Itās officially Senior Spotlight season, and we couldnāt be more proud to shine a light on some of our upcoming graduates!
Today weāre featuring Dalton High School senior Shepherd McKeehan!
During his time at Dalton High School, Shepherd McKeehan excelled academically while remaining deeply committed to his craft, ultimately pursuing his passion for entertaining others, all while growing immensely as an individual. He earned recognition as an AP Scholar by scoring a 3 or higher on at least three Advanced Placement exams, an achievement held by only approximately 10% of graduating seniors nationwide. In addition to being a member of service-based organizations such as Beta Club, Shepherd dedicated himself to his artistic pursuits as an active member of the DHS Drama Club and Catamount Singers. He participated in numerous theater productions throughout his high school career, including his part in the award-winning ensemble of Dalton High Schoolās 2025 production of Hadestown. Outside of school, Shepherd took part in the Georgia High School Musical Theatre Awards ensemble on three separate occasions, successfully passing a rigorous audition process and earning the opportunity to perform alongside some of the top performers in the state on live television, an achievement he is especially proud of. Shepherd plans to continue his education at Kennesaw State University, majoring in Musical Theatre and Dance. Ultimately, Shepherd shined not only in the classroom but also on the stage, and we look forward to seeing where his talent and dedication take him next.
Way to go!

In āVoices of Dalton,ā students Sophia Hernandez-Lopez, Ayowolemi Ilesanmi, Brandt Bowers and Tucker Rewis highlight what makes Dalton special, from community pride and culture to connection and belonging.
In āNew Beginnings: One Familyās Story,ā Sofia Hernandez-Lopez shares a meaningful story about family, resilience and the courage it takes to start a new chapter.
We are so proud to see our studentsā voices and storytelling featured on a statewide platform through GPBās Student Voices Collective!
Read and listen here:
Voices of Dalton: https://www.gpb.org/blogs/student-voices-collective/2026/04/30/hammond-creek-middle-school-voices-of-dalton-students
New Beginnings: One Familyās Story: https://www.gpb.org/blogs/student-voices-collective/2026/05/07/hammond-creek-middle-school-new-beginnings-one-familys

Today weāre featuring Cyber Academy senior Brianna HallQuintero!
Brianna HallQuintero was not only an observant student who cared deeply for her peers and teachers, but also a resilient member of the Cyber Academy whose graduation represents far more than a diploma. After unexpectedly losing her brother during her junior year of high school, many aspects of Briannaās everyday life became overwhelming. However, with the support of dedicated teachers like Katie Sloan and a desire to honor her brother's legacy, Brianna committed herself to her education, where every completed assignment, test, and school day became a quiet victory. Ultimately, she states that making it to graduation is her greatest achievement, as it represents not only academic success but emotional strength and personal growth. Brianna plans to pursue a career in healthcare, allowing her to follow her passion for helping those who need it most. Briannaās high school journey is a powerful reflection of strength and perseverance. We are incredibly proud to have her as a member of the Dalton Public Schools community and look forward to seeing where her hard work takes her in the future.
Way to go!

From investigating exhibits to practicing problem-solving, communication, observation, and curiosity, our youngest learners brought GELDS-aligned learning to life in meaningful ways. The day ended with a visit to Coolidge Park, where many students experienced their very first carousel ride while making real-world connections to simple machines and motion.
It was a joyful, memorable day of discovery for our Little Cats, their families, and staff! #DaltonPublicSchools #LearnLeadSucceed










