Newsletter - Dreyfoos

Dear Dreyfoos families,

One of the most beautiful things about being part of the Dreyfoos community is witnessing what happens when so many people come together to support our students and help them shine. It truly takes a village to accomplish everything we do, and I could never adequately thank everyone who gives so generously of their time and energy to make our school such a special place. From our recent DSOA College Fair and last Friday night's Fall Dance to the incredible support of our parent organizations, volunteers, and community partners, I am continually reminded of the magic that happens when we work together. I am truly grateful to be part of a community that cares so much!

There is so much to celebrate and look forward to in the weeks ahead! We are cheering on our Lady Jags Varsity Girls Volleyball Team as they head into the playoffs this evening. We are so proud of their hard work, determination, and team spirit. We wish them the very best as they take the court!

Our arts programs also have some exciting opportunities coming up. Our DSOA Speech and Debate Team invites you to their Speakeasy on Thursday, October 15, at 5:30 p.m. in Building 1. The following evening, Friday, October 16, at 6:00 p.m., our Jazz Combos will perform in the Brandt Black Box. Tickets are now on sale for our Theatre Department's presentation of Footloose! You will not want to miss this production in our newly renovated theatre, complete with our new stage and orchestra pit. These are wonderful opportunities to observe and celebrate the artistry that make Dreyfoos so extraordinary!

It is hard to believe that we have already completed the first quarter of the school year! Grades will be posted in SIS on Monday, October 19. Parents and guardians, please make it a habit to check SIS regularly to stay informed about your child's academic progress and to monitor absences. Because we operate on a block schedule, missing one class can mean missing the equivalent of two traditional class periods. Consistent attendance is essential to keeping students connected to classroom instruction, learning, and their peers. Thank you for partnering with us to help every student stay on track and make the most of each school day.

We have also been celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month across our campus, and I have been absolutely blown away by the creativity, thoughtfulness, and enthusiasm of our students!

As we look ahead, please mark your calendars for the upcoming PSAT administrations. The PSAT will be provided free of charge to all 10th and 11th grade students. Students must bring their fully charged, school-issued devices to their assigned testing locations:

• 10th Grade PSAT: Monday, October 19, 2026

• 11th Grade PSAT: Tuesday, October 20, 2026

Please review the testing calendar section of this newsletter for additional information about these and all upcoming assessments.

Whether you volunteer your time, attend a performance, cheer on our students, support our programs, or encourage your child at home, you help create the extraordinary experiences that define our school. I look forward to seeing you at our upcoming events and continuing to celebrate all the wonderful things happening at Dreyfoos. There truly is no school community quite like our Dreyfoos family!

Sincerely,

Blake Bennett

Principal

10/12: No School!

10/15: SpeakEasy in building 1 from 5:30pm-7:00pm

10/16: Jazz Combos in the Brandt Black Box from 6:00pm-8:00pm

10/17: SOAFI College Application Bootcamp for seniors in the media center from 9:00am-12:00pm

10/19: 10th Grade PSAT

10/20: 11th Grade PSAT

10/21: Coffee Talk in the media center from 9:00am-10:00am - Executive Functioning & Student Well-Being

10/22: Make Up Photos in the media center

10/22: SOAFI College Application Bootcamp for seniors in the media center from 4:00pm-6:30pm

10/26: SOAFI College Application Bootcamp for seniors in the media center from 4:00pm-6:30pm

10/29: Theatre: Footloose - Preview Night in Meyer Hall from 6:00pm-8:00pm

10/30: Theatre: Footloose in Meyer Hall from 6:30pm-8:30pm

10/31: Theatre: Footloose in Meyer Hall from 1:30pm-3:30pm

• Fall Semester Testing Calendar: Review important dates and testing windows for all school-wide assessments, including State Assessments (FAST/EOC), AICE Exams, PSAT, ACT, and CLT. Please mark these key testing dates in your calendar!

• Standardized College Entrance Exams (SAT, ACT & CLT): Access crucial registration deadlines, test dates hosted on campus, test-day preparation procedures, and link-outs to official test prep tools for the SAT, ACT, and Classic Learning Test (CLT). Qualifying scores also support Bright Futures scholarship tracking!

