Dryden Splash | September 28, 2025

Dear Dryden Families,

We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the Dryden PTA and all the families who contributed to the recent Stock the Lounge event. Your generous donations of snacks and drinks were a wonderful treat that brought smiles to our faces and energy to our days. Knowing we have such thoughtful and supportive families behind us means the world, and it truly helps make Dryden a special place to teach and learn. Thank you for your kindness and continued support. It is deeply appreciated!

Warmly,

Jessica Martinsen and the entire Dryden Staff

We appreciate the families who have already submitted their child’s required health forms.

However, some submissions are still missing or contain incomplete information. As we approach the State of Illinois REQUIRED EXCLUSION date of October 15th, it is crucial that all necessary forms are provided to avoid any interruption in your child’s education.

Our school nurses have been reaching out to families who need to submit updated information, so please be attentive to any communication via voicemail, email, or backpack mail. For any questions or further assistance, please visit our D25 Health Services page for the school nurse contact information.

Physical/Immunization Record:

• Required for all kindergarten and new students

• The physical must be dated on or after August 21, 2024

• Parents must complete and sign the health history section

• Immunizations Requirements must be met or include a MD approved schedule of administration

• Failure to submit the form and have it reviewed by the School Nurse prior to the OCTOBER 15th deadline will result in your child being EXCLUDED from school

Vision Exam Form:

• Required for all kindergarten and students new to the state of Illinois

• The exam must be completed by a licensed eye doctor and dated on or after August 21, 2024

• The official State of Illinois Eye Examination form is required

In order for the office to be able to accurately report student attendance, any student who arrives at school after 9:05 A.M. in the morning or after 1:15 P.M. in the afternoon MUST report to the office to check in with the Administrative Assistant. Likewise, any student leaving school after class is in session MUST check out with the Administrative Assistant in the office. Parents should send a note requesting an early dismissal and should pick their child up in the office if he/she is leaving early.

As we work together to ensure student safety, we kindly ask all parents, grandparents, and caregivers to help model safe behavior around the school’s parking lot and driveway during arrival and dismissal. Here are a few important reminders:

• Use sidewalks whenever possible. Please avoid walking through the driveway or parking lot.

• If you must cross the parking lot, use the designated crosswalk. This is the safest way to meet your child at the door.

• Students should not cross the parking lot alone during arrival or dismissal. It’s a very busy time of day.

• Remember: we are all modeling safe behavior. Our children are learning how to navigate traffic, driveways, and streets by watching the adults around them, even when we think they’re not looking!

Thank you for your attention to these safety practices and for helping us keep Dryden a safe and caring community.

Please click here for information on the following:

• Costume guidelines
• Going home for lunch
• Parade route
• Classroom parties
• And more!

We look forward to a safe and fun parade and celebration for our students!

Have you ever wondered who helps make Dryden such a special place every day? Our Staff Visual Directory is a great way to learn more about the incredible team that supports our students and school community. Take a look to see photos of our staff members and discover fun facts about their families, hobbies, and favorite things. From favorite foods to weekend activities, there's so much to learn and love about the people who make Dryden feel like home. Check it out and get to know the friendly faces that help make our school amazing!

https://read.bookcreator.com/tZKjnWSy6cTrdYCXaR5ExkmcPZO2/FDjGdjn0T7izhrGhmWQcvg

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.

Come meet Dryden teachers and staff at any of the five locations listed below and enjoy a healthy walk to school together while taking in the beauty of the fall season! Dryden staff will be wear school spirit wear and their ID badges. Departure from the meeting locations to Dryden will begin at 8:40 am. We look forward to seeing you there!

School will be closed on Thursday, October 2, 2025.

Kindergarten through 3rd grade students will be attending the Land of Smiles assembly during the school day to learn about dental care, healthy eating, and the importance of visiting the dentist. Be sure to ask them for some helpful tips!

We are preparing and looking forward to meeting with you during Parent Teacher Conferences. Parent Teacher Conferences will take place Thursday, October 23, 2025 from 8:20 am to 7:40 pm and Friday, October 24, 2025 from 8:20 am - 11:40 am.

An email was sent home on Wednesday, September 25, 2025 at 7:00 pm to all families with the directions and link to sign up for parent/teacher conferences. Please review your emails or contact the Dryden School office at 847-398-4280 if you missed it and need help to sign up for your conferences.

5th grade parents, don’t forget to order your kid(s) a t-shirt to commemorate their last year as a Dryden dolphin! The shirt is worn throughout the year at various school events, including the end of year trip to Sunrise Camp.

Orders are due TODAY (Sunday, September 28) to ensure we have them in time for the Fall Musical. Submit your order using this link before time runs out!

For questions, please email ErikaLPace@gmail.com.

Get ready for a night of fun! Our 3rd-4th Grade Activity Night is happening on Thursday, November 13, from 7:00–8:00 PM in the Dryden Gym.

It’s going to be an evening full of games, laughter, and excitement! Keep an eye out for an email with sign-up details!

Chess Club will take place during lunch recess on Tuesdays October 14, 21, 28 and November 4. New chess players will start with No Stress Chess sets to learn how the game works. Experienced players will play regular chess. Mrs. Kovacic and other parent volunteers will help set up games and teach skills. Students will come to the LMC during their lunch recess: Grade 1, 12-12:30; Grades 2 and 4, 12:30-1:00; and Grades 3 and 5, 1-1:30.

Chess Club is looking for parent volunteers; be sure to mark in the registration form if you would like to volunteer! Please email laura.strausbaugh@gmail.com with any questions. A sign-up link will go out via Directory Spot email on Tuesday, 9/30 at 7pm and closes Tuesday 10/7. Space is limited.

Great news! Fund the ‘Phin has been extended until Sunday, October 5th! Thanks to your kindness and generosity, we’ve already reached 50% of our $9,000 goal! Let’s keep the momentum going and come together to reach 100% for our students, staff and families.

Act now and get your donations in to help us spread kindness and make waves! A big, heartfelt thank you to all who have donated so far! We couldn’t do it without you!

Donate here: https://my.cheddarup.com/c/fund-the-phin-2025/items

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October commemorates the first Polish settlers as well as the leadership of General Kazimierz Pułaski and Tadeusz Kościuszko who fought in the American Revolution.

We also honor the contributions of Polish-Americans in the areas of arts, sciences, culture and more.

October is National Italian-American Heritage Month. This month was first recognized by the US Congress in October 1989 as a tribute to all Italian-Americans' achievements and contributions to our nation. It is a time to highlight the cultural impact of the Italian-American community.

Yom Kippur is the Jewish holiest day, known as Day of Atonement. The 25-hour period is devoted to prayer, fasting, and repentance.

*Date changes year to year

Columbus Day is a federal holiday in the United States, which officially celebrates the anniversary of Christopher Columbus' arrival in the Americas. Columbus went ashore at Guanahaní, an island in the Bahamas, on October 12, 1492.

On Indigenous Peoples’ Day, we honor America’s first inhabitants and the Tribal Nations that continue to thrive today. It is a day for our nation to celebrate the invaluable contributions and resilience of Indigenous peoples and recognize the communities and cultures throughout our country.

A federal holiday celebrated on the second Monday in October.

A Hindu festival of lights celebrated especially in India. The five-day festival celebrates the victory of light over darkness.

*Date changes year to year