Splash 8.24.25

At Dryden, student safety is our top priority. To ensure a smooth and secure arrival and dismissal process for everyone, we kindly ask families to follow these important reminders:

🚗 Car Line Etiquette
If you're dropping off or picking up your child, please stay in your car. Do not park in the drop-off/pick-up lane and walk to the building, as this stops the flow of traffic. If you'd prefer to walk your child to or from school, you’re welcome to park in the Southminster Presbyterian Church lot, just south of Dryden.

🚪 Soft Start Begins August 27
Beginning Wednesday, August 27, students will no longer line up outside with their teachers outside of the school in the mornings. Instead, they’ll enter and exit the building through designated doors:

• Door 1 and Door 2 for general entry

• Door 8 for students using the bike racks

🚶 Walk Safely
Please use sidewalks rather than cutting through the parking lot. If crossing the lot is necessary, always use the crosswalk—our students learn from your example!

🚲 Wheels on Walk Mode
For everyone’s safety, bicycles and scooters should be walked, not ridden, while on school grounds. It’s a busy time of day, and we want to prevent any accidents.

🐾 No Dogs on School Grounds
As a reminder, dogs are not permitted on school property during arrival or dismissal times.

Thank you for your continued cooperation in keeping our school community safe and efficient!

Each year, Dryden students and staff take part in several required safety drills to help us be prepared for emergencies. Below is our schedule for this school year:

• Evacuation (Fire) Drills: August 28, 2025 • September 30, 2025 • October 28, 2025*
  On October 28, 2025, firefighters from the Arlington Heights Fire Department will join us for the drill.

• Lockdown Drills: September 9, 2025 • April 7, 2026
  These drills will be conducted with officers from the Arlington Heights Police Department.

• Shelter-in-Place (Tornado) Drill: February 24, 2026

*Please note that the date of the evacuation drill with the AHFD has been moved to October 28, 2025.

Please remember to bring all medications and completed paperwork directly to the health office. For safety reasons, a parent or guardian must drop off medications in person—students may not carry them in their backpacks. All medications, including over-the-counter items such as cough drops, Motrin, and similar products, must be in their original, unopened packaging at the time of drop-off.

These steps are part of the D25 Medication Management Procedures. If you have any questions, please reach out to our school nurse, Mrs. Rixon, at mrixon@sd25.org.

Please help us reunite lost items with their owners by clearly labeling all of your child’s clothing, lunch boxes, and other personal belongings! Items found at school will be placed in the Lost and Found. Older students may ask their teacher for permission to check for missing belongings, while parents of younger students are welcome to stop by the office between 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM to take a look. On the 30th of each month, any unclaimed items will be donated to a charitable organization. If an item has a name on it, our office staff will give you a call so it can make its way home before donation day. Thank you for helping us by labeling everything—big or small—so nothing stays “lost” for long!

Please click on the following links for more information:

• Where can I view the school lunch menu? Click Here
• How does my student order a school lunch? Click Here
• How do I pay for my child’s meals? Click Here
• How do I apply for free & reduced meals? Click Here

For further details on D25 Food & Nutrition Services, please click here.

“SOFT STARTS” begin Wednesday, August 27

For Soft Starts, Doors 1, 2 and 8 will be used for arrival. Door 13 will no longer be used for arrival or dismissal. This helps keep the carline moving smoothly. Students who bike or walk down Lincoln will enter the building through Door 8. At 8:50 am, staff supervision begins and students will be admitted into the building. Classroom teachers will greet students at the entrance to their classrooms. The tardy bell rings at 9:05 am.

A Special Evening for Parents

This evening is designed just for parents to learn more about the exciting learning experiences planned for the year ahead. Teachers will share important information about classroom expectations, curriculum highlights, and how we’ll support your child’s growth and success at Dryden.

Evening Schedule:
6:00 – 6:40 PM – Classroom Presentations (Grades 3–5)
6:25 – 7:05 PM – Visit with Specials Teachers & Support Staff
6:50 – 7:30 PM – Classroom Presentations (Grades K–2)

Hook-A-Book in the LMC 6:00 - 7:30 pm

Join us in the LMC for Hook a Book. $10 hooks a book for your student. They get to be the first one to check out our newest books. We will also place a special Hook a Book label inside with your dedication. Books then return to the library to be checked out by all. $10 cash or check.

Please help PTA show our appreciation for the amazing Dryden teachers and staff by stocking up the lounge with snacks and treats. Please click here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A0A48A9AE2DA3F94-58055869-dryden for more information and to sign up.

Didn’t get a chance to grab your yard sign at our first sale? Don’t worry — you can still purchase one! Our sale runs through September 11th. Signs are $15 each and will be available for pick up at Dryden on September 21st from 9:15–10:00 AM, alongside our Fall Mum Sale pick-up. Perfect time to grab your mums AND your sign to show off your Dolphin spirit and support! ❤️🤍

🪧 Order your yard signs by 9/11 here: https://my.cheddarup.com/c/purchase-your-dryden-d-yard-sign-on-site-copy/items

🌼 Order your mums by 9/1 here: https://my.cheddarup.com/c/dryden2025-fall-mum-sale/items

The PTA Running Club is returning for fall! Expose your kids to the joys of running in a relaxed and FUN environment! Think games, obstacle courses, calisthenics and more. Each session is different and covers topics such as: stretching, hydration and proper form. Running Club is open to all grades. Please see details below:

Dates:

Tuesday, September 9

Tuesday, September 16

Tuesday, September 30

Tuesday, October 7

Time:

8:10am - 8:50am

Location:

The Dryden grounds

Questions? Contact Nickie Cecola at nvavrik@gmail.com.

Sign-up by Tuesday, September 2, through the following link: https://forms.gle/TzWyvovhsSPDzdAr6

Looking forward to seeing your kids soon!

Support a great cause through Dryden's Annual Fall Mum Sale!

Order by September 1st. Pick-up at Dryden on Sunday, September 21st 9:15-10:00am.

Order here: https://dryden2025-fall-mum-sale.cheddarup.com

Picture Day — Tuesday, September 2, 2025!

Get ready for your big smile! We’re excited to announce this year’s photographer: Stuart‑Rodgers Photography from Evanston, IL. Picture day is a fun, memorable tradition — please remind students to wear something they feel confident in and come ready to smile.

What to expect: Individual photos and class photos.

Ordering photos this year will be a little different than years past. Photo ordering information and proofs will be sent home after picture day.

Remember: Smile big! Have fun! Be your awesome self!

Join Dryden PTA

Sync the Dryden PTA Calendar to your phone!

Shop Dryden Spirit Wear

Purchase Dryden Yearbooks

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Connect with Dryden PTA on Facebook & Instagram!

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