
Today, we celebrate the hardworking Maintenance and Operations Team that keeps our schools running smoothly! 🛠️ Thank you for your dedication to creating safe, clean, and welcoming learning environments for our students and staff.


Staff Spotlight: Brookwood School Counselor Allison Rogers and student-volunteers recently packed bags for the Helping Hands Ending Hunger program, which helps reduce food waste and provide nutritious meals to families in need. Many of our schools take part in this initiative, making a meaningful impact across our district!

Happy National School Social Work Week! Dalton Public Schools is proud to celebrate our incredible team of school social workers and the lasting impact they make on our students and families. We asked our social workers, ‘What do you find most fulfilling about your role?’ Here’s what one had to say: ⬇️


The Dalton Academy & Dalton High School have been named 2025 AP Honor Schools by the Georgia Department of Education!
🏆 Dalton High School: AP STEM School & AP Access and Support School
🏆 The Dalton Academy: AP Challenge School
This recognition highlights our commitment to providing students with rigorous, high-quality academic opportunities that prepare them for success in college, careers, and life!
🔗 Click here to read more: https://www.daltonpublicschools.com/article/2071240


Happy National School Social Work Week! Dalton Public Schools is proud to celebrate our incredible team of school social workers and the lasting impact they make on our students and families. We asked our social workers, ‘What do you find most fulfilling about your role?’ Here’s what one had to say: ⬇️


We are two weeks away from Pre-K Registration!
Is your child turning 4 years old on or before September 1, 2025? Then it's time to register them for pre-kindergarten classes for the upcoming school year!
Dalton Public Schools will have its annual pre-k registration event on Tuesday, March 18 from 7:30 AM - 6 PM and Wednesday, March 19 from 7:30 AM - 4:30 PM at the Mack Gaston Community Center.
Please bring the following items for your child:
- Proof of Immunizations (GA Form 3231)
- Eye, Ear, and Dental Certificate (GA Form 3300)
- Social Security Card
- Birth Certificate
- Proof of Address (Utility Bill in Parent's name and service address, or lease agreement)
- Medicaid or PeachCare Card (If Applicable)



Dalton Public Schools is proud to celebrate Read Across America Week from March 2–6. This week-long celebration highlights the joy of reading and the power it has to inspire, educate, and open doors to endless possibilities.
Reading builds knowledge, strengthens imagination, and lays the foundation for lifelong learning. In honor of the week, our Superintendent and other administration have visited classrooms to read to students and share their love of books.
Let’s make every week a reading week.









Happy National School Social Work Week! Dalton Public Schools is proud to celebrate our incredible team of school social workers and the lasting impact they make on our students and families. We asked our social workers, ‘What do you find most fulfilling about your role?’ Here’s what one had to say: ⬇️


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!


Happy National School Social Work Week! Dalton Public Schools is proud to celebrate our incredible team of school social workers and the lasting impact they make on our students and families. We asked our social workers, ‘What do you find most fulfilling about your role?’ Here’s what one had to say: ⬇️


Brookwood School recently celebrated Black History Month with an inspiring event featuring student showcases and special guest Chef Ben Green!
Chef Green, a Brookwood paraprofessional, parent, and owner of Sgood Catering, shared his passion for giving back and the significance of Black History Month. Students Kaysi Green, Kennleigh Stocks, and Doshon Richard also took the stage, presenting powerful research, poems, and reflections. It was a meaningful and memorable celebration! A special thank you to the educators who made this event possible.

It’s crunch time! Kindergarten registration closes on March 14, 2025—just days away! If your child will be 5 by September 1, 2025, now’s the time to sign them up for an unforgettable school year. Don’t wait—register today!



Students at Roan School recently brought history to life with a Black History Month-themed wax museum! Dressed as influential historical figures, they shared inspiring stories with fellow students and teachers.

Dalton Public Schools is proud to celebrate National School Social Work Week from March 2-8! Our incredible team of school social workers dedicates their time, heart, and expertise to supporting our students and families. Their work makes a lasting impact, ensuring students have the resources and encouragement they need to thrive. Join us in recognizing and appreciating these amazing professionals!


The Dalton High Players are ready to take the stage with "The Old Man and The Old Moon," a whimsical tale of love, adventure, and the power of storytelling! This play follows an old man who must abandon his duties of filling the moon with light to embark on an epic journey across land and sea in search of his missing wife.
Don't miss this magical production filled with music and imagination! Performances are set for Friday at 7 p.m. and Saturday at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tickets can be purchased in advance at dhsplayers.ludus.com or at the door (cash only). Come out and support these talented students!

