Dryden Community Schools Newsletter

Dear Families,

What I love most about Dryden is that help is never far away. When someone is in need, people show up. Whether it is through a church, neighborhood, or community organization, no one in Dryden is ever in need for long. It is the same within our school family.

When one of our Dryden students is hurting and needs a hug or a smile, his or her classmates show up.

When our Dryden GSRP class needs community helpers to introduce them to careers, those helpers show up.

When a Dryden team needs an extra boost during a big game, fans show up.

When a Dryden teacher puts out the word about a class event and needs assistance, volunteers show up.

When a Dryden in-school club needs members, students show up.

When asked to share the positive experiences their students have had here at an open house, parents show up.

Let's keep that beautiful tradition going! Dryden Community Schools has put a bond proposal on the spring ballot that will strengthen security measures, replace roofs, and update technology in both buildings for our students, our schools, and our community. More details can be found below.

On May 2, 2023, please show up at the polls to vote.

Yours in Education,

Mary Finnigan

Superintendent

by Audrey Napolitano

Officer Greg Betts is Dryden Community School’s new School Resource Officer who is starting on Monday, March 6th. He has an Associate's Degree in Law Enforcement from Oakland Community College.

His favorite things to do in his free time are hunting, fishing, spending time with family, doing home projects, and spending time outdoors. Officer Betts has four dogs, two cats, and three kids. He loves Oreos and Mountain Dew (not together). He loves feeding birds, and his favorite candy is Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. He also enjoys cooking and grilling food.

Officer Betts chose Dryden because he likes the community feel and small town vibe, but in a big township. His favorite thing about Dryden is the rural setting. He said that he grew up in busier cities, so it’s nice to be in a more spread out community. He wants students to know that he is not going to be at the school to be a hammer, he is here to be a helper, and he wants students to trust him and know that he is here to work with and protect our students and staff members. He stated, “We are all one Cardinal Family, and we’re all in this together”.

The Lapeer County Law Enforcement Millage, passed in August 2022 by Lapeer County voters, provides funding to each of the five school districts in the county to cover the cost of school resource officers.

Thank you so much for sharing with us, Officer Betts! We look forward to you starting here this week!

Dear Cardinal Families,

The end of the third marking period is just a few weeks away, and we are approaching Spring Break (March 27-31). Please encourage your student to keep working diligently toward completing work and earning passing grades. We are so proud of all of their accomplishments so far this school year and look forward to a strong finish to the year.

As always, please let us know if you have any questions or if we can help in any way.

Warmly,

Mary Finnigan

Dryden Junior/Senior High School Principal

Congratulations to #proudcardinal 7th graders and Junior High Spelling Bee Champion Levi Fitchett and Runner-Up Rheilyn Holburt! Levi will represent Dryden Junior High at the Lapeer County Spelling Bee.

Other Spelling Bee contestants were Jaccob Miller, Molly Miller, Atticus Podvin, Hunter Snavely, Charity MacNeil, Trenton Myers, Aiden Furneaux, Logan Korth, Mikey Luciano, and Connor Smith.

Our seniors are going to college! Please help Dryden High School's Class of 2023 celebrate. On May 1, our College Decision Day Celebration allows students to declare their intentions and proudly state their college, university, trade school, training program, or military choice. Items from this list will be given away to seniors at College Decision Day to send them off with what they'll need in the fall!

State testing, which includes the M-STEP, PSAT 8/9, PSAT 10, and Michigan Merit Exam (MME), is currently scheduled to begin the week of April 10.

The testing schedule will be shared with parents prior to Spring Break.

Sincerely,

Kimberly Fleming

Counselor, Dryden Junior/Senior High School

In education, dual enrollment (DE) involves students being enrolled in two separate, academically related institutions. Generally, it refers to high school students taking college courses. The state of Michigan allows students in grades 9 through 12 to enroll in post-secondary courses. Students can take up to 10 college courses while in high school. Contact Mrs. Fleming for additional information, if interested (kfleming@drydenschools.org).

OPPORTUNITIES WITH SIX HIGHER EDUCATION PARTNERS!

Students enrolled in the Dryden Early College Academy have the opportunity to continue their education at one of six post-secondary institutions: Baker College, Ferris State University, Oakland University, Macomb Community College, Mott Community College, or the University of Michigan-Flint.

Hello to the Dryden Community!

I am incredibly excited and honored to share that your very own Dryden Bands are performing the national anthem for the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park on Saturday, April 8th for Opening Weekend! The junior high and high school bands will be combined to play on the field before the start of the game versus the Boston Red Sox. We have plenty of tickets at the generous price of only $26 and we would be so happy to see as many of our Cardinal Community as possible supporting our students! We must sell at least 100 tickets to make this happen so feel free to share this link to your friends and family. Follow the link below to purchase your tickets and come cheer us on in this special event!

Go Cardinals and Go Tigers!