National Merit Scholarship Program Commended Students

Congratulations to twenty of our outstanding Dreyfoos seniors who have earned Letters of Commendation from the National Merit Scholarship Program! These exceptional students placed among the top fifty thousand scorers nationwide out of more than one and a half million students who took the PSAT/NMSQT. We are incredibly proud of their academic excellence and dedication.

• Samantha L Bain
• Eva Basnet
• Devon C Baumgardner
• Morgan E Bertisch
• Thomas Deloye
• Zachary J Fischetti
• Daniel Goldberg
• Hannah V Gordon Rivero
• Lucas W Jaffee
• Advaita Karlapudi
• Sara E Lipnitzky
• Maja S Milovanovic
• Lucy G Pellegrino
• Lucinda Quigley
• Mia G Rubio
• Arsalan K Siddiqui
• Andrew K Tenn Yuk
• Tosh H Tidwell
• Cooper Wurtenberger
• Raina Zhao

Muse Newsmagazine Named Gallup Award Winner

Congratulations to The Muse staff who have been named one of ten schools to receive a George H. Gallup Award in the 2026 Quill and Scroll News Media Evaluation Service. Named for the founder of Quill and Scroll and the Gallup Poll, the award is given only to those publications that achieved and sustained excellence during the 2025-2026 academic year. Gallup Award recognition is based on extraordinary improvement, exceptional service to the school and community, editorial campaigns and in-depth reporting on special issues. Click the link below to see more details.

DSOA Speech and Debate Starts the Year Off Right!

The DSOA Speech and Debate Team competed at the Palm Beach Catholic Forensic League tournament, the first of the year, on September 19th at Suncoast High School. Please congratulate the following students for their accomplishments in their respective events:

Novice Congress

NSPA Individual Award Finalists Announced

The National Scholastic Press Association announced Individual Award finalists recognizing the outstanding achievements of student journalists across the nation and world. Huge congratulations to:

• Kara Schultz and Dana Cuevas Lopez of The Marquee who are finalists for Yearbook Spread Design of the Year.

Click the link below to view the official announcement of finalists!

Magic Makers

We are proud to celebrate our latest Magic Maker honorees: students Tess Barry, Isabella Alvarez, Brooke Howard, and Harrison Randolph, alongside dedicated faculty members Mr. Taylor and Mr. Toth! Thank you for your incredible contributions, positive impact, and dedication to our school community.

Congratulations to Our School Nominees

We are thrilled to celebrate three exceptional Dreyfoos staff members who have been nominated for top district honors! Congratulations to Mrs. Arterburn, nominated for Assistant Principal of the Year; Mr. Hesse, nominated for Teacher of the Year; and Mrs. Bullock, nominated for School Based Employee of the Year. We are immensely grateful for their dedication, leadership, and unwavering commitment to our students and school community!

Go Jasmine Marchi!

The Marquee Yearbook Featured in Idea File

Congratulations to The Marquee Yearbook staff whose dance spread from the 2026 yearbook was featured in Walsworth's Idea File magazine.

Matt Vaughan

Athletic Director

Matthew.Vaughan@palmbeachschools.org

Joseph Raicovich

Assistant Athletic Director

joseph.raicovich@palmbeachschools.org

Go Jaguars! Explore the essential resources below to access coaching contacts, review mandatory athletic eligibility requirements, and ensure your student is fully cleared for competition:

• Student-Athlete Clearance & Eligibility Requirements: Review the step-by-step process required for all student-athletes before participating in conditioning, tryouts, or official practices. Find direct access to mandatory district physical forms, insurance guidelines, parent consent paperwork, and instructions for completing your online athletic clearance portal profile.

Sports Teams & Coaching Directory: Access a complete listing of our fall, winter, and spring varsity and junior varsity athletic teams. This directory provides direct email contacts for head coaches, tryout schedules, practice times, team expectations, and links to official game schedules.

The Speech & Debate Team presents it annual "SpeakEasy" fundraiser!

The Dreyfoos School of the Arts' nationally recognized Speech and Debate Team presents "SpeakEasy" - its annual fundraiser featuring students performing various speech and debate events in a mock tournament setting on Thursday, October 15 from 5:30 - 7:00 PM in Building 1.

Underclass Retake/ Make-up Photo Day Oct. 22

Underclass make-up/retake photo day will take place in the Media Center on Thursday, Oct. 22.

MAKE-UP PHOTOS: Any student who missed the original photo will receive a pass to come down and be photographed on Thursday, Oct. 22.

