Dalton Public Schools

On June 29, 2020, Governor Kemp released an updated set of executive orders. You can read them at the links below.

Renewal of the Public Health State of Emergency

Empowering a Healthy Georgia

We never could have imagined all of the things that would happen this year. Now that we have officially closed out the 2019-2020 school for students and staff, we wanted to take a moment to look back and recognize all that we accomplished together. Thank you all for your hard work and support, we hope you have a great summer! #DaltonDifference

Click here to view the video.

The class of 2020 endured more hardships and changes than any other graduating class in recent history. Despite these difficulties, our seniors have risen to the challenges and finished out their high school careers strong. We are so proud of each and every DPS senior for their resilience and hard work.

Even though we were unable to gather for our traditional graduation ceremonies this year, both of our high schools came up with alternative ways to celebrate our graduates.

Dalton High School developed a drive-through graduation ceremony. This past week, students and families participated in a drive-through graduation at Harmon Field where the graduate walked across the stage, received their diploma and turned their tassel.

At Morris Innovative High School, graduates scheduled a 30-minute timeslot to come receive their diploma and take photos in their graduation regalia. Both of these alternative ceremonies were incredibly successful and momentous occasions for students and their families. While we remain hopeful that we will be able to celebrate with more traditional ceremonies in late July, we felt it was important to mark this significant achievement now for students and their families.

As these students graduate, they leave an impressive legacy at their respective schools. At Dalton High School, students received $1,554,886 in scholarships. Many students will be staying local and attending Dalton State College or Georgia Northwestern Technical College. However, we also have Dalton High students attending Berry, Berea, Auburn, Seton Hall University, Georgia Tech and many other colleges and universities across the country.

Nine students will graduate as candidates for the International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma, and 27 students will graduate as Advanced Placement (AP) Scholars. Three DHS students will join the military after graduation. One student was recognized as a Georgia Scholar.

Of the 60 graduates from Morris Innovative High School, 10 are honor graduates. Students received scholarships from the Rotary Club, Georgia Northwestern Technical College, Alpha Delta Kappa, the Dalton/Whitfield/Murray Retired Educators Association and the Dr. Jim and Nancy Hawkins Scholarship.

Morris had 15 students who completed at least one pathway and 3 students who dual-enrolled during their senior year.

One of the most incredible accomplishments of this senior class is their contribution to the Dalton community. Morris seniors totaled 4,280 hours of community service and at Dalton High 106 seniors completed at least 10 hours of community service. I am so proud of the way our students contribute to this community and help to make our world a better place.

As we send our graduates off into the world, we also have two administrators retiring from many years of service here at Dalton Public Schools. Cindy Parrot, principal of Roan School,

and Steve Bartoo, principal of Dalton High School, are both retiring after a combined total of 57 years working for Dalton Public Schools. They have been instrumental in the success of their schools and I wish them all the best in this new phase of their life.

Wrapping up this school year is certainly different than expected, but I remain proud of every student and staff member in our district for their hard work and commitment to excellence.

As we close the book on this unprecedented school year, many of us are already working on how we will have students and staff return to school. We are planning for the possibility of any of three scenarios: students physically present in the buildings, online digital learning, and a hybrid of both of those models with students rotating through the school on various days. Our district will continue to adhere to guidance provided by our local health department, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Georgia Department of Education and Governor Brian Kemp’s office.

I personally look forward to seeing what each of these graduates accomplish in the future in college, career and civic life. Congratulations to the Class of 2020 and best wishes on your future endeavors. To all of our students and staff members, enjoy your summer break! You’ve more than earned it!

Click here to view a special thank you message from the Board of Education.

In the midst of so much uncertainty in the world today, one positive has undoubtedly emerged: a new appreciation for teachers.

Most of us have always had a special teacher who stands out in our memory. The one teacher that made us feel special or pushed us to do our best work. But after the last month with schools closed and parents having to help their children as pseudo-teachers, I'm certain we all have a new appreciation of what a day in the classroom is really like for teachers.

Educators have always been superheroes. As a matter of fact, that was the theme of our district's opening staff convocation back in August. Who would have thought that our superheroes would be caught up in the battle with an invisible enemy like a global virus?