Dalton Public Schools Celebrates Black History Month: Spotlight on Yolonda Jefferson-Perry
In honor of Black History Month, Dalton Public Schools is highlighting educators who inspire and uplift their students every day. Yolonda Jefferson-Perry, a 5th-grade literacy teacher at City Park School, is passionate about fostering a love for learning and creating opportunities for all students. In addition to teaching, she has worked with City Park’s Soccer Club for the past three years, helping students develop teamwork and confidence beyond the classroom.
Jefferson-Perry’s journey is deeply rooted in the values of education and perseverance. “I was raised in a family that values and believes in education,” she shares. “There was no doubt that I would pursue higher education.” Her family’s commitment to learning spans generations, with many attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) across the country. As a graduate of Albany State University, she found a strong sense of belonging. “For the first time, I had truly seen how diverse the Black culture was,” she recalls.
For Jefferson-Perry, Black History Month is a time to honor the past while educating future generations. “It is a way to celebrate the accomplishments of our ancestors and their struggles to ensure that our lives would be different from theirs,” she explains. She celebrates by sharing her family’s history, researching Black historical contributions, and watching Black cinema. She hopes to inspire her students with the same message her parents instilled in her: “Never give up, stay focused, and don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t achieve it.”
As she reflects on this month, Jefferson-Perry leaves a powerful reminder: “With our future ahead of us and the ancestors beside us, THERE'S NOTHING WE CAN'T DO!”


Dalton Public Schools is proud to announce the appointment of Heather Lawson as the new principal of Hammond Creek Middle School, beginning with the 2025-2026 school year.
Lawson brings 24 years of experience in education, with a strong background in instructional leadership and curriculum development. She has served as the assistant principal at Hammond Creek Middle School since 2016, where she has overseen scheduling, multilingual programming, and literacy and social studies instruction.
Prior to her leadership role, she spent over a decade as a seventh-grade social studies instructor at Dalton Middle School, where she also served as department chair, professional development leader, and curriculum editor.
A dedicated instructional leader, Lawson holds a Specialist and Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Lincoln Memorial University. She is certified in Educational Leadership (Tier II), ESOL, Broad Field Social Studies, Gifted Education, and Middle Grades Language Arts.
Superintendent Dr. Steven Craft expressed his enthusiasm for Lawson’s leadership, stating, “Heather Lawson’s deep commitment to student success and her proven ability to support teachers and staff make her an excellent choice to lead Hammond Creek Middle School. We are excited to have her as principal and look forward to the positive impact she will continue to have on our students and community.”
Lawson will officially step into her new role in July 2025.


On Tuesday, February 25, Dalton High School's STAR Student, CenCen Wan, and STAR Teacher, Matt Harris, were honored at the 2025 PAGE Region One STAR Banquet at Georgia Northwestern Technical College (GNTC). Hosted by Calhoun City Schools and the Gordon County Chamber of Commerce, the banquet recognized outstanding students and teachers from 22 schools across Northwest Georgia.
Although The Dalton Academy’s STAR Student, Aracely Calderon, and STAR Teacher, Cynthia Wiggins, were unable to attend the event, they were also recognized for their outstanding achievements.
A huge congratulations to Isa Wan and Matt Harris for being named Regional STAR Winners—they’re now advancing to the State STAR Student Event in April!






Dalton Public Schools is honored to join our Believe Greater Dalton partners in receiving the inaugural Georgia Reads Community Award and a $25,000 literacy grant at Georgia Reads Day at the State Capitol. This esteemed recognition celebrates our community’s united efforts to improve literacy outcomes for students across Dalton and Whitfield County.
Through initiatives like Dalton Reads!, DPS is working hand in hand with Believe Greater Dalton, Whitfield County Schools, and local organizations to provide the resources and support necessary to help every child develop strong reading skills.
We are proud to continue this vital work and deeply appreciate the community partnerships that make it all possible. Together, we are building a brighter future—one reader at a time!
#DaltonReads

Don’t forget! All Dalton Public Schools students will be dismissed early tomorrow, Friday, February 28, 2025, for The Dalton Academy’s Homecoming celebration!
Plan ahead and enjoy the festivities!
📅 Early Dismissal – Friday, Feb. 28
🔗 Full Homecoming details: https://www.daltonpublicschools.com/article/2022148