RETAKES: If you purchased a picture package that you are unhappy with due to photographer error, the retake is free of charge. A photographer error would include pictures that are too dark, washed out, or incorrectly cropped.

If you are unhappy due to other issues that are not a photographer's error, a $15 fee will be charged to retake and reprint your package. These may include, but not limited to, issues such as a bad hair day or a student being unhappy with a smile. There is a $5 fee for retaking the yearbook or ID photo only.

No form is needed for the retake, but students must return the original photo prints to the photographer at the time of the retake. Students MUST include a printed copy of Retake Fee Receipt and this will serve as their pass to come down to the Media Center for the retake.

To pay for retakes: Visit HJproud.com, search for your school name, select K-11 Portraits, under the “Retakes?” tab, select Package Reprint Retake Fee).

Please schedule retakes by Tuesday, Oct. 20.

Email carly.gates@palmbeachschools.org with any questions.

CAPA Care Packages on Sale Now!

The Communication Arts Parent Association (CAPA) has launched its annual care package fundraiser. CAPA will deliver two more goody bags filled with tasty treats to your students this year. This is available for ALL Dreyfoos students!

Use the QR code on the flyer to order your care packages. The next deadline to purchase a bag is Friday, October 30th. Students are always thrilled to receive their care packages, and it’s such a fun way to show your love and encouragement! Please click the flyer for more details.

Yearbooks and Dedication Ads on Sale Now!

Yearbooks and dedication ads are on sale now at https://yearbookforever.com/ and yearbook prices go up on January 1st. Don't miss your chance to purchase our award-winning and nationally-recognized yearbook!

Below is the official senior flyer containing all essential information and deadlines for your final year at Dreyfoos. Find complete details regarding graduation, cap and gown orders, senior dues, Prom ticket prices and venue info, Grad Bash, yearbook preorders, and Senior Week activities.

-Please note, senior class dues and Grad Bash tickets are now available on school cash online!

College Application Reminders

A few key reminders:

• November 1 applications: Submit requests and materials for counselor supporting documents by October 15.
• College essay assistance: The final opportunity for essay help is the October 26 College Application Boot Camp.
• Online courses and class ranking: Your instructor must submit your grade by December 18 at 11:59 p.m. for it to be considered in first-semester ranking. Completing the course alone does not meet this deadline.
• Application submission: Submit your applications by each college’s deadline, even if your teachers’ and/or counselor’s supporting documents are still pending.
• Schedule changes: Contact your colleges before dropping or replacing any courses listed on an application you have already submitted.

The link below also includes instructions for Common App requests, transcripts, STARS, recommendation letters, Bright Futures, and FAFSA, along with links to helpful resources.

Please keep this guide handy and contact your school counselor if you have questions or need support. We are here to help you move through this process with confidence!

Our counseling and administrative teams are dedicated to guiding your student through every step of their high school journey academically, socially, and emotionally. Explore the essential resources below to access key support programs, complete required district forms, and find answers to common operational questions:

School Counseling Department Website

Explore the official school counseling department website for essential academic and personal planning resources. Access detailed information on counselor contacts, Coffee Talks, academic advising, dual enrollment requirements, college and career planning tools, health and safety supports, campus extracurriculars, and student success resources.

Counseling

• College & Post-Secondary Planning ("Coffee Talks"): Join our counseling department for our interactive "Coffee Talks" series. These deep-dive sessions cover crucial topics to help parents navigate everything from high school transition steps to financial aid, graduation tracks, and preparing for post-secondary life after Dreyfoos.

• SOAFI College Application Bootcamp: A dedicated, hands-on workshop hosted by our counseling team to guide seniors through the college application process. Students get direct support on completing Common App profiles, drafting admissions essays, requesting counselor/teacher recommendations, and setting up application tracking systems before major deadlines hit.

• Free & Reduced Lunch Applications: Complete your annual application online. Beyond school meals, qualifying for this program unlocks significant discounts on college application fees, SAT/ACT waivers, and standardized testing fees.

• School of the Arts Foundation (SOAFI) College Counselor: Following a distinguished twenty eight year career as a school counselor, including twelve years at Dreyfoos, Mr. Carson is returning in a new part time role sponsored by the School of the Arts Foundation. He will provide individualized college counseling, expand scholarship and financial aid guidance, enhance our College Application Bootcamp, and introduce early college planning programs. For Fall 2026, individual appointments are open to juniors and seniors, with priority scheduling given to seniors. Click the flyer for more information!

