Summer Reading Check-In!
We loved seeing what you’ve been reading—keep it going, Dalton! Whether you’re on your third novel or just cracking open your first, we want to hear all about it.
Tell us: Where and what are you reading? #DaltonReads
Need a fresh stack of stories? We’ve got you covered!
📍 Westwood School
🗓 Thursday, June 26
🕦 11:30 AM
🎉 FREE books for all ages at our next DaltonReads! Summer Book Giveaway
Comment a photo below – let’s keep turning those pages all summer long!
It’s officially Senior Spotlight season, and we couldn’t be more proud to shine a light on some of our recent graduates!
Today we’re featuring Dalton High School graduate, Kinsley Stephens.
Kinsley was an active member of the DHS Players Drama Club and served as the club’s Vice President her senior year. She was also the Catamount Singers choir’s soprano II section leader, a volunteer for the Buddy Program, and a member of the National Honor Society. Kinsley is proud of winning the 2025 Best Leading Actress award in the Georgia High School Musical Theatre Awards, having performed in Georgia Thespians Conference’s 2025 Linda P. Wise Closing Showcase, being a member of the Georgia Thespian Conference dance corps, being part of the 1st place Women’s Trio for Region Literary Competition in 2024, having been the 2025 Women's Solo Runner Up in Region Literary Competition, receiving the All-Star Cast award in Region One Act Competition in 2021, 2023, and 2024, and having been named outstanding Individual Performer Junior Theatre Festival in Sacramento, CA in 2024. Kinsley is ecstatic to be heading to New York this summer to participate in the nation wide musical theatre competition known as the Jimmy Awards. While there she will be representing Dalton High School and the state of Georgia alongside her fellow DHS graduate Hayden Poe. In the fall she will be attending attending the University of Montevallo and pursuing a major in musical theatre.
Way to go!
It’s officially Senior Spotlight season, and we couldn’t be more proud to shine a light on some of our recent graduates!
Today we’re featuring Dalton High School graduate, Hayden Poe.
Hayden was involved in the DHS Players drama program, the Catamount Singers choir as both tenor section leader and student director for two years, and was also the Dalton High School Catamount mascot for one season. Hayden is proud to have been a finalist for the Georgia Governors Honors program in vocal performance, a three time Shuler Award nominee for best actor, and to have been the winner two of those three times. He is excited to be returning to the Jimmy Awards in New York, representing Dalton High School alongside his friend and fellow graduating DHS student, Kinsley Stephens. Hayden will be attending Pace University in New York where he will major in musical theatre and pursue his passion for performing for others.
Way to go!
Two recent graduates of Dalton High School will be representing the state of Georgia in the Jimmy Awards National High School Musical Theatre Awards program next week!
On June 23, Kinsley Stephens and Hayden Poe will perform in Broadway’s Minskoff Theatre with performers representing regional awards programs across the country. Kinsley and Hayden were selected as the winners of Georgia’s Shuler Awards program for their roles as leading actress and actor in Dalton High School's production of Hadestown: Teen Edition.
Tune in Monday night at 7:30 on the primary YouTube stream, the ASL interpreted YouTube stream, or on Facebook.
Primary YouTube: https://youtube.com/live/XH8XSKQM7pI
ASL Interpreted YouTube: https://youtube.com/live/05nszWbzjuQ
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/24103204275986289/
🌧️ It may have been a rainy day, but that didn’t stop the smiles! The DaltonReads! book giveaway was a hit — we loved seeing so many happy faces walking away with free books.
📍 Catch us at the next giveaway: Thursday, June 26
🕦 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM
📍 Westwood School (708 Trammell Street)
#DaltonReads
Summer camps across Dalton are off to an amazing start!
From hands-on activities to team-building fun, students are staying engaged, developing new skills, and enjoying meaningful experiences all across our community!
Want to join the fun? Explore all upcoming camp opportunities and register today: https://www.daltonpublicschools.com/o/dps/page/summer-programs
It’s officially Senior Spotlight season, and we couldn’t be more proud to shine a light on some of our recent graduates!
Today we’re featuring The Dalton Academy graduate, Rosa Roman.
Rosa participated in Volleyball, Basketball, DECA, National Honors Society, HOSA, Translation Academy, and the Big Brothers Big Sisters program while attending The Dalton Academy. Her greatest achievements were being able to help around the community and becoming more socially active. She also enjoyed helping the community and making an impact on the next generation of students through the Big Brothers Big Sisters program. She also values having had the opportunity to help translate and improve her Spanish, while also helping people in the Hispanic community. She plans to attend Dalton State College to study radiology or to become an athletic trainer.
Way to go!
🛠️ Summer Renovation Spotlight: Roan School
While students are away, our incredible maintenance team is hard at work transforming our schools! First up in our summer series is Roan School, where major improvements are underway as part of the Renovations & Modifications Project. Crews are replacing the HVAC system, upgrading and replacing electrical systems, and revamping classrooms to better serve our students and staff. Stay tuned throughout the summer as we highlight more exciting updates across our district!
It’s officially Senior Spotlight season, and we couldn’t be more proud to shine a light on some of our recent graduates!
Today we’re featuring Dalton High School graduate, Tasneem Issa.
Tasneem was very actively involved in several organizations as a Dalton High School student, serving as the Executive Vice President of Student Council, President of Interact Club, Vice President of Hospitality for DECA, and Secretary of the National Honor Society. Additionally, she was a member of Beta Club, Fine Arts Academy, HOSA, and Pep Club. She is proud to have placed first in her DECA regional competition, advanced to the state level, and to have qualified for internationals. Additionally, she was honored as Dalton High School’s DAR Good Citizen, recognized as an AP Scholar with Distinction, and awarded the Rotary Youth Leadership Award. She will be attending Georgia Tech in the fall and majoring in biology in the hopes that she can continue to help others through her work.
Way to go!
It’s officially Senior Spotlight season, and we couldn’t be more proud to shine a light on some of our recent graduates!
Today we’re featuring The Dalton Academy graduate, Kiara Cespedes Bello.
Throughout her time as a TDA student, Kiara was actively involved in student council, served as HOSA vice president for two years, and was a member for the other two. She was also part of the National Honor Society for two years and participated in Big Brothers Big Sisters. She feels these experiences strengthened her leadership skills and passion for helping others. Her greatest accomplishment in high school was forming strong bonds with her friends, teachers, and mentors. She will be attending Kennesaw State University to study nursing with the goal of becoming a NICU nurse.
Way to go!
Deadline Approaching—Complete the Transportation Form!
Dalton Public Schools is planning bus routes for the 2025–2026 school year, and we need your input!
All families—whether your student will ride the bus or not—must complete the Transportation Intent Form by June 15, 2025.
Let us know if your student will ride the bus in the morning, afternoon, or both.
Students without a completed form may not be guaranteed a bus assignment on the first day of school, so submitting the form on time is important!
⏳ Don’t wait—forms submitted after June 15 could delay your student’s bus assignment.
📲 Complete the form here: https://dalton.iad1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_a5irwWXAaMrL5rM
🌐 Visit our transportation webpage for more details: https://www.daltonpublicschools.com/page/transportation-intent-2025
Exciting Beginnings at Dalton Public Schools!
We kicked off the Bright from the Start (BFTS) Rising Pre-K and Rising Kindergarten Summer Transition Program last week, welcoming eager young learners into three Rising Pre-K and three Rising Kindergarten classrooms.
Students explored their vibrant new learning environments, met their teachers and classmates, and took their first steps toward a successful school year. To make their first day extra special, they participated in a fun and imaginative in-school field trip—Drawing with Illustrator Adam Sanford—that sparked creativity and joy!
We’re proud to provide early learners with enriching experiences that build confidence and readiness for school. Here's to a fantastic summer of learning and growth!
It’s officially Senior Spotlight season, and we couldn’t be more proud to shine a light on some of our recent graduates!
Today we’re featuring Dalton High School graduate, German Santana.
While he was a student at Dalton High School German was involved in a multitude of clubs and extracurriculars including Student Council, Beta Club, Interact Club, Youth United Way Council, National Honor Society, Soccer for Success, varsity soccer, and cross country. His greatest achievements are winning the 2023 5A soccer state championship, being the Student body Executive President, and being an AP Scholar. German plans to attend the Georgia institute of Technology in pursuit of a biomedical engineering degree.
Way to go!
Where & What Are YOU Reading This Summer?