But in typical fashion, our educators quickly adapted to this challenge and began overcoming obstacles to reach out to their students to, not only continue the process of teaching and learning, but to make sure they were safe, supported, fed and healthy.

Teachers spent the first day of the school closure calling each of their students to see how they were doing and to find out how many did not have internet access. Our technology department along with our content and engagement team began to work on a way to provide access for about 300 families. Thankfully, we were able to partner with Dalton Utilities to help many of those families get wireless access for the student device.

But during this pandemic, are teachers really continuing to teach? Are students still learning? The answer to both questions is a resounding yes! Our teachers are working to prepare videos, assignments, activities, quizzes and discussions that students can access on Canvas, our learning management system. Teachers are also using Zoom to meet virtually with students to not only answer questions and provide academic assistance, but to ensure that students get the social/emotional support they need during this unprecedented time.

As a matter of fact, our district has almost 2,000 published courses available on Canvas. Currently, 90% of those courses are active with teachers and students enrolled and logging active time in the courses. Also, our active users report shows that we have 7,511 active students, 738 active teachers and 273 active observers (usually parents) who are using Canvas.

Our principals are spending much of their day on Zoom meetings with staff to provide support and continue the work of the professional learning communities with their teachers.

I've had several people tell me that they had no idea how much patience and energy it takes to teach their own children, much less a class of 20 students or more. The social media memes showing parents asking "Where do I call for a sub?" or "Homeschooled for two hours and one student has already been expelled" seem to be everywhere. All kidding aside, teaching is truly a calling and not just a job. We are fortunate in Dalton Public Schools to have exceptional teachers who are not only highly qualified but love students like they were their own.

Are there challenges with online learning? You bet! Teachers are people who love the personal relationships they develop with their class of students. Seeing students on a Zoom call or communicating with them using Canvas isn't the same for teachers who enjoy getting those hugs or fist bumps every morning. Teachers worry about students who are struggling, need special services or enrichment. Online learning isn't perfect, but I am confident that our students are receiving some of the best instruction and access to the digital resources in the state at this time.

The week of May 4-8 is Teacher Appreciation Week. I would like to ask our community to take time that week to remember the teachers, and all other educators, who are on the front lines of trying to educate our students. Our district is fortunate to have devices for students in second through twelfth grade and we've made many devices available to our students in kindergarten and first grade. We have invested in an incredible learning management system and high quality curriculum that have given our district a huge advantage over others in our state.

And most importantly, we are blessed to have some of the best educators in the country who are teaching and loving the children in Dalton. I hope you won't miss this opportunity to thank them.

- Superintendent Tim Scott

Grading/Graduation Guidance for DPS Families

School and district leaders have been in ongoing collaboration about how to approach grading during this unprecedented school closure. Extraordinary times require an extraordinary response. As we all feel our way through the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year, our efforts to ensure that we have met the academic needs of our students must be balanced against the social and emotional health of our students, their families, our faculties and staff and the acknowledgement that not all students have the same degree of access to learning and learning supports away from school.

GENERAL OVERALL GUIDANCE

Student work submitted during the school closure and graded (effective March 16) can be applied to a student’s overall grade/average, if it adds value to the student’s base grade/average as of March 13. No grade or final assessments given after March 13 will negatively impact a student’s base grade.

Not all work is designed to be graded but rather for reinforcement and practice of content and skills.

New standards will be introduced so that students will have an opportunity to have exposure to content that will help prepare them to begin the 2020 – 2021 school year.

Students should complete digital assignments and assessments as assigned.

Teachers will stop assigning new work on Friday, May 8. The week of May 11 – 15 is reserved for making up missed assignments and final assessments/projects/presentations.

Questions about grading or assignments should be directed to your student’s teacher(s).

GUIDANCE FOR HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS/ GRADES 6 – 12 STUDENTS

The Dalton Board of Education Policy IHF still stands for graduation requirements. Students must have earned 24 credits in order to earn a high school diploma. Transcripts and other documentation may be obtained as usual through your high school counseling office.

Seventy (70) is the minimum passing grade for all courses taught 6 – 12 and numerical credit will be recorded and maintained.

