Splash (01)

Principal Welcome

Dear Dryden Families,

I hope this letter finds you well and enjoying the final weeks of summer with your loved ones. It is with great excitement and gratitude that I introduce myself as the new principal of Dryden Elementary School. As an experienced elementary principal, I am thrilled to begin this new chapter and feel truly honored to join a school community known for its involvement, support, and dedication to children.

From the moment I first visited Dryden, it was clear that this is a place where students are deeply cared for, where learning is a joyful and shared experience, and where families and staff work hand-in-hand to help every child grow and thrive. I am proud to be joining such a strong and welcoming school family.

As we prepare for the year ahead, I look forward to getting to know each of you and build lasting relationships with our students, staff, and families. Our shared goal will always be to support your child’s academic success, social development, and overall well-being. I am committed to ensuring that every student feels seen, supported, and inspired to do their best each day.

This year brings a few staffing updates I’d like to share with you:

New Staff Joining Dryden:

John Toerner - Full-time Music Teacher
Jenny Scapillato - Band Teacher
Madison Spencer - Part-time P.E. Teacher
Abby Wagener - Full-time Speech and Language Pathologist
Elizabeth Clark - Part-time Speech and Language Pathologist
Olivia Weisman - Part-time Music Teacher

We are excited to welcome these talented individuals to our team and know they will bring great energy and expertise to our school.

In the coming weeks and months, there will be many opportunities for us to connect. From back-to-school events and classroom visits to PTA meetings and community celebrations, I truly look forward to getting to know each of you and hearing what makes Dryden special through your eyes. Please stay tuned for a full list of upcoming events in the newsletter items below.

As we start this exciting school year together, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me (JMartinsen@sd25.org) or to our Assistant Principal, Dr. Beth Glass (BGlass@sd25.org), with any questions, concerns, or ideas. You can also reach us by calling the Dryden School office at (847) 398-4280. We are here to support you and your children every step of the way.

Here’s to a wonderful school year full of learning, growth, and community!

Sincerely,
Jessica Martinsen

Dropping our daughter off at her college dorm, this photo makes me smile and cry (tears of joy and pride). She’s my hero. An equestrian through and through, she leads with care, chooses the hard path when it matters, and inspires me every day. I’m so proud of her…and also proud of my husband for only crying a little and supporting me when it was time to leave. 🐎❤️🎓

Tuesday, August 12 | Kindergarten Meet & Greet – A Dryden Tradition!

We are excited to welcome our incoming kindergarten families to a beloved Dryden tradition, the PTA Kindergarten Meet & Greet! Join us on Tuesday, August 12, from 6:30 to 7:30 PM on the Dryden School playground for an evening of play, connection, and a special treat.

This is a wonderful opportunity for students to meet new classmates and for families to begin building community. We can’t wait to see you there!

Please note: If the weather is inclement, this event will be rescheduled to Thursday, August 14 from 6:30 to 7:30 pm. Parents will be notified via email.

Wednesday, August 13 | School Tours for New Students, 2:00 - 3:00 pm

We warmly invite incoming kindergarteners and new students to tour Dryden School with their parents on Wednesday, August 13, beginning at 2:00 PM. Our amazing 5th grade student ambassadors will lead the tours, which will last approximately 30 minutes. It’s a great chance for new students to become familiar with the school and feel at home before the first day!

RSVP’s are required. Please click here to RSVP. The deadline to RSVP is noon on Monday, August 11, 2025.

Thursday, August 14 | Class Assignments Sent via Email

Class assignments will be emailed on Thursday, August 14, to families who have completed the online registration process. Please note that because emails are sent out district-wide, delivery times may vary. You may receive your assignment at a different time than others in our school community. We appreciate your patience as the system works to send out all assignments throughout the day!

Wednesday, August 20 | PTA Meet & Greet/Ice Cream Social

Dryden staff will be wearing our staff shirts and ID badges—we’re here to help you find your way and make you feel at home! We’re excited to welcome you and look forward to getting to know you.

Event Schedule:
2:30 – 3:15 PM – Visit classrooms and meet your teachers
3:15 – 4:00 PM – Enjoy a sweet treat in the Commons, courtesy of our wonderful PTA!

To help keep our school clean and safe, we kindly ask that all food and drinks stay in the Commons. Please avoid bringing them into the hallways or classrooms.

Thursday, August 21 | First Day of School for Students

Schedule for the Day

8:50 am - Arrival / Staff Supervision begins
9:05 am - Tardy Bell
11:30 am - 12:30 pm - Lunch / Recess for Kindergarten & 1st Grade
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm - Lunch / Recess for 2nd & 4th Grade
12:30 pm - 1:30 pm - Lunch / Recess for 3rd & 5th Grade
3:35 pm - Dismissal

*Please look for an email on Friday, August 15 detailing arrival, dismissal, carline, parking and lunch hour procedures.

Friday, August 22 | Parent Welcome Coffee, 9:15 am

Come meet Principal Jessica Martinsen, Assistant Principal Dr. Beth Glass, PTA representatives, and fellow Dryden families! This is a great opportunity to learn about school procedures, ask questions, and share your ideas for helping Dryden Elementary be the best it can be.

We’d love to know if you’re coming! Please click here to RSVP by noon on Wednesday, August 20!

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)

We look forward to partnering with you for a wonderful year!

School Supplies

Families are welcome to drop off school supplies in classrooms during the Meet & Greet Ice Cream Social on August 20, or students may bring them on the first day of school, August 21.

If you pre-ordered a school supply kit through the PTA, it will be delivered directly to your child’s classroom before the Meet & Greet event.

Click here to view school supply lists for all grade levels.

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 PTA

Please visit the PTA website at www.drydenpta.org and sign up to receive the PTA newsletter. It’s PTA's primary resource and the best way to stay up-to-date on upcoming events or easily access pertinent information.

UKRAINE INDEPENDENCE DAY | August 24

Ukraine Independence Day takes place on August 24 and it marks Ukraine's declaration of independence from the U.S.S.R. in 1991. The day is celebrated with great enthusiasm and is the most popular day of the year for Ukrainians around the world.

WOMEN’S EQUALITY DAY | August 26

Established by Congress in 1971 to commemorate the 1920 passage of the Nineteenth Amendment granting women the right to vote, and to encourage the ongoing efforts for women’s equality in all areas of American life.