Your favorite (and only) band director,

Mr. Klee

Dear Cardinal Families,

Who’s ready for Spring? This school year is flying by. Our students and staff are continuing to set and achieve goals, and we are so proud of them! We have been working diligently to build and maintain a culture that is built on kindness, positivity, and gratitude. We have felt the love, support, and generosity of many from time to money and resources donated to our school.

A special thank you to: Mill Street Station, Seven Ponds Nature Center, Alleyway Boutique, Diamond Dance Expressions, Alen Graham Farmers Insurance, Boy Scouts, Lapeer County Health Department, Dryden Township Police Department and Dryden Township Fire Department, PTA volunteers, Dryden Wesleyan Church Upwards Program, NHS, Trunk or Treat community participants, Child Advocacy Center, Four County Community Foundation, Lapeer County Community Foundation, Lapeer Optimists Club, community members Steve and Nancy Hill, the Dryden Veterans, Katie Gardner of PaperPie (formerly Usborne Books and More), Michigan State University, and LEAF and ELGA Credit Union. We are very fortunate to be part of this AMAZING community of partners. Thank you!

Upcoming events:

• March is Reading Month!

• March 8: Kindergarten and Preschool RoundUp and Family Literacy Night

• March 27 - 31: Spring break- No School/No Early Childhood/Childcare

• April 7: Good Friday- No School/No Early Childhood/Childcare

• April 10 - May 5: M-STEP- all students in grades 3-6 .

• April 21: Science Day

• April 29: Someone Special Dance

• The final round of NWEA testing is scheduled to take place in May.

• May 3: SMILE Mobile Dentist

• May 19: Preschool Graduation

• May 25: LEAF deposit for BK - 3rd Grade

• May 26: Memorial Day- No School/No Early Childhood/Childcare

• May 29: Memorial Day- No School/No Early Childhood/Childcare; Kindergarten Parade

• June 7: Field Day; Awards Night

• June 8: Kindergarten Graduation

• June 9: Half day of school dismissal at 12:10; 6th Grade Graduation at 10:00 AM in the gym

• June 12 - July 21: Cardinal Camp (Summer School)- more information to come.
  
  

As we head into the home stretch (and as always), please remember we are here to help.

Sincerely,

Stacey Abromaitis

Principal

Dryden Elementary

Our 5th and 6th grade Spelling Bee was held on February 10th. We are proud of each and every participant. It will be remembered as one of our most exciting competitions in recent times. A special thanks to Mrs. Howell, Mrs. Birkett, Mrs. Calvert, and Mrs. Roys. Congratulations to Molly Wilkey who took first place and Victoria Smith who was runner-up.

For more information or to register for the Cardinal Early Learning Academy, click here:

https://www.drydencardinalacademy.com/

Kelly Fuerst

Central Administrator

Cardinal Early Learning Academy

Our Winter Sports Season is coming to a close. For those that are not able to attend any events in person, watch your Cardinals on the NFHS Network. (https://www.nfhsnetwork.com/)

The MHSAA State Tournaments have started. The Bowling Regional took place on February 24 and 25. Everyone bowled well and had a great time. The Girls Basketball District took place at Genesee Christian. Our Lady Cardinals lost a tough game on Wednesday, March 1 to Everest Collegiate. The Boys Basketball Districts will begin this week in Morrice. Our Dryden Cardinals will play on Wednesday, March 8, against Burton CenterPoint Christian at 5:30 p.m. The District Final will be held on Friday, March 10th at 7:00 p.m.

All tickets for the State Tournament will be pre-sale ONLY through GoFan with no tickets available at the door. Please follow the link to purchase your tickets. (https://gofan.co/app/school/MI9945)

All spring sports will start on March 13!

The following sports are available this spring:

Baseball (High School & Junior High)

Golf

Girls Soccer (co-op w/Imlay City)

Softball

Track & Field (High School & Junior High)

For any student who wants to participate in our Spring Sports Season, please make sure you have either a current physical. This can be picked up in the office or found at the following links.

Physical - https://www.mhsaa.com/portals/0/Documents/health%20safety/physical2page.pdf

The schedule can be found on our school website or at this link:

https://www.drydenschools.org/page/athletics

Thank you for your continued support, and we look forward to seeing you outside!

As always, Go Cardinals!

Ms. Loraine Brinker

Assistant Principal/Athletic Director

#PROUDCardinal

Four County Community Foundation holds several funds that award grants directly to your local community. Grants support your schools, your museums, your food pantries, your local parks and trails and so much more. Consider donating to your Community Fund today!

Your donation will come right back to your local community.

Stacey Abromaitis

Dryden Elementary School Principal

Loraine Brinker

Athletic Director

Dryden Junior/Senior High School Assistant Principal

Mary Finnigan

Superintendent

Dryden Junior/Senior High School Principal

Email: MFinnigan@drydenschools.org
Website: https://www.drydenschools.org/
Location: 3866 Rochester Road, Dryden, MI, USA
Phone: 810-796-9534
Facebook: facebook.com/DrydenCommunitySchools
Twitter: @DrydenSchools