Dryden Splash | November 9, 2025

Learning is best when it comes alive! After learning about what Midwest farmers faced in the 1800s, students built their own “family farms.” They recreated tools, decided what crops to grow, and cared for their animals. Students were also given scenario cards and had to react to any hardships that came their way. Shout out to our fantastic 4th grade team for providing this worthwhile learning experience that our students will never forget! Below are some photos of their creations.

As part of their Watching the Night Sky unit, students researched a constellation during LMC. They learned about the shape and story of their constellation, drew its shape and counted its stars. The next week, parent volunteers came to help us re-create them using LED lights. Special thanks to our parent volunteers, first grade teachers, and Ms. Kovacic, our LMC director, for bringing this project to life for our students! Look below for some photos of Miss Lea Johnson's class in action.

Students go outside for recess unless the wind chill is below zero or there is precipitation. Please watch the weather forecast and make sure your child is dressed appropriately for playing outside. We ask that if it is 50 degrees or below, that students wear some type of sleeve for recess. When the weather is 32 degrees or below, please be sure to send your child with a coat. Snow pants, boots, gloves and hats are needed to play in the snow during recess. Without these items, students will need to remain on the blacktop on snowy days.

We recommend that you send your child with an extra bag to hold all their winter gear. Reusable bags seem to be a great option and many students are successful with getting all their gear out and back into the bag when recess is over. Please remember to send your child with shoes to change into if they wear their boots to school.

Please label your coats, hats, gloves, boots, and snow pants. Our lost and found is full of unclaimed items. Labeling items can help students find their missing winter gear.

We recommend that you send your child with an extra bag to hold all their winter gear. This helps students keep track of and store their winter gear. It's important that students bring their snow gear home each day so that items can be dried overnight. Also, please send your child with shoes to change into if they wear their boots to school.

Students are expected to wear whatever cold weather gear they have been sent to school with during grade level and lunch recess. Please be sure to share this information with your child. Thank you in advance for helping us make sure that everyone stays warm in these chillier months!

As the season changes and the cold weather quickly approaches, please know that we have a selection of winter gear (coats, hats, gloves, snow boot, snow pants) available for families who request support.

Please reach out to Dryden Social Workers Caroline Elsey or Dana Plous, via their confidential emails or voicemail for more information or to request assistance. Please reach out by December 14, 2024:

celsey@sd25.org dplous@sd25.org

847-506-6548

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!

Cough drops are not allowed at school. They can be kept in the health office for your student with the following three steps:

• Cough drops need to be dropped off by a parent, they cannot be sent in a student's backpack.

• Cough drops need to be in an unopened package, not just individually wrapped drops.

• The district medication authorization form must be completed by the parent and doctor. We cannot accept just a doctor's note.

If you have any questions please contact School Nurse Mrs. Rixon at mrixon@sd25.org. Thank you!

Student safety remains a top priority in District 25. All schools are safe and welcoming for every student and family, with district procedures in place to support students’ safety and learning in the event of any ICE-related incident. The district will continue to share information with families to reinforce our commitment to keeping students safe.

• District Dish (Under Superintendent Message) – September 18 & October 16

• Dr. Kaye’s Letter – January 2025

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.

November

11 - Veterans Day Breakfast & Assembly

13 - 3rd & 4th Grade Activity Night, 7:00 - 8:00 pm

13 - November Birthday Books

14 - End of 1st Trimester

18 - Dryden 5th Grade Band Concert

20 - 5th Grade Musical Performance, 6:30 pm

21 - Report Cards emailed to parents

24 - 28 - Thanksgiving Break | No School

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

Reflections is a National PTA competition that each year asks children to express themselves through the arts! The theme this year is I Belong. For more information on the Reflection's 2025 Theme: https://ptaourchildren.org/explore-the-2025-2026-pta-reflections-theme-i-belong/.

Here at Dryden, we participate in the primary and intermediate age brackets, the Accessible Art division, and all 6 categories: Dance Choreography, Visual Arts, Literature, Photography, Film Production and Music Composition.

Click this link for detailed guidelines and information: Craft an Entry-Rules & Guidelines. The deadline for all Reflection's entries will be NOVEMBER 21st. Here is the entry form that must be submitted with your child's artwork.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me, your Dryden Reflections Chair, Erin Felten (erincfelten@gmail.com).

The Dryden PTA is hosting a Winter Gear Donation Drive and is asking for NEW or GENTLY-USED snow pants and winter boots in sizes ranging from 4T - Adult XL. Items can be dropped in the collection box located in the Front Office through December and will be used to support the Dryden Community (other Winter items are not needed at this time).

Thank you for your generosity! Please email DrydenPTA@gmail.com with any questions.

Parents - join us for some drinks and fun! Prizes will be awarded for best dressed, so get those ugly sweaters ready!

When: Thursday, December 11th 7PM

Where: Eddie's Bar (10 E Northwest Hwy, Arlington Heights)

RSVP Here: https://forms.gle/nFtNn9C57XZtkmk36

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November is the month to remember the contributions of Native Americans and Alaska Natives and to honor the unique heritage of our continent’s first inhabitants.

Also known as “The Day of the Dead”. It is a two day holiday that originated in Mexico, where it is mostly observed. The days honor friends and family members that have died.

Federal holiday to celebrate the anniversary of the World War I agreement between the Allied Powers and the Central Powers.

We honor all military veterans of the United States Armed Forces.

A day of giving thanks for the blessing of the harvest and of the preceding year. Celebrated the fourth Thursday in November, a federal holiday in all states.