Splash 8.31.25
August 31 2025
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, 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:
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Door 1 and Door 2 for general entry
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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!
MAP Testing | September 11–18, 2025
All Dryden students will take part in the district MAP (Measures of Academic Progress) assessments between September 11 and 18, 2025. Classroom teachers will share specific testing dates and times.
MAP is a computer-based, adaptive multiple-choice test in reading and math. The difficulty of questions adjusts based on each student’s responses, providing a personalized assessment experience. Both assessments together take approximately 1–2 hours to complete.
For more information about district and state assessments, click here.
To help students feel prepared and confident, we recommend ensuring they get a good night’s sleep, eat a healthy breakfast, and receive positive encouragement at home.
Dryden Safety Patrol Interest Meeting
We’re excited to kick off another great year of Student Safety Patrol! An informational meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 3, from 12:00–12:30 PM in Miss DaSilva’s room for all interested 4th and 5th graders. If your child was part of Patrol last year, we encourage them to attend to hear about new roles and responsibilities being introduced this year. 5th graders will eat lunch during the meeting.
If your child has any allergies we should be aware of, or if they are unable to attend, please reach out to Miss DaSilva or Mrs. Martini.
We look forward to seeing our returning and new Patrol members!
HMH Into Reading
HMH Into Reading is our district's core K–5 literacy program designed to build strong, confident readers and writers. Grounded in the latest science of reading research, which uses evidence-based practices to teach essential skills like phonics, vocabulary, reading, comprehension, and writing in ways proven to work. Teachers use assessments, observations, and small-group instruction to personalize learning for each child. Students engage with meaningful texts and a balance of reading, writing, and word study, building both strong foundations and a lifelong love of literacy.
UPDATED - 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:
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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.
Student Medication Reminder
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.
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.
Patriot Day Remembrance | September 11, 8:45 am
Students and parents are invited to join Mr. Toerner on September 11th for a moment of remembrance. We will gather together at 8:45 am by the flagpole in front of the school to share a moment singing a few meaningful songs. This gathering provides an opportunity to pause together as a school community and reflect on the significance of the day.
Thursday, September 11 | Curriculum Night, 6:00 - 7:30 pm
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
Thursday, September 11 | 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.
Get Ready for the First Stock the Lounge!
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.
Show Your Dryden Pride!
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
Get your Run on and Fun on!
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!
Get Your Fall Flowers Today - Support Dryden during the Annual Fall Mum Sale!
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
Labor Day | September 1
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
A day to honor the victims who lost their lives in the attacks on September 11, 2001. On this day, we remember the victims at the World Trade Center in New York City, the Pentagon in Virginia, and passengers of United Flight 93 in Pennsylvania.
Hispanic Heritage Month | September 15 - October 15
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.
Rosh Hashanah | Begins September 22
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