Cardinal Connection

Our VISION is to be a top-performing elementary school where every student reaches their full potential.

Our MISSION is to provide an educational foundation of academic excellence and responsible social, civic, and ethical conduct. We achieve this by setting high expectations for all, holding one another accountable, using data to guide instruction and improvement, working together to create and maintain a positive school culture that inspires a growth mindset, and fostering meaningful connections among students, families, staff, and the community.

We VALUE positivity, kindness, gratitude, and assuming best intent. These principles shape our daily interactions, guiding us to treat each other with respect, show appreciation, support one another, and approach challenges with trust and understanding. Together, we build a safe, collaborative environment where everyone can grow and thrive.

HOURS OF OPERATION

Office Hours: 8:00 - 4:30 Monday-Friday

Building Hours: 8:15 - 3:35 Monday - Friday

Cardinal Club: 6:30 - 8:15 AM and 3:30 - 6:00 PM Monday - Friday

PLAYGROUND

The playground is closed to the public daily until 6:00 PM. Campus closes at dusk. As construction work continues, the playground will be closed after school until completed.

DROP-OFF DETAILS

Early Childhood drop-offs before 8:10- south front doors. Double and triple parking is not permitted..

Infants- north front doors. Double and triple parking is not permitted.

Cardinal Club- Music Door (steps by the gym in the back)

Early Childhood drop-offs after 8:10- south back doors. See parking map. Please use care and caution when travelling through the residential neighborhood on Pleasant Street. Exercise extreme caution in the parking lot and keep your children close. For everyone's safety, please use the crosswalk and avoid using the bus lane to cross. Yield for buses.

K-6th grade drop-off- north lot. Traffic may not flow onto Mill Street. Please find a parking spot in the north lot. Please drive safely in and out of the parking lot. Exercise extreme caution in the parking lot and keep your children close. Please use the sidewalk and avoid walking between buses.

BK-2nd grade students enter through the doors at the south end of the building (by the Early Childhood playground. Students in grades 3-6 enter using the north doors (by the gym and music room). Parents are welcome to walk with their children to the bottom of the steps.

Any child being dropped off on or after 8:25 must come into the building through the main front entrance.

PICK-UP DETAILS

Early Childhood including GSRP dismisses from the south back doors. Parents may meet students and teachers at the bottom of the steps.

BK-2 students dismiss from the back door by the ramp. Students in grades 3-6 dismiss from the back doors by the gym and music room. Parents may meet their children and teachers on the courtyard sidewalk by the big tree in the back.

FRONT PARKING

Spaces in front of the building are limited to 10 minute parking. If you have business with the school that exceeds 10 minutes, please park in the north lot. For everyone’s safety, the front of the building is NOT a designated drop-off or pick-up location during school hours (8:00 - 4:00).

September 15: Homecoming- Pajama/Comfy Monday

September 16: Homecoming- Twin Tuesday

September 17: Homecoming- Wacky Wednesday

September 18: Homecoming- BBQ Dad/Soccer Mom Thursday

September 19: Homecoming- Red and Black Friday; Football game at 7:00

September 22: 4th Grade Field Trip to Camp Skyline

September 23: 3rd Grade Field Trip for Project Red; 4th Grade Field Trip Bank Bound for LEAF

September 24: Wear it Wednesday- Twin Day

September 26: Super U Assembly

October 1: Wear it Wednesday- Cartoon Day

October 2: GSRP Field Trip to Westview Orchards

October 6-10: Scholastic Book Fair

October 6: Vision screening for 1st, 3rd, and 5th grades

October 7: Vision screening for 1st, 3rd, and 5th grades

October 8: Wear it Wednesday- Detroit Red Wings

October 15: Wear it Wednesday- Pink Day; 1st &2nd Grade Field Trip to the Detroit Zoo

October 16: Picture Day

October 17: End of 1st Marking Period

October 21: LEAF Deposit Day for 1st - 6th grades

October 24: Trunk or Treat

October 31: Halloween Parties and Parade

We are excited to welcome a new member to our team! Mrs. DelCampo is teaching Begindergarten and has 20 years of experience as an educator with background in Early Childhood as well as lower elementary. Her positive energy and passion about education and providing children with a nurturing and engaging environment will be an asset to our school.

