Dryden Splash | April 19, 2026

Parking Reminder: Southminster Church Lot Restrictions

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.

Dear Dryden Families,

What a sweet way to kick off spring! Our PTA’s Cap’s Ice Cream “Coolest School” event on April 14th was a huge hit and we truly lucked out with beautiful weather. It was so fun seeing Dryden students and families out enjoying Cap’s delicious ice cream, made even better by our Celebrity Scoopers: your very own Dryden teachers! A big thank you to Mrs. Foster, Mr. Holston, Mrs. Sainer, Miss Wilson, Miss Considine, Mrs. Morizzo, Miss Hale, Miss Johnson, Mrs. Quick, Mrs. Glaser, Mrs. Riesing, Mrs. Applebaum, Mrs. Kovacic, and Mrs. O’Hara for rolling up their sleeves and scooping with smiles. Because of their efforts (and your sweet tooth!), Dryden earned 10% of all purchases for our PTA. I even jumped in to help and learned something very important: scooping ice cream is hard work! Be sure to check out the photos below. You might spot a familiar face behind the counter or eating ice cream.

We also had the pleasure of welcoming the families of our incoming kindergarten students at our Kindergarten Information Night on Thursday, April 16th. Our kindergarten team and I enjoyed meeting so many new faces and sharing what makes Dryden such a special place to learn and grow. Families had the opportunity to hear about our program, ask thoughtful questions, and tour the building. It was a wonderful evening filled with excitement and anticipation. We are so grateful for the opportunity to begin building these connections and are already looking forward to welcoming our newest learners in the fall. We can’t wait for them to become part of our Dryden family!

Warmly,

Jessica Martinsen

Serving Up Smiles at Cap’s!

2026 - 2027 Student Information Profile | Parent Survey due May 1

If you wish to share information about your child that you would like to have considered for your child’s 2026 - 2027 class placement, please complete this form by Friday, May 1, 2026. You can access the form by clicking HERE or clicking on the blue button below. Class assignments will be finalized in mid-August and then emailed to parents.

2026-2027 Student Information Profile

Students NOT Returning to Dryden 2026-2027

As we plan for the 2026-2027 school year, it will help us to know if your students (currently in Kindergarten - 4th Grade) will not be returning to Dryden. Please complete one form for each student by clicking here or on the blue button below. Please contact administrative assistant Mrs. Porwit at mporwit@sd25.org if you have any questions.

Students NOT Returning to Dryden 2026-2027

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).

Host a Table at Multicultural Night!

We are very excited about our second-ever Multicultural Night on Thursday, April 30th! As a Dryden community, let’s come together to teach, learn, and share about our many cultural backgrounds. This special event encourages all Dryden families in Kindergarten through 5th grade to participate.

We would love for families to showcase their cultural backgrounds. Families can create a display, at home, of their cultural background to bring to the fair. This may include food, toys, games, clothing, pictures, books, posters, tri-folds, dioramas, written articles, and electronic presentations.

If you're interested in showcasing your cultural background, here are some ideas:

Host a Table: (These are all optional ways to participate.)

Make a trifold poster board and include an information sheet with fun facts, photos, and more!
Bring objects that kids can handle such as maps, flags, textiles, books, toys, clothing, pictures, games, art, etc. for your table.
Prepare a media presentation to showcase.
Bring food for everyone to sample and enjoy (please also bring forks, spoons, plates, bowls)

OR

Enjoy the Fair (no need to fill out this form):

Come dressed in clothing that celebrates your cultural background.
Visit each table to complete your passport

Please be sure to fill out the google form below to let us know how you'll participate! Please respond by April 23rd If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Susan Menel at smenel@sd25.org or Mrs. Yolanda Bolithon at ybolithon@sd23.org.

Click HERE to host a table to represent your culture at Multicultural Night!

Last year's Multicultural Night was a huge success because families like yours participated!

Kindergarten & New Student Pre-Registration NOW Open!

Pre-registration for kindergarten and students in grades 1 - 5 who will be new to Dryden is now open. Information and step-by-step registration guidance will be available on the district website at www.sd25.org/Registration on that date.