GUÍA PARA GRADOS/GRADUACIÓN PARA FAMILIAS DE DPS

Los líderes de las escuelas y del distrito han estado colaborando en cómo llegar a un acuerdo sobre grados durante este cierre de escuela sin precedente. Tiempos extraordinarios requieren una respuesta extraordinaria. Mientras avanzamos en lo que queda del año escolar 2019-2020 esperamos haber cumplido en nuestros esfuerzos de satisfacer las necesidades académicas de nuestros estudiantes al igual que la salud social y emocional de nuestros estudiantes, sus familias, y nuestra facultad. Tomando en cuenta que no todos nuestros estudiantes tienen el mismo acceso a aprendizaje y el apoyo académico en casa hemos decidido lo siguiente.

GUÍA EN GENERAL

Tareas de los estudiantes que han sido entregadas durante el cierro de las escuelas (efectivo el 16 de marzo) se podrá aplicar al promedio/grado del estudiante, si le agrega valor al grado base/promedio a partir del 13 de marzo. Ningún grado o evaluación que fue asignada después del 13 de marzo impactara negativamente el grado base del estudiante.

No todas las tareas son diseñadas para recibir un grado si no para reforzar la práctica del contenido y las habilidades.

Nuevos estándares serán introducidos para que los estudiantes tengan la oportunidad de ser expuestos al contenido que ayudara prepararlos para comenzar el año escolar 2020-2021.

Los estudiantes deben terminar e entregar tareas e evaluaciones digitales como sean asignadas.

Los maestros(as) dejaran de asignar nuevas tareas el viernes, 8 de mayo. La semana del 11 al 15 de mayo será reservada para entregar tareas que faltan y evaluaciones/proyectos/presentaciones finales.

Preguntas sobre grados o tareas deberán ser dirigidas a los maestros(as) de su(s) estudiante(s).

GUÍA PARA ESTUDIANTES DE ULITMO ANO/ GRADO DEL 6º AL 12º

La Póliza IHF de la Mesa Directiva de Educación de Dalton todavía queda en lugar sobre los requisitos de graduación. Estudiantes deberán tener 24 créditos en orden para recibir un diploma de la preparatoria. Los expedientes de grados y otra documentación pueden ser obtenidas por medio de la oficina de consejería.

Setenta (70) es el grado mínimo para pasar todos los cursos ensenados del 6º al 12º grado y el crédito numérico será grabado y mantenido.

On Thursday, March 26, 2020, Governor Kemp signed an Executive Order mandating school closure through Friday, April 24. Dalton Public Schools will observe this order and continue our digital learning plans as well as our student breakfast and lunch delivery program until that time.

In an effort to meet the needs of our students who rely on school meals, Dalton Public Schools will be providing breakfast and lunch at no cost to all children 18 and younger March 16-27th. Our school nutrition team will be preparing meals and traveling bus routes with drivers to distribute them. Bus drivers will follow their usual routes twice a day to distribute breakfast and lunch.

Click here for more information including the bus routes and the pick-up locations.

Children can pick up food from any location. You do not have to be enrolled at the school in order to get a meal. If you are visiting from another school district, you are eligible to receive meals in Dalton.

DPS will continue this service to our students should this closure extend beyond spring break (March 30th - April 3rd). Meals will not be served during Spring Break.

Throughout the coronavirus crisis, Dalton Public Schools has been committed to making decisions based on the most accurate and recent information available. Therefore, in light of Governor Kemp’s declaration on Saturday of an unprecedented public health emergency and the sharp increase in the confirmed number of statewide cases overnight, Dalton Public Schools will be closing all schools beginning Monday, March 16th through Friday, March 27th and implementing our Digital Learning Plan for all students.

Thank you for your support of our students, staff and schools during this unprecedented time.

Statement from State School Superintendent Richard Woods on COVID-19

“After being notified that an employee had been diagnosed with COVID-19 (coronavirus), Fulton County Schools made the decision to close all schools today and to make an announcement about next steps by 5 p.m. today. We support this decision and thank Superintendent Mike Looney for his leadership and for taking care to ensure students’ safety.

We are advising all Georgia school districts to continue following the guidance of the Georgia Department of Public Health and their local boards of health. At this time, school closures are not recommended for other areas.

