood |
Charles E. Bowen, Sr. Leadership and Service Grant
| Grants | Funded Amount |
| DHS Student Council | $2,000 |
| DMS Arts in the Community | $1,000 |
| MIHS FBLA | $1,826 |