Dryden Splash | August 16, 2026
Arrival & Dismissal Reminders
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 can park on a nearby side street. You can walk to the front door or from the back side of the school on Lincoln Lane. Reminder: The Dryden community is no longer allowed to park in the Southminster Church parking lot.
Soft Start Begins August 26
Beginning Wednesday, August 26, 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!
This is an important reminder that the parking lot at Southminster Presbyterian Church is private property and is not available for use by Dryden or District families at any time during the school day, including arrival and dismissal. Parents are not permitted to enter or use the church parking lot.
We ask for your full cooperation in adhering to this restriction. Please plan ahead by utilizing street parking or arranging carpools. Respecting this boundary is essential to maintaining positive relationships with our neighbors and ensuring the safety of our students, staff, and community.
We are grateful to Southminster Presbyterian Church for their generosity in allowing use of their parking lot after 6:00 p.m. on weekdays and at any time on weekends.
Thank you for your attention to and cooperation with this matter.
Hook a Book
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.
Safety Drills at Dryden
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 27, 2026 • September 24, 2026 • October 21, 2026*
On October 21, 2026, firefighters from the Arlington Heights Fire Department will join us for the drill.Lockdown Drills: September 17, 2026 • February 10, 2027
These drills will be conducted with officers from the Arlington Heights Police Department.Shelter-in-Place (Tornado) Drill: February 25, 2027
Fueling Success: Start the Day with School Breakfast!
Daily breakfast service at Dryden will begin on Friday, August 21, 2026. We want to ensure every student has the best possible start to their day through access to our breakfast program.
We encourage all students to take advantage of this convenient, nutritious, and affordable way to begin their school day!
Breakfast Program Details:
Location Enter front doors and breakfast is served in the cafeteria
Serving Time 8:50 am - 9:05 am
Daily Cost Paid: $2.00
Reduced-Price: $.30 or Free: $0.00 (for students that qualify for free or
reduced meal benefits)
Payment: All students have a meal card and breakfast meals will be
charged to their Mealtime account. For more information on how to pay
for school meals, please visit our website.
Menu Click here for School Breakfast Menu
How to Participate Students can simply go to the breakfast cart during the serving time. No
advance sign-up is required!
If your student participates in the CAP program and would like to eat school breakfast in addition or as an alternative to what is offered at CAP, please notify the CAP staff. Students will be dismissed from CAP and allowed to eat school breakfast before the school day starts.
Health Services - Medication Droop-Off
We are looking forward to a HEALTHY school year. Please refer to the Medication Drop Off Reference Sheet and schedule an appointment with our school nurse if you need to drop off medication. Please refer to our Health Services webpage for additional information and required health forms.
Dental Forms Required for Current Kindergarten and 2nd Grade Students
If your student is in kindergarten or second grade please remember to turn in their dental form.
The compliance date for this regulation is May 15, 2026. However, you may submit the form at any time. You should make your dental appointments early in the school year. Dental offices will be very busy in the spring as the compliance deadline approaches. We will accept dental exams that have been completed after November 15, 2024.
Completed forms can be turned in via email (scan or picture) to mrixon@sd25.org, in your students backpack, or by fax (847-398-4280).
Food & Nutrition Services
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.
RESCHEDULED: Tuesday, August 18| Kindergarten Meet & Greet
We can't wait to welcome our newest Dryden Dolphins and their families to one of our favorite Dryden traditions: the PTA Kindergarten Meet & Greet!
Join us on Tuesday, August 18, from 6:30–7:30 PM on the Dryden School playground (behind the school) for an evening of play, popsicles, and the chance to meet new classmates and other Dryden families. It's a fun, relaxed way to start making connections before the first day of school.
Rain Plan: Event willbe moved to the Dryden Gym if it is raining.
Wednesday, August 19 | Meet the Teacher & PTA Ice Cream Social
Come to meet your child's teacher and drop-off their school supplies. Our Dryden staff will be wearing staff shirts and ID badges, so don't hesitate to ask if you need help finding your way. We're excited to welcome you and can't wait to get to know your family!
Event Schedule
- 2:30–3:15 PM: Visit classrooms and meet your teachers.
- 3:15–4:00 PM: Enjoy a sweet treat in the Commons, courtesy of our wonderful PTA!
To help keep our school clean and safe, we kindly ask that all food and drinks remain in the Commons and/or out on the playground and not be taken into the hallways or classrooms. Thank you for helping us care for our school!
