October is National Principals Month, and we happen to think we have some of the best around! 💜
Thank you for your unmatched dedication to our staff, students, and community. Your leadership, compassion, problem-solving, and #LionPride are what make our buildings run smoothly day in and day out. We appreciate you!
Cassavant & Freeville Elementary: Tia Dickson
Dryden Elementary: Katie Willson & Justin Wood
Dryden Middle School: Lora Champlain & Greg Harris
Dryden High School: Sarah Powell & Todd Kwiatkowski
Thank you for your unmatched dedication to our staff, students, and community. Your leadership, compassion, problem-solving, and #LionPride are what make our buildings run smoothly day in and day out. We appreciate you!
Cassavant & Freeville Elementary: Tia Dickson
Dryden Elementary: Katie Willson & Justin Wood
Dryden Middle School: Lora Champlain & Greg Harris
Dryden High School: Sarah Powell & Todd Kwiatkowski
See attached information from the Dryden Police Department regarding E-Bike and Scooter safety.
This is a reminder to please submit nominations for the #LionPride award throughout the school year.
Nominations could include district staff, community members, professional partners, students, or anyone who has distinguished themselves by not only living our mission, vision, and core values but going above and beyond in their efforts, work, or actions.
#LionPride Award Nominations will be accepted through June 30 of each school year, and reset on September 1 for the following school year. Any teacher or staff member who receives a #LionPride Award will also be considered for Teacher of the Year and Employee of the Year awards.
A link to the nomination form is available below and on our website under Staff, Community, and Parent/Student Resources. Thank you for helping us highlight our #LionPride Heroes!
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSewVBSGKurlnHLgFcP-BwWVb4bv-lkDglkmLMK3EAr15oC_bA/viewform
Nominations could include district staff, community members, professional partners, students, or anyone who has distinguished themselves by not only living our mission, vision, and core values but going above and beyond in their efforts, work, or actions.
#LionPride Award Nominations will be accepted through June 30 of each school year, and reset on September 1 for the following school year. Any teacher or staff member who receives a #LionPride Award will also be considered for Teacher of the Year and Employee of the Year awards.
A link to the nomination form is available below and on our website under Staff, Community, and Parent/Student Resources. Thank you for helping us highlight our #LionPride Heroes!
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSewVBSGKurlnHLgFcP-BwWVb4bv-lkDglkmLMK3EAr15oC_bA/viewform
We're kicking off our 2026-2027 Staff Spotlights with the amazing DES Teacher and DFA Co-President, Marilyn DeWitt!
Please join us in congratulating her for her #LionPride! 💜
Please join us in congratulating her for her #LionPride! 💜
We are so excited to have Dryden alum Ryan Dean and meteorologist Kate Thornton from NewsChannel 9 with us to showcase our #LionPride on this week's segment of Friday Morning Lights! 🏈
The live broadcast will air starting at 6am tomorrow (Sept. 25) and you won't want to miss it!
The live broadcast will air starting at 6am tomorrow (Sept. 25) and you won't want to miss it!
DES third grade teacher Cindy Simonet was nominated for the #LionPride award by her teammate Erin Preston!
We 💜 our amazing staff!
We 💜 our amazing staff!
Cassavant and Freeville Elementary will hold Open Houses on Thursday, September 24 from 6-7pm (Cassavant) and Thursday, October 1 from 6-7pm (Freeville).
We hope to see you there! #LionPride
We hope to see you there! #LionPride
Get ready to show off your #LionPride!
Next week is spirit week, and our elementary schools (DES, Cassavant, and Freeville) are celebrating with spirit days!
Tuesday, September 22: Sports Day: represent your favorite sports team! 🏈⚽
Wednesday, September 23: Crazy Hat or Hair Day: wear a silly hat or hairstyle! 🎩
Thursday, September 24: Pajama Day: wear pajamas to school! 😴
Friday, September 25: Purple & White Day: wear your school colors! 💜🤍
Next week is spirit week, and our elementary schools (DES, Cassavant, and Freeville) are celebrating with spirit days!
Tuesday, September 22: Sports Day: represent your favorite sports team! 🏈⚽
Wednesday, September 23: Crazy Hat or Hair Day: wear a silly hat or hairstyle! 🎩
Thursday, September 24: Pajama Day: wear pajamas to school! 😴
Friday, September 25: Purple & White Day: wear your school colors! 💜🤍
This is a reminder that our online school store is open, with new designs available as well! Show your #LionPride! 💜
Check it out at:
https://zapathletics.chipply.com/Dryden-CSD
Check it out at:
https://zapathletics.chipply.com/Dryden-CSD
Register for a FREE parent-child communication skills workshop on Tuesday evenings from 5-7:30pm, September 15 through November 3 at the High School!
Dinner is included and childcare is available upon request. This workshop is intended for parents and their children ages 6-10. Learn more and sign up at: CCETompkins.org/family
#LionPride! 💜
Good Afternoon,
It is hard to believe we are already halfway through the day!
This is just a reminder that as this is the first day, we want to make sure that everyone is safe and feels safe and gets to the right place, the right bus, the right daycare provider, the right house/bus stop, and the right pick up line, etc.
As a result departure from our elementary schools may be slightly later than normal as we double and triple check lists and dismissal plans. In addition, many students have a different dismissal plan on the first day of school then the one they will normally have, so this is another potential variable that requires some additional double checking.