If you know of someone with a kindergarten-aged child or new family to the neighborhood, please encourage them to pre-register or give us a call at 847-398-4280. Thank you for helping us to get the word out!

Please note: Registration for current Dryden students will begin in the spring. You will receive an email in late spring with a registration link. There is nothing you need to do at this time.

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.

April

April 20-24: Spirit Wear Upcycle

April 22: Wear Green and Blue for Earth Day

April 23: PTA Trivia Night

April 29: Walk to School Day

April 30: Multicultural Night

May

May 4 : Color Spirit Day (See flyer below)

May 4-8: Teacher/Staff Appreciation Week

May 5: Pickleball Club

May 8: Kindergarten Musical

May 12: Pickleball Club

May 14: May/June/July Birthday Books

May 14: Dryden School Colors Day

May 14: PTA General Member Meeting (6:30pm open door, 7pm meeting)

May 15: World of Work & Luncheon/Slideshow

May 19: Pickleball Club

May 21: Movie or Game Spirit Day

May 21: HS Senior Walk

May 26: Pickleball Club

May 26-27: Kindergarten Screenings

May 27: Sunrise Lake

May 29: Kona Ice

June

June 4: Field Day

June 4: 5th Grade Walk the Halls

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

Dryden Spiritwear Upcycle Week!

Help us celebrate Earth Day by participating in our annual Dryden spirit wear up-cycle event! Donate spirit wear you've outgrown or don't need anymore through Friday, April 24th. PTA will be collecting any gently used Dryden spirit wear in the labeled bin outside of the nurse's office. We will collect, sort and clean everything, then do a free raffle to interested families using a Google Form that will be shared at a later date. Please contact lindsay.nugent@gmail.com with any questions.

Calling All PTA Volunteers for 2026-2027!

Summer will be here before we know it! As we look ahead to the 2026-2027 school year, we’ll have many PTA Chair and Volunteers opportunities for our Dolphin parents. We’ll need LOTS of helpers to keep our programming, clubs, and activities going for Dryden students next year! Plus, volunteering with PTA is a great way to get involved and meet other Dryden families.

Follow us on social media for updates & happenings! If you have any questions about volunteering please email drydenpta@gmail.com or read and submit the form below for next year’s activities:

2026-2027 PTA Events: Volunteer Interest Form

Thank you for being part of the Dryden PTA Community!

**Please note: for ROOM REPRESENTATIVES there will be a different signup form sent out once classroom assignments have been announced in August. A separate survey has been sent to 4th grade families shortly to plan for next year's 5th grade activities. If you have any questions or concerns about volunteering please email drydenpta@gmail.com.

Join Dryden PTA

Sync the Dryden PTA Calendar to your phone!

Shop Dryden Spirit Wear

Purchase Dryden Yearbooks

Subscribe to the Dryden PTA Newsletter

Connect with Dryden PTA on Facebook & Instagram!

ARAB-AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH

In April 2022, April was first officially recognized as National Arab American Heritage Month. The month celebrates the Arab American heritage and culture and pays tribute to the contributions of Arab Americans and Arabic-speaking Americans.

PASSOVER (Begins APR 1)

Passover, also called Pesach, is a major Jewish holiday that celebrates freedom and justice. Passover is celebrated with two traditional meals called seders, on the first two nights of the holiday. Seder translates to "order" in Hebrew, because there is a ritual order of the prayers read and the foods eaten.

*dates change from year to year

GOOD FRIDAY- April 03, EASTER- April 5, ORTHODOX EASTER- April 12

Easter, also called Pascha or Resurrection Sunday, is an important Christian festival and cultural holiday commemorating the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Countries that traditionally observe the Orthodox Easter period include: Bulgaria, Cyprus, Greece, Lebanon, Republic of Macedonia, Romania, Russia, and Serbia.

GOOD FRIDAY: Good Friday, also known as Holy Friday or Great Friday, is a Christian holiday commemorating the Crucifixion and the death of Jesus Christ.