This month, we celebrate our incredible RBT team and behavior support staff, including Alison Johnson, Morgan Hamby, Keen Johnson, Sendy Favela, Monica Gardner and Heather Lopez, for the unwavering support they provide to students and teachers every day.
Their commitment to serving students with the highest levels of need reflects the very best of Dalton Public Schools.
š Read more about the April Game Ball Winners: https://www.daltonpublicschools.com/article/2842611
At Dalton Public Schools, weāre incredibly proud of our team of school communicators who go above and beyond each day! Not only do they shine in their regular roles, but they also serve as dedicated Webmasters and Publicists, ensuring our families stay informed and connected. Whether itās highlighting student success, sharing school events, or showcasing the everyday magic happening in our classrooms ā they make it happen!
Help us celebrate this awesome team:
Anna Collins ā Blue Ridge School
Emily Carpenter ā Brookwood School
Hannah Talley ā City Park School
Hannah Higgins ā Park Creek School
Jerre Leonard & Emily Elliott ā Roan School
Gaby Hefner ā Westwood School
Keri Faw ā Hammond Creek Middle School
Beth Mashburn ā Dalton Junior High School
Julia Cagle ā The Dalton Academy
Melanie Patrick ā Dalton High School
Ashley Grycz, Cindy Hernandez, Andrea Marsh, & Kendra Pannell ā Dalton Public Schools
Thank you for your creativity, dedication, and for telling the stories that make DPS shine!







Happy School Communicators Day! (Part 2!)
At Dalton Public Schools, weāre incredibly proud of our team of school communicators who go above and beyond each day! Not only do they shine in their regular roles, but they also serve as dedicated Webmasters and Publicists, ensuring our families stay informed and connected. Whether itās highlighting student success, sharing school events, or showcasing the everyday magic happening in our classrooms ā they make it happen!
Help us celebrate this awesome team:
Anna Collins ā Blue Ridge School
Emily Carpenter ā Brookwood School
Hannah Talley ā City Park School
Hannah Higgins ā Park Creek School
Jerre Leonard & Emily Elliott ā Roan School
Gaby Hefner ā Westwood School
Keri Faw ā Hammond Creek Middle School
Beth Mashburn ā Dalton Junior High School
Julia Cagle ā The Dalton Academy
Melanie Patrick ā Dalton High School
Ashley Grycz, Cindy Hernandez, Andrea Marsh, & Kendra Pannell ā Dalton Public Schools
Thank you for your creativity, dedication, and for telling the stories that make DPS shine!








Currently, the Canvas website is completely down and inoperable for students, parents, and teachers.
Please know that the cyber incident involved the third-party Canvas software program, not the technology infrastructure of Dalton Public Schools. According to the vendor (Instructure), student passwords, social security numbers, and financial information were not involved. However, some limited user information ā such as names, email addresses, school assignments, and internal Canvas messages ā may have been involved. Dalton Public Schools does not share social security numbers or financial data with Canvas, so please be assured that your studentās most sensitive information has not been compromised.
We are continuing to work with appropriate investigative and law enforcement agencies as additional information becomes available.
Our district technology, teaching and learning, and administrative teams are working to identify alternate instructional plans to minimize disruption while Canvas remains unavailable.
We understand that this situation may be concerning and appreciate your patience as we work through it. Our team is closely monitoring updates from the vendor and will continue to keep you informed as we learn more.
For more information and updates, please visit: http://daltonpublicschools.com/instructure


Itās officially Senior Spotlight season, and we couldnāt be more proud to shine a light on some of our upcoming graduates!
Today weāre featuring Dalton Academy senior Samantha Gonzalez!
During her time at The Dalton Academy, Samantha not only excelled academically but also made a lasting impact on those in her community by leading with kindness and intention. She was involved in several career-focused and service-based organizations, including HOSA, FCCLA, DECA, 3DE, Junior Civitan, and the National Honor Society. Within her school, she also worked diligently to complete both the sports medicine and entrepreneurship pathways. Beyond school organizations, Samantha participated in multiple meaningful community efforts, such as blood donation drives and volunteering at the Humane Society. One of her greatest achievements was winning a challenge through 3DE by Junior Achievement in partnership with Believe Greater Dalton. Her project focused on improving and promoting Future Fest in an effort to increase student engagement. She is currently enrolled at Dalton State College through the school Dual Enrollment program. She plans to complete her core classes before transferring to a university to pursue a degree in pediatrics, fueled by her desire to care for others. Ultimately, Samantha is most proud of the positive impact she has made through her volunteering and service. We are incredibly proud of Samantha and all her efforts to care for her community, and we know she will continue to make an even greater impact in the future.
Way to go!

