Dear Dryden Families,

Over the past three months, our home, school, and work worlds have been turned upside down. We all continue to struggle with the impacts of the Coronavirus pandemic on our lives. You can be sure, however, that your Dryden family will be here for you.

We will continue meal distribution on Mondays and Thursdays from 8:00-10:00 a.m. at Dryden Elementary School until the end of June, with hopes of approval to keep feeding our students all summer. Since March, we have provided over 45,000 meals to those 18 and younger in our community.

Teachers and staff have worked diligently to engage students from home. We pride ourselves on the strong relationships we build between staff and students. Whether through email, online meetings, phone calls, or home visits, these relationships have continued to grow.

As the Class of 2020 missed out on traditional senior events, we worked with parents and community members to develop new traditions that honor our graduates. Caps and gowns were personally delivered to each senior at their homes. Photo banners hang in downtown Dryden, and we held a Parade of Graduates which culminated with a 20:20 countdown and balloon launch on Stremler Field. Graduation will be held on July 31. Further details about these events can be found below.

Our very own Cardinal is wrapping up visits to the homes of our students. He's bringing love, goodies, and smiles to our Dryden family. When he's finished, he will have visited each of the over 375 homes where our students live. From 3-year-old PreSchool students to graduating seniors, everyone was happy to see him fly by!

As we find ourselves returning to adjusted daily routines, the question asked most often is "What is school going to look like in the fall?". Although we are certain it won't be the same as it was pre-pandemic, we are not yet sure what changes will need to be made in our daily policies and procedures. At the time of this newsletter, the State of Michigan Return to School Advisory Council is working hard to develop a set of recommendations for the 2020-2021 school year. In order to provide you with reliable information, we are not releasing any decisions until those guidelines are shared. Be assured that you will be the first to know!

In the meantime, know that we are thinking of you and are here to help. Please reach out to us if we can assist you in any way.

Yours in Education,

Mary Finnigan

Superintendