Dryden Community Schools Newsletter
Small town attention. World class education.
2021 Spring Edition
Superintendent's Message
Dear Cardinal Families,
This advice from author Charles Swindoll is more appropriate this school year than ever:
“The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness, or skill. It will make or break a company...a church....a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past...we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude...I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it. And so it is with you...we are in charge of our attitudes.”
We are closer to the end of the school year than the beginning. Though this year has been challenging for everyone, I agree with Swindoll and believe that we are in control of our attitudes. I am choosing to reflect on the positive aspects of our year at Dryden Community Schools (so far!).
Here are some of this year's bright spots:
- Students and teachers were able to be together from the beginning of the school year after being isolated much of last spring and summer.
- Families and students are able to choose between in-person, virtual synchronous, or online asynchronous learning.
- Students are maintaining a positive attitude about this year despite changes and challenges.
- Our instructional flexibility allows us to minimize the effects of COVID with little to no educational disruptions.
- Everyone (students, parents, and staff) has accepted, learned, and shown grace to others.
- Athletics have returned and students have a safe, positive outlet to engage with their peers.
- Teachers consistently reach out to build relationships with all students while supporting their mastery of content with high expectations.
- Early College enrollment continues to increase, and 45 Dryden High School students are taking college courses.
- Families who chose to begin the year virtually have students who are returning to the classroom in increasing numbers.
Join me in reflecting positively on our school year. Is there something you would like to add to the list? If so, let us know! We would love to share your ideas!
On a calendar note, Friday, March 26 is the last day of school before Spring Break. School resumes on Tuesday, April 6.
Please reach out to us if we can help you or your family in any way.
Yours in Education,
Mary Finnigan
Superintendent
Class of 2021 Information
Dryden Junior/Senior High School News
Dear Cardinal Families,
Thank you for the grace you have shown our staff, your student, and yourselves. This school year has not been easy, but we are determined to make the best of our circumstances. We appreciate all you have done to support your child emotionally and academically.
The end of the 3rd marking period is April 9. As the warmer weather approaches, please encourage your student to keep working diligently toward completing work and earning passing grades. Assistance from teachers can be received during office hours, via email or virtual meetings, or through Google Classroom sites.
As always, please let us know if you have any questions or if we can help in any way.
Warmly,
Mary Finnigan
Dryden Junior/Senior High School Principal
Counselor's Corner
State Testing Information Coming Soon!
The testing schedule will be shared with parents prior to Spring Break.
Sincerely,
Kimberly Fleming
Counselor, Dryden Junior/Senior High School
Dryden Early College Academy Enrollment
OPPORTUNITIES WITH SIX HIGHER EDUCATION PARTNERS!
Spelling Bee Champions Crowned!
Dryden Elementary School
Dryden Junior High School
Dryden Elementary News
Dear Cardinal Families,
We are in the middle of our March is Reading Month activities at school and I hope that you’re embracing reading at home as well! I also hope that you’re enjoying Upside Down Magic! One great thing that you can do at home to support your child’s reading is to be a reader yourself. I got these tips from Scholastic Parents. You can find more information at their website - www.scholastic.com/parents/.
Surround yourself with reading material. Books don't belong only in libraries and classrooms. Make the written word a part of your living space, with books, magazines, and newspapers readily available throughout your home.
Buy or borrow books together. Whenever you're going to the library or bookstore, let your child come along. Even if you aren't looking for anything in particular, practice the art of book browsing and admiring. Make an event out of it and she'll learn to be exhilarated by the sight of books.
Don't be a solo reader. Open up conversations through reading by pausing to read an interesting fact aloud or wonder what an unfamiliar word means. Knowing that the reading experience is not a solitary activity will motivate reluctant readers.
Read for leisure. Show that reading isn't work. Cuddle up with a good book and you'll model how reading can be just the thing to make your day.
Bring something to read everywhere you go. From the office to home, or even the living room to the bedroom, make sure you're equipped with reading material — for yourself and your child. You never know when you'll have some downtime. Show him that reading is a constructive (and fun!) way to pass the time.
Emphasize the universal importance of reading. Librarians, teachers, students, mechanics, lawyers, doctors, architects, athletes . . . everyone reads. Show your child that reading is part of everyone's life by reading diverse works that serve different purposes. Consider cookbooks, television manuals, online magazines, and cereal boxes. Make a habit out of living through reading.
What about math? The benefits of reading stories to our children at nighttime have been shared countless times over, and for good reason. Reading improves literacy skills. Why is it that we don’t do math with our children before bed? We sometimes don’t talk about math like we talk about reading. Here are two great resources if you’re looking for a place to start: talkingmathwithkids.com and mathbeforebed.com.
I hope you have a great month of reading and mathing!
Sincerely,
Karen Roys
Principal
Dryden Elementary
One School, One Book
During the month of March, Dryden Elementary School will embark on a new and exciting project—a school-wide reading club called “One School, One Book”. Every elementary student (including 4 yr Prek/GSRP) and staff member will receive a copy of the same chapter book. The title was released at our kick-off on March 1st! It is Upside Down Magic!
In a nutshell, this is how the book club works: Each evening, following the reading calendar, everyone (staff & students/families) will be asked to read a designated chapter. The following day, students will be asked trivia questions about the previous night's reading.
In addition, we are planning several classroom and school-wide activities to unite the student body around the book. We encourage all of you to spark discussion with students around the book all month long. With the entire school reading the same book, there is sure to be a buzz of excitement in the building!