The 40 Owls Under 40 program recognizes alumni under the age of 40 who are making significant impacts in their professions and communities.
Since joining Dalton Public Schools in 2024, Pannell has elevated the districtās communications and branding efforts through innovative storytelling, strategic marketing, crisis communications, and community engagement initiatives that continue to strengthen the districtās connection with students, staff, families, and stakeholders.
Recognized as one of Georgiaās leading school communicators, Pannell has earned numerous state and national honors for excellence in communications, branding, publications, photography, and digital media.
READ MORE: https://www.daltonpublicschools.com/article/2868925

Itās officially Senior Spotlight season, and we couldnāt be more proud to shine a light on some of our upcoming graduates!
Today weāre featuring Dalton High School senior, Xander Sane!
During his time at Dalton High School, Xander demonstrated academic excellence while pursuing his unique passions with vigor. He was an active member of the Dalton High School Marching Band, a District Honors Band member, and a member of the Atlanta CV Drum Corps after his 10th-grade yearāan achievement he is immensely proud of. Alongside his artistic pursuits, Xander earned the honor of AP Scholar with Distinction by scoring a 3 or higher on at least five Advanced Placement exams, an honor achieved by approximately 4% of graduating seniors nationwide. In addition, he was a member of the Dalton High School varsity tennis team, where he created some of his favorite memories. This fall, Xander plans to attend the University of Georgia to pursue a major in Management Information Systems. Xander would like to thank his teachers for their support throughout his high school journey. We also want to thank Xander for being an integral member of the Dalton High School community and an exemplary member of the Class of 2026.
Way to go!

Happy National School Nurses Day! Today we celebrate our incredible team of school nurses who go above and beyond to care for and support our students every day. Thank you for your compassion, dedication, and the vital role you play across our district!

Our cabinet members play an important role in supporting our schools and helping ensure students and staff have what they need to succeed.
Today, weāre highlighting Lauri Johnson, Assistant Superintendent of Schools.
We asked Mrs. Johnson a few questions about her role, what she enjoys most about Dalton Public Schools, and a little about who she is outside of work. Hereās what she had to say š
"My primary support is to our secondary schools and the Cyber Academy. In that role, I mostly spend time with principals as a thought partner, problem solver and to celebrate the great things happening in our schools. Additionally, I am a part of the Teaching and Learning team to support the secondary aspects of our instructional programming. I am also a secondary voice on cabinet, using that lens as operational issues are discussed."
"Our students light up our hallways each day with their energy and joy, and our talented teachers and staff bring a deep passion to their work. Being part of Dalton Public Schools means being part of something truly special."
"One crazy thing about me is that my circadian rhythm is off by a couple hours, meaning I wake up REALLY early. I can't say that I am tremendously productive during the early hours, but it allows me time to read and reflect on the day ahead of me. One of the first things I do each morning (after grabbing my first cup of coffee) is look at my Substack, which is filled with authors who focus on educational issues and health/wellness. I also exercise before work and am currently focused on Pilates. Even if my focus changes at times, I always like to get my workouts done BEFORE work since by the end of the day I just want to go home and hang out with my husband and pets. The fall that we opened Hammond Creek a semi-stranger gave me an orange cat, so I named him Hammie which is the Tiger mascot's name at Hammond Creek. Two years later, a black cat showed up at the doors to Hammond Creek and two students smuggled him in. Of course he ended up joining the family, as well--being named "Dosi" as he was the 2nd HCMS cat. While several more cats tried to win my heart on that campus, no others ended up coming home with me."
"This is my 29th year working in education."