Congratulations to Mrs. Hickmott for being the recipient of this month's Golden Apple Award. Mrs. Hickmott is a "shining example of patience, understanding, and persistence."

At Dryden Elementary, we know that small acts of kindness and recognition can make a big difference. Our new Caring Cardinals section is a place where parents, students, staff, and community partners can give shout outs, share notes of appreciation, and celebrate the good things happening in and around our school.

When we take time to acknowledge one another, we strengthen connections and build a culture where everyone feels valued. Recognizing effort, kindness, and teamwork not only boosts individual spirits but also sets an example for our students about the power of gratitude.

Caring Cardinals is one more way we come together as a school community to lift each other up. We encourage you to participate—whether it’s thanking a teacher, celebrating a student’s hard work, recognizing a helpful classmate, or appreciating a community partner who supports our school. Together, these moments of recognition help create the positive, supportive environment that makes our school special.

September 15-19: Homecoming. The football game is at 7:00 on September 17th.

Friday Night Lights with TMobile

Athletic Boosters- Meetings September 17th and October 15th; Volunteers needed for concessions.

2026 School Trip (7th-12 grades) to Washington DC registration is due September 26th

Basketball Golf Outing is September 27th. Team spots are still available.

For more information about activities, please visit drydenschools.org and click EVENTS.

OK2SAY is the student safety program which allows students to confidentially report tips on potential harm or criminal activities directed at students, school employees, and schools. It uses a comprehensive communication system to facilitate tip sharing among students, parents, school personnel, community mental health service programs, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, and law enforcement officials about harmful behaviors that threaten to disrupt the learning environment.

• Morning Crossing Guard/Recess/Lunch Aide
• Early Childhood Aide
• Special Education Paraprofessional

It is our attendance initiative aimed at:

~Limiting absences to 5 or fewer for the school year

~Achieving a daily attendance rate of 95%

~Providing attendance Incentives

~Goals, Competition, Recognition

~Supporting students and families

If your child will be out, please call Ms. Rachel in the office at (810)796-2201.

If you need attendance support, please reach out to Mrs. Martin, our Mental Health Specialist, or Mrs. Abromaitis, our principal.

Dear Dryden Elementary Supporter-

Like many of you, I have fond memories of my Grandmother saving all the box tops and soup labels for my elementary school as I grew up. She would store these in a special place in her house, and when there was a kickoff and challenge between the classes to get the most, my Grandmother made sure we were going to win!!

I have wonderful news!! Box Tops for Education still exists, and we no longer need to cut and save all those small boxes or soup labels!! There is an app for that! All you have to do is enter a picture of your shopping receipt on the app and it does the rest! Any eligible item with Box Tops is logged and totaled for you automatically. Please consider getting this app and designating Dryden Elementary School to receive the proceeds every time you shop for groceries! A little adds to a lot with many, so please share with other family members and friends to help!

Becky Grumley

PTA Mission:

• 🤝 Build strong partnerships between parents, teachers, and staff

• 🎉 Enhance the educational experience through programs, events, and resources

• 🌱 Ensure every child has opportunities to grow, learn, and thrive

• 🧸 The PTA is working to be all inclusive of all students — including Early Childhood & GSRP

Event recap:

• Coffee Truck
• SnoCone Social

• Transportation fund
• Gaga Ball Pit
• Popcorn Fridays
• Book Fair volunteers
• Trunk or Treat

Our next meeting is December 3rd at 6:30 PM at Dryden Elementary.

If any of the following have changed, please contact Ms. Rachel in the main office to update our records. We want you to be in the loop!

• name
• address
• phone number
• email address

(810)796-2201