Through the One School, One Book program, our goal is to build a community of readers that includes students, parents, teachers, and other school staff. Not only will these nightly reading sessions enrich the literacy skills of children, but they will also promote discussion at home and at school.
We excitedly anticipate this journey through the land of literature together with staff, students and families.
March is Reading Month!
For more information or to register for the Cardinal Early Learning Academy, click here:
https://www.drydencardinalacademy.com/
Kelly Fuerst
Central Administrator
Cardinal Early Learning Academy
From the Assistant Principal/Athletic Director
Our Winter Sports Season will continue through the month after a delayed start. Thank you for your continued patience. Currently, there is a spectator limit in place for all events. For those that are not able to attend the event in person, watch your Cardinals on the NFHS Network. (https://www.nfhsnetwork.com/)
The MHSAA State Tournaments will run as follows:
Bowling Regionals: March 19-20
Competitive Cheer: March 20
Girls Basketball Districts: March 22-26 (Mon/Wed/Fri)
Boys Basketball Districts: March 23-27 (Tues/Thur/Sat)
We will share ticket information for each of these events as it is released from the MHSAA and GoFan. All tickets for the State Tournament will be pre-sale ONLY through GoFan with no tickets available at the door.
All spring sports will currently start on March 22!
The following sports are available this spring:
Baseball
Golf
Girls Soccer (co-op w/Imlay City)
Softball
Track & Field (High School & Junior High)
For any student who wants to participate in our Spring Sports Season, please make sure you have either a current physical or the MHSAA Health Questionnaire, if you have a physical from last year, on file in the office. These can be picked up in the office or found at the following links.
Physical - https://www.mhsaa.com/portals/0/Documents/health%20safety/physical2page.pdf
Health Questionnaire - https://www.mhsaa.com/portals/0/Documents/health%20safety/healthquestionnaire.pdf
The schedule can be found on our school website or at this link:
https://www.drydenschools.org/o/Dryden/page/athletics--1614
Thank you for your continued support, and we look forward to seeing you outside!
As always, Go Cardinals!
Ms. Loraine Brinker
Assistant Principal/Athletic Director
#PROUDCardinal
Dryden Junior/Senior High School Winter Sports Teams Rosters
Cheer:
Varsity Competitive:
(Co-Op with Imlay City)
12th grade: AnnaMaria Cronkright, Jenna Pagano
Coach Lisa Glenn
Varsity Sideline:
8th grade: Jade Insley
9th grade: Audrey Napolitano
10th grade: Abby Johnson
12th grade: AnnaMaria Cronkright, Teagan O'Bryan, Cassie Leach, Lauren Pease, Claire Sobek, Morgan Voss
Coach Jennifer Cronkright
Girls Basketball:
Junior High7th grade: Kaitlynn Knuth, Brianna Snavely, Mercedes West
8th Grade: Jalynn Delmotte, Jade Insley, Monica Kucharski, Kiera Miller, Isabella Weier, Lily Wright
Coach Matt Lopez
Junior Varsity
9th grade: Ava DeVlaminck, Sophia Peter, Olivia Stickler, Mackenzie Theobald, Delaney Wolle
10th grade: Lauren Abromaitis, Rilynn Lindsay
Coach Matt Lopez
Varsity
10th grade: Rilynn Lindsay
12th grade: Natalie Embree, Ella Kage, Riley Knox, Alexis Schuhrke, Olivia Miller, Miya Wolff
Coach Rick Kage
Boys Basketball:
6th & 7th Grade
6th grade: Gianni Coscione, Santiago Perales, Tyler Roberts, Brayden Schneider, Luke Taylor
7th grade: Nick Abromaitis, Bryce Davis, Brenden Peter, Ian Tresnak
Coach Rylan Rudd
8th Grade
Jacob Buffo, Sonny Coscione, Noah Daoud, Owen Gall, David Insley, Miles Maris, Dain Raymond, Drew Raymond
Coach Hunter Gall
Junior Varsity
9th grade: Joseph Delmotte, Hunter Hughes, Scott Lake, Antonio Tipsword
10th grade: Tommy Giles
11th grade: Ethan Knuth, Dylan Ledford
Coach Marcus Leija
Varsity
9th grade: Jacob Burgess
11th grade: Merrick Maris, Caden Meulebrouck
12th grade: Harry Atkinson, Jack Kaplan, Josh Schornak, Nathan Schenkel
Coach John DelCampo
It Starts In Dryden!
We're looking for Dryden graduates of any and all years to feature on our social media pages. Fill out the form here: https://goo.gl/forms/q9aZjWENFucIyxfx1
Dryden Community Schools School Board Meeting Schedule
March 8, 2021
April 12, 2021
May 10, 2021
June 14, 2021
All meetings begin at 7:00 p.m.,
will be held in the Dryden High School Library,
and are open to the public.
Attention: Masks MUST be worn in all buildings at this time.
If you plan to attend a board meeting, you must wear a mask.
Dryden Community Schools 2020-2021 Calendar
Dryden Community Schools 2021-2022 Calendar
Dryden Community Schools
Dryden Elementary School Principal
Loraine Brinker
Athletic Director
Dryden Junior/Senior High School Assistant Principal
Mary Finnigan
Superintendent
Dryden Junior/Senior High School Principal
Email: MFinnigan@dryden.k12.mi.us
Website: www.dryden.k12.mi.us
Location: 3866 Rochester Road, Dryden, MI, USA
Phone: 810-796-9534
Facebook: facebook.com/DrydenCommunitySchools
Twitter: @DrydenSchools