Thursday, August 20 | First Day of School for Students
Schedule for the Day
8:50 am - Arrival / Staff Supervision begins
9:05 am - Tardy Bell
12:10 pm - 1:10 pm - Lunch / Recess for all grades
3:35 pm - Dismissal
*Please review your email from Friday, August 14 detailing arrival, dismissal, carline, parking and lunch hour procedures.
Friday, August 21 | Parent Welcome Coffee, 9:15 am
Come meet Principal Jessica Martinsen, PTA representatives, and fellow Dryden families! This is a great opportunity to learn about school procedures, ask questions, and share your ideas for helping Dryden Elementary be the best it can be.
We’d love to know if you’re coming! Please click here to RSVP by noon on Wednesday, August 19!
Wednesday, August 26 | Curriculum Night, 6:00 - 7:30 pm
A Special Evening for Parents and Guardians
Join us for a special evening designed just for parents and guardians! This is a wonderful opportunity to learn about the exciting year ahead, meet your child's teachers, and hear about classroom routines, curriculum, and ways we'll work together to support your child's learning and growth.
Evening Schedule
- 6:00–6:40 PM: Classroom Presentations (Grades K–2)
- 6:25–7:05 PM: Meet with Specials Teachers & Support Staff
- 6:50–7:30 PM: Classroom Presentations (Grades 3–5)
We look forward to seeing you and partnering with you for a fantastic school year!
Meet the 2026-2027 Dryden PTA Executive Board!
We've had a very busy summer planning for an exciting school year ahead & are excited to see everyone back at Dryden! We’d like to thank the countless PTA chairs and volunteers who have been working hard to get everything in place for a successful back-to-school season - we couldn’t do it without you! If you’re interested in getting more involved by volunteering or chairing a program, send us an email at drydenpta@gmail.com
Elizabeth Choporis, President
Julie Schuman, Executive Vice President
Liz Madison, Treasurer
Cortney Bindrich, Secretary
Kate Bode & Jennifer Garcia, VPs of Administration
Jenda Phok & Megan Rucks, VPs of Children’s Programs
Cameron Weber & Juliet Kopulos, VPs of Ways & Means
Wednesday, August 19: PTA Meet & Greet/Ice Cream Social
Please join us for the annual ice cream social to kick off the school year!
Event schedule:
2:30-3:15 PM- Visit classrooms and meet your teacher
3:15-4:00 PM- Enjoy a sweet treat in the commons, courtesy of the PTA!
To keep the school clean and safe, we kindly ask that all food and drinks stay in the commons. Please avoid bringing them into the hallways or classrooms.
Get your Run and Fun!
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. Sign-up will be sent at 7pm on August 25th.
Please see details below:
Dates:
Tuesday, September 15
Tuesday, September 22
Tuesday, September 29
Tuesday, October 6
Time:
8:10am - 8:50am
Location:
The Dryden grounds
Questions? Contact:
Colleen Quatman coldoh25@yahoo.com
Rebecca Buttrey rebeccahbuttrey@gmail.com
Danielle Sullivan dssullivan18@gmail.com
UKRAINE INDEPENDENCE DAY- August 24
WOMEN’S EQUALITY DAY- August 26
Established by Congress in 1971 to commemorate the 1920 passage of the Nineteenth Amendment granting women the right to vote, and to encourage the ongoing efforts for women’s equality in all areas of American life.
LABOR DAY- SEPTEMBER 7
A legal holiday in all states and Canada observed the first Monday in September. Labor Day is an annual celebration of the social and economic achievements of American workers.
PATRIOT DAY- SEPTEMBER 11
ROSH HASHANAH (Begins September 11)
Jewish New Year and holy days. Days of Renewed Responsibility and the first of the High Holy Days. The traditional greeting during Rosh Hashanah is the phrase “Shanah tovah,” which translates to “Good year.”
*Date changes year to year
HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH
A month to celebrate the rich heritage of Hispanic Americans and the many contributions they have made to American culture.
Celebrated Sept. 15 - Oct 15
MEXICAN INDEPENDENCE DAY- SEPTEMBER 16
This holiday celebrates Mexico’s declaration of independence from Spain in 1810.
Mexican Independence Day is a nationwide celebration. The country’s leaders were inspired by our own July 4 Independence Day festivities, so fireworks fill the skies at night and the day is filled with patriotic speeches, flag-waving, parades, live music, and feasts.
YOM KIPPUR (Begins September 20)
Yom Kippur is the Jewish holiest day, known as Day of Atonement. The 25-hour period is devoted to prayer, fasting, and repentance.
*Date changes year to year