All school districts should continue to take preventative measures, including providing ample time for students and staff to wash their hands and developing plans to continue student learning should your school district need to close for several days.

Parents should keep children who are sick at home – don’t send them to school. Teach your children to wash their hands with soap and water for 20 seconds and to stay at least three feet away from people who are sick.

Georgians can be confident the safety of our students is our first priority. I thank Governor Kemp for acting proactively to protect all Georgians. We will continue to work closely with him and with Public Health to ensure schools have the most up-to-date information, resources, and support regarding COVID-19."

The Georgia Department of Public Health has put together a PowerPoint with information and resources regarding COVID-19. To view this PowerPoint, click here:

GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH COVID-19 POWERPOINT

New Cases of COVID-19 Identified in Georgia

ATLANTA – There have been a number of developments overnight regarding COVID-19 in Georgia. Governor Kemp and DPH Commissioner Kathleen E. Toomey, M.D., M.P.H. want to remind all Georgians that the overall risk of COVID-19 to the general public remains low and there is no evidence of community spread of COVID-19 in Georgia at this time.

OVERNIGHT DEVELOPMENTS

The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have confirmed two additional cases of COVID-19 in Georgia. Testing was done by the CDC, prior to the Georgia Public Health Laboratory (GPHL) having the capacity to test for COVID-19.

One individual is from Cobb County and recently returned from Italy and is isolated at home. The other individual is from Fulton County and is hospitalized. The source of this individual’s exposure is unclear at this time.

Additionally, DPH is awaiting confirmatory testing on a presumptive positive test for COVID-19 in a resident of Gwinnett County. The initial testing was completed by GPHL March 6. The individual recently returned from Italy and was self-monitoring at home, and is now isolated at home.

CDC testing has confirmed the presumptive positive test for COVID-19 in a resident of Floyd County. The original testing was done by GPHL March 5. The individual is hospitalized.

“Federal and state officials continue to work closely together to conduct testing and determine the extent of exposure for confirmed cases of COVID-19. The risk to Georgians remains low. We ask Georgians to stay vigilant, utilize best practices to mitigate health risk, and remain calm,” said Governor Kemp.

“DPH is prepared to mitigate the spread of this virus in our state, and we are aggressively working to identify anyone who may have had contact with these individuals,” said Kathleen E. Toomey, M.D., M.P.H., DPH commissioner. “Despite these new cases, the overall risk of COVID-19 to the general public remains low; but each new case of COVID-19 in Georgia reinforces the fact we should all be practicing basic prevention measures that are extremely effective in limiting the spread of COVID-19 and all respiratory illnesses."

Basic Prevention

If you have recently traveled to areas where there are ongoing outbreaks of COVID-19 and develop fever with cough and shortness of breath within 14 days of your travel, or if you have had contact with someone who is suspected to have COVID-19, stay home and call your health care provider or local health department right away. Be sure to call before going to a doctor’s office, emergency room, or urgent care center and tell them about your recent travel and your symptoms.

For accurate and reliable information about COVID-19 log on to: dph.georgia.gov/novelcoronavirus or cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/index.html. Find answers to frequently asked questions at cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/index.html.

Dalton Public Schools takes the safety and wellbeing of all of our students and staff very seriously. As you may know, over the last several days the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has issued several statements regarding the need for Americans to prepare for the possibility of the Coronavirus(COVID-19) to spread in the United States. First identified in December in Wuhan, China, the Coronavirus is a respiratory illness. At this time, the CDC has said there is no reason from a clinical standpoint to be alarmed.

Our district has been in contact with the North Georgia Health District and is monitoring information from the CDC on preventative measures and the latest information on the situation. While the CDC reports that the immediate risk of this new virus to the American public is believed to be low at this time, everyone can do their part to help respond to this emerging public health threat.

As best practice for overall health and to prevent the spread of illness, the following steps should be taken by your and your children:

• Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol
• Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands
• Avoid contact with people who are sick
• Stay home when you are sick
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe

In addition, our schools are cleaned and disinfected daily as part of ongoing custodial services in the schools, which is another recommendation from the health department.

Dalton Public Schools will continue to follow all recommendations from federal, state and local entities concerning the Coronavirus. We will continue to update this page with any new information as it becomes available.