• New Statewide Weighted Grading System (Class of 2029 & Beyond): Important news for our 9th-grade families! Florida has updated its statewide weighted GPA policies, impacting all incoming high school freshmen starting this school year. Read a special update from Principal Bennett explaining these grading scale adjustments, how they affect high school transcripts, and what this means for your student’s academic planning.

Water Safety

Water safety is so important for everyone raising children in South Florida. That’s why we are sharing the “Be Water Smart” booklet produced by the Drowning Prevention Coalition of Palm Beach County and its partners. Inside the booklet, you will find great safety tips as well as locations where you can access swim lessons. Please open the link below for more information.

School Operations

• Dreyfoos School Operations Manual: Your go-to guide for campus-specific policies. Find immediate answers regarding attendance policies, dress code expectations, sign-out procedures, bell schedules, and campus safety protocols.

• Student & Family Handbook: Access the official district-wide handbook outlining student rights, responsibilities, code of conduct, and academic guidelines.

• Community Service Requirements & Upload Guide: Access the official high school community service log forms required for graduation and Bright Futures scholarship eligibility. This resource includes both the printable log form and a step-by-step instructional guide detailing how students can track their hours and upload completed forms directly into the portal for approval.

Transportation

For general transportation questions, contact the District Transportation Call Center at (561) 357-1110 or email AskTransportation@palmbeachschools.org (please include your student’s ID number in the message).

All bus riders must be registered. If you have not done so yet, please register using the link below. Tri-Rail commuters can also access the schedule below; please remember that students should ride Train P608 in the morning and Train P633 in the afternoon.

• Administration & Counseling Contact Directory: Access a comprehensive contact roster for our principal, assistant principals, and grade-level counselors. This directory details each administrator's specific art department oversight, direct phone extensions, and email addresses so you can reach the right person for academic, artistic, or personal student support.

• Official Digital Channels & Social Media: Never miss a campus update! Find direct links to our official Dreyfoos school website as well as our official Instagram and Facebook pages for real-time announcements, student showcases, event photos, and emergency alerts.

Please note, if a site is not listed on this page, it is not sanctioned or an official representation of A.W. Dreyfoos School of the Arts.

School of the Arts Foundation (SOAFI)

• Discover how the School of the Arts Foundation (SOAFI) directly enhances the artistic and academic excellence of Dreyfoos. SOAFI provides vital funding for artists in residence, master classes, guest artists, specialized equipment, and student scholarships. Explore the resources below to learn about upcoming marquee events, view their community impact, and stay connected with SOAFI news:

PTSO

Our PTSO plays a vital role in fostering school spirit, supporting our dedicated faculty and staff, and building a strong community for our families. Click on the flyer to learn how you can get involved and support our campus this school year:

Dine and Support your PTSO!

Enjoy a delicious meal while supporting our school community! Join us on Tuesday, October 20th, at Agliolio Italian Bistro for a special PTSO dining fundraiser. Agliolio will generously donate ten percent of all sales on that day back to our PTSO to support teacher appreciation events, student programs, and campus initiatives.

Support Project Grad 2027 Coupon Book Fundraiser

Support our PTSO in raising funds to provide a safe, drug free, and alcohol free graduation celebration for our seniors at Boomers! in Boca Raton. By purchasing a 2027 SaveAround Coupon Book, you will save money with thousands of local and national discounts while helping keep this event completely free for graduating seniors. Plus, students who sell coupon books can win incredible prizes! Click the link below to order.

Treat Yourself, Support Dreyfoos PTSO!

🍦💛🖤 Swirl, Support & School Spirit! Join us at 16 Handles for a sweet fundraising event supporting Dreyfoos PTSO! Bring the family or place your order online. Grab your favorite soft serve and make your treat count for our school! 🍨

Please find more information by clicking the flyer or through the link below.

Snack Shack Donations Needed

Dreyfoos families, we need your help! Please consider donating items for the Snack Shack. Donations can be purchased locally and dropped off in the front office labeled "Snack Shack" or purchased directly via our Amazon Wishlist. There are a lot of seasonal items on sale right now!