Dryden Splash | December 14, 2025

Holiday Cheer, Cosmic Fun, and Musical Moments

Dear Dryden Families,

It has been a joyful and busy week at Dryden Elementary, filled with creativity, movement, and lots of smiles!

Our kindergarten students and teachers truly outdid themselves by transforming their hallway into a giant gingerbread house. The space is absolutely delightful and has quickly become a favorite stop in the building. As part of the fun, kindergarten classes have been reading and comparing different versions of gingerbread stories, building excitement for the holiday season while strengthening important literacy skills. Be sure to check out the photos. We are so proud of their imagination and hard work!

In the gym, Mr. Gries and Miss Spencer wrapped up their traveling bowling unit by hosting Cosmic Bowling this week. Students had a blast, even though many were disappointed to hear the bowling equipment will be leaving next week. The good news? Students are already excited knowing a new traveling gymnastics unit will be coming to Dryden when we return from winter vacation!

I also had the opportunity to visit Mrs. Scapillato’s 5th grade band class. Students were working hard as they prepared for their next concert, practicing new skills and refining their music to showcase their learning. Their focus and dedication were wonderful to see. Photos from all of these activities can be found below.

As we approach Winter Break, we want to take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude for your continued support and involvement in our school community. This season is the perfect time to reflect on the joy, kindness, and warmth that every member of Dryden; students, staff, and families; brings to our school, making it such a positive and nurturing place where children can thrive. We hope this holiday season gives you the chance to relax, laugh, and enjoy special moments with your loved ones. Wishing you a joyful, peaceful, and safe holiday season, filled with health and happiness in the New Year!

Warmly,

Jessica Martinsen

Lost and Found

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!

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.

Dryden Student Absence Form

Click here to report your child's school absence.

December

December 16: Stock the Lounge

December 17: 4th Grade Musical, Doors open at 6:10 pm

December 19: Winter Wonderland

December 22- January 4: Winter Break

January

January 5: Teacher Institute Day - No Classes for students

January 6: 5th Grade Service Project Begins

January 8: Jan Birthday Books

January 19-January 23: 5th Grade Service Project Collection

January 26: Soup Lunch for Staff

January 26-January 30: Book Fair Week

January 29: Family Reading Night

February

February 3: Book Club

February 5: PTA General Member Meeting

February 10: Book Club

February 12: February Birthday Books

February 12: Crossing Guard Appreciation Day

February 13: Classroom Valentine’s Day Parties

February 16: Spring Parent-Teacher Conferences

February 17: Book Club

February 20: Family Dance

February 24: Book Club

February 26: 5th Grade Volleyball Night

Link to D25 2025- 2026 Year-At-A-Glance Calendar

Happy Holidays!

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our Annual PTA Parent Holiday Party and to our wonderful chairs, Kathryn Coughlin & Katie Ukleja, for planning such a fun evening!

As we wrap up an exciting Fall season, I want to extend a heartfelt THANK YOU to our incredible Dryden PTA members, families, and volunteers. Your dedication and support have made the events, clubs & programs we’ve hosted so far this year a huge success. We couldn’t do any of it without this wonderful Community!

I wish each of you a happy, restful, and healthy season as we head into the holidays & winter break. Here’s to even more great moments together in the New Year!

Mary Cape

Dryden PTA President

NOODLES DINE OUT FUNDRAISER - 12/18

Please consider supporting the PTA by heading to Noodles and Co. downtown Arlington Heights on Thursday, December 18th from 4-8pm. Be sure to enter the code GIVING25 at checkout online or mention Dryden PTA in person to help our organization earn 25% back.

Winter Wonderland - December 19!

Winter Wonderland is right around the corner on Friday, December 19 - students can wear their coziest pajamas to school that day and will be invited to the gym with their grade for 50 minutes of FESTIVE FUN! They will enjoy rotations of holiday games, a fun craft and more!

We have enough volunteers for both sessions, but if you didn’t get a chance to sign up and would like to be on an alternate list in case there are last minute changes, please email drydenptachildrensprograms@gmail.com.

Date: December 19, 2025

Morning Session (8:30 AM - 12:05 PM): Kindergarten, 2nd Grade & 3rd Grade

Afternoon Session (12:15 PM - 3:30 PM): 1st Grade, 4th Grade & 5th Grade

If you have any questions, please reach out to drydenptachildrensprograms@gmail.com.

Thank you for helping bring Winter Wonderland to life for our students! 🎉❄️

Please RSVP! Fifth Grade Winter Mixer - January 4 at 2:30pm

The Arlington Heights Council PTA is launching a new Winter Fifth Grade Mixer to help students make new friends and feel confident before Middle School. The event takes place Sunday, January 4 at South Middle School from 2:30pm-4:15pm and includes games, music, crafts, sports, and high fives led by Hi-Five Sports. This is a drop off event. Children are expected to stay the entire length of the event.

South Mixer Registration:

https://ahcpta.givebacks.com/shop/items/e691f494e450df

Join Dryden PTA

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HANUKKAH (Begins Dec 14)

"Hanukkah" means dedication in Hebrew, this holiday is also known as The Festival of Lights and represents joy. Celebration includes time with loved ones, gifts, food, and lighting a candle on the menorah each night.

*Dates change year to year

LAS POSADAS (Begins December 16)

Las Posadas is a festival that takes place in Latin America and some Mexican communities in the United States from December 16–24. The word posada means inn or lodging, and traditionally posadas are a celebration of the Christmas story.

CHRISTMAS DAY (December 25)

A federal holiday celebrated as a religious and cultural celebration in all states and territories as well as across the world. Celebration includes time with loved ones, gifts and a feast.

KWANZAA (Begins Dec 26)

A seven day, African American cultural festival dedicated to the 7 principles: unity, self determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith.

Celebrated December 26- January 1

Dryden Splash | December 14, 2025