We ask that you be patient with staff this afternoon as they learn who your child is and who you are and what your child's dismissal plan is today vs. the rest of the year, etc. Again, the time we are taking today to make sure the everyone gets to where they are supposed to be after school will diminish rapidly over the course of this week and next week.
We will message all PK-5 Parents once the last elementary bus has departed for its route to drop off students.
Please call your child's school's main office at 607.844.8694 and follow the voice prompts to the right school. Take care of yourself. Take care of each other. Always....#LionPride,!
It is hard to believe we are already halfway through the day!
This is just a reminder that as this is the first day, we want to make sure that everyone is safe and feels safe and gets to the right place, the right bus, the right daycare provider, the right house/bus stop, and the right pick up line, etc.
As a result departure from our elementary schools may be slightly later than normal as we double and triple check lists and dismissal plans. In addition, many students have a different dismissal plan on the first day of school then the one they will normally have, so this is another potential variable that requires some additional double checking.
We ask that you be patient with staff this afternoon as they learn who your child is and who you are and what your child's dismissal plan is today vs. the rest of the year, etc. Again, the time we are taking today to make sure the everyone gets to where they are supposed to be after school will diminish rapidly over the course of this week and next week.
We will message all PK-5 Parents once the last elementary bus has departed for its route to drop off students.
Please call your child's school's main office at 607.844.8694 and follow the voice prompts to the right school. Take care of yourself. Take care of each other. Always....#LionPride,!
Welcome back to school Lions! 🦁
Please help us keep our students safe by obeying posted speed limits in school zones (15 mph around the Elementary Schools, 25 mph around the MS/HS), and being mindful of crosswalks. Please utilize the button on crosswalks to activate the warning lights to alert drivers.
Let's work together to keep our school community safe! #LionPride!
Please help us keep our students safe by obeying posted speed limits in school zones (15 mph around the Elementary Schools, 25 mph around the MS/HS), and being mindful of crosswalks. Please utilize the button on crosswalks to activate the warning lights to alert drivers.
Let's work together to keep our school community safe! #LionPride!
As we prepare to welcome students back to school next week, we want to share the reminder that the District encourages you to reach out to us anytime your child is dealing with something big or small, in school or outside of school, at home or in the community, and we will always be more than willing to help you access the right resources and people to support you and your student.
You can submit a report anytime using the District Tip Line at https://www.dryden.k12.ny.us/.../tip-line-report-an-incident
#LionPride!
Please be aware of the District's plan to implement the NYS No Cell From Bell to Bell Policy at Dryden Middle School and High School.
Read the full policy on our website.
Please reach out to your student's main office with any questions. #LionPride
⚠️ A few important safety reminders as we approach the start of a new school year:
- Please be aware of school speed zones and follow limits. Speed limits in these zones are set by the NYS Department of Transportation and enforced by local law enforcement.
- Be aware of all surroundings and watch out for students at bus stops, in crosswalks, and on bikes.
- Look both ways when entering and exiting parking lots, and follow district procedures for drop off and pick up at each building.
- You MUST stop for a school bus when it is stopped with flashing lights on.
By following these procedures, we hope to keep our students happy, safe, and full of #LionPride!
- Please be aware of school speed zones and follow limits. Speed limits in these zones are set by the NYS Department of Transportation and enforced by local law enforcement.
- Be aware of all surroundings and watch out for students at bus stops, in crosswalks, and on bikes.
- Look both ways when entering and exiting parking lots, and follow district procedures for drop off and pick up at each building.
- You MUST stop for a school bus when it is stopped with flashing lights on.
By following these procedures, we hope to keep our students happy, safe, and full of #LionPride!
With just a couple of weeks left until the start of school, the Class of 2027 is ready to ROAR!
Some seniors gathered together to paint their parking spots for the upcoming year! 🦁
#LionPride!
Some seniors gathered together to paint their parking spots for the upcoming year! 🦁
#LionPride!
Parents and their children ages 6-10 are invited to join us on Tuesday evenings from 5-7pm, September 15 through November 3 at the High School for free parent-child communication classes!
Dinner is included and childcare is available upon request. Learn more and sign up at: CCETompkins.org/family
#LionPride! 💜
Dinner is included and childcare is available upon request. Learn more and sign up at: CCETompkins.org/family
#LionPride! 💜
There's no better time than back to school season to stock up on your #LionPride gear!
Visit our Dryden Lions Den Apparel Store for all the Lion Pride to start the new school year 🦁💜
https://zapathletics.chipply.com/Dryden-CSD
Visit our Dryden Lions Den Apparel Store for all the Lion Pride to start the new school year 🦁💜
https://zapathletics.chipply.com/Dryden-CSD
Attention families: Open Doors English: The Julie Rudd Coulombe Language Program of Ithaca, NY offers free English classes for adults at any level.
Fall Session runs September 8 through December 10, with classes offered Monday through Thursday in the morning, afternoon, or evening.
Visit www.opendoorsenglish.org or contact esloffice.ode@gmail.com to register!
Fall Session runs September 8 through December 10, with classes offered Monday through Thursday in the morning, afternoon, or evening.
Visit www.opendoorsenglish.org or contact esloffice.ode@gmail.com to register!
Dryden families and community members are invited to line the red carpet with #LionPride on Tuesday, September 1st from 7:30-7:50am to cheer on our staff as they kick off the 2026-2027 school year! 🦁💜