š Read it here: https://daltonpublicschoolsga.edurooms.com/engage/dalton-public-schools/newsletters/paws-in-print-may-edition

This Teacher Appreciation Week, we celebrate the champions in our classrooms who make a difference that lasts a lifetime. Because of you, something truly special is always taking center stage in our schools. Thank you! #DaltonPublicSchools #LearnLeadSucceed #TeacherAppreciationWeek
Dalton High School Drama Players present Harry Potter and the Cursed Child: High School Edition ā and there are still 2 more opportunities to see this incredible production!
š May 2 at 7:00 PM
š May 3 at 2:00 PM
Donāt miss your chance to experience the magic, talent, and hard work of our amazing students. Purchase tickets at dhsplayers.ludus.com!
No registration required. Just stop by and enjoy a healthy meal.
Find more information and view summer meal locations here: https://www.daltonpublicschools.com/page/summer-feeding-program

Read more about our Summer Programs: https://www.daltonpublicschools.com/article/2842502

Meet the DPS Cabinet āØ
Our cabinet members play an important role in supporting our schools and helping ensure students and staff have what they need to succeed.
Today, weāre highlighting Dr. Robert Shaw, Associate Superintendent of Student Services.
We asked Dr. Shaw 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 am privileged to serve Dalton Public Schools as the Associate Superintendent of Student Services. In this role, I have the opportunity to support many important areas, including counselors and social workers, transportation, school safety, teacher and staff observations, MTSS, crisis protocol and response, Georgia Climate Surveys, attendance, and student discipline, including the Code of Conduct. Like so many in education, I wear a lot of hats, but I truly enjoy the work and feel grateful for the chance to support our students, staff, and schools each day."
"There is so much I appreciate about Dalton Public Schools. We have incredible professionals who serve our students and community every day, and no matter their role, each person is important and deserves to know they are valued. I also love our students. They are warm, kind, and even though most of them may not know who I am, I am almost always met with a smile when I speak to them. Having worked in much larger districts, I especially appreciate that Dalton is large enough to offer unique opportunities for students, while still being small enough to be flexible and responsive when change is needed."
"I have been married for almost 30 years, and my wife and I have three daughters. They are adults now, but as we all know, you never stop being a parent. We also have two grandchildren, ages 2 and 5, and I absolutely adore them. I spoil them whenever I can and love being their "Pappy." I also enjoy watching sports, and in the little downtime I have, I like playing a few games on Xbox: EA SPORTS Madden NFL 26, EA SPORTS College Football 26, and MLB The Show 26."
"My first-year teaching was 1996-1997 at Avondale High School in DeKalb County, Georgia. Next year will be 30 years (and it does go very fast)."

The Board recognized 2025 Convocation Sponsors and members of the districtās Advisory Councils, including teachers, students, and parents, for their dedication to supporting student success and school improvement. Students were also honored for excellence in leadership and academics, including Dalton Project Achievement 4-H participants, TDA 19 Under 19 honoree Esmeralda Rios, and Georgia Thespians Hall of Fame inductee Alana Sane.
The Board celebrated athletic accomplishments, recognizing the Dalton High School Girls Basketball Team and the first Dalton Academy wrestlers to qualify for the state sectional, Tomas Gonzalez and Cesar Barrera. Literary and fine arts achievements were also highlighted, including Dalton High School Literary State Champions, The Dalton Academy Literary Region Champions, and students recognized in the Northwest Georgia High School Shakespeare Showcase and Poetry Out Loud, where Anslie Wright was named a state finalist.
In addition, the Board honored student excellence in career and technical and visual arts, including winners from the GASTC State Technology Competition, participants in the Creative Arts Guild SAE 2026 Student Awards, and students recognized through regional and state showcases.
The Board congratulates all honorees for their hard work, creativity, and commitment to excellence in Dalton Public Schools.