Whether you're flipping pages by the pool, diving into a story under a shady tree, or listening to audiobooks on a road trip—we want to know! Share your summer reads and let’s inspire each other to keep reading all break long. #DaltonReads
Need something new to read? Swing by one of our DaltonReads! Summer Book Giveaways and grab FREE books for grades K-12!
📍 Mack Gaston Community Center
🗓 Starting this Thursday, June 12
🕦 11:30 AM
Let’s make this a summer of stories. Comment below, and show us your current reads!
It’s officially Senior Spotlight season, and we couldn’t be more proud to shine a light on some of our recent graduates! Today we’re featuring Dalton High School graduate, Lanier Land.
Lanier’s list of accolades as a Dalton High School student includes being the Vice President of her Senior class, the President and Founder of Pep Club, Vice President of Interact Club, a member of the honors program, cheering for Varsity Football, playing Varsity Lacrosse, participating in Competition Cheerleading, performing with the Dance Theatre of Dalton, being on the United Way Youth Council, and being a member of Christ Church Presbyterian Youth Group.
She is proud to have been named Cheerleader of the Year for 4A-6A, to have danced the roles of Dewdrop and Spanish Pas de deux in Nutcracker ‘24, to have been a Top 10 Academic student all four years, and to have received the President’s Volunteer Service Award. In the fall, she will be attending the University of Florida where she plans to major in biology. She is aiming to pursue a medical career studying allergies.
Way to go!
Dalton High School Announces Head Lacrosse Coaches
Dalton, GA — Dalton High School is proud to announce the appointment of Jillian Mello and DJ Hutchinson as the new head coaches for the boys’ and girls’ lacrosse programs.
Coach DJ Hutchinson has been a driving force in local lacrosse since his youth. As a former standout player for Dalton High School, Hutchinson once held the single-game scoring record and still holds the program’s all-time goals and points records.
He continued his playing career at Reinhardt University, where he helped lead the team to two conference championships and two national titles. Hutchinson has several years of coaching experience in both club and community settings and was a member of Dalton’s first-ever lacrosse team. He now returns to lead the boys' program with a vision of building a competitive, high-character team.
Coach Jillian Mello brings impressive collegiate and coaching experience to the girls’ program. She began her NCAA Division I career at the University of Massachusetts Lowell before transferring to Reinhardt University, where she played a key role in securing the 2024 national championship.
Mello earned numerous accolades during her career, including 2023 AAC Offensive Player of the Year, three AAC First Team All-Conference honors, and two NAIA First Team All-American recognitions. After joining the Dalton Lacrosse staff as an assistant in 2025, she is now stepping into the head coach role, committed to guiding the program toward future success.
Dalton High School is excited to welcome Coach Hutchinson and Coach Mello into their new roles and looks forward to the continued growth and success of the lacrosse programs under their leadership.
https://www.daltonpublicschools.com/article/2254407
It’s officially Senior Spotlight season, and we couldn’t be more proud to shine a light on some of our recent graduates!
Today we’re featuring The Dalton Academy graduate, Jairo Alvarez.
Jairo played soccer at TDA for all four years, was involved with Big Brothers Big Sisters for a year, and was part of the translation academy as well. His two greatest achievements in high school were winning state in soccer his Freshmen year and making the honors list at Georgia Northwest Technical College.
Way to go!
It’s officially Senior Spotlight season, and we couldn’t be more proud to shine a light on some of our recent graduates!
Today we’re featuring Dalton High School graduate, Drew Snyder.
Drew participated in Varsity Basketball in ninth through twelfth grade, Varsity Football in ninth and tenth grade, Lacrosse, National Honor Society, Interact Club, and FCA while at Dalton High School. Drew is most proud of having made All-Region First Team 7-5A his junior year, All-Area First Team his junior year, receiving the Georgia Certificate of Merit, being named an All-Region Honorable Mention 7-4A in his senior year, and being a Dalton High School Scholar Athlete all four years. Drew will be attending the University of Georgia to study business and will choose a concentration later on in his studies.
Way to go!
It’s officially Senior Spotlight season, and we couldn’t be more proud to shine a light on some of our recent graduates!
Today we’re featuring Dalton High School graduate, Alexia Gonzalez.
Alexia participated in Student Council, Marching Band, and Varsity Basketball. She was a member of the Fine Arts Academy, Beta Club, and National Honors Society. She is most proud of winning Homecoming Queen, making it to final four in basketball, and winning region in basketball as well.
Way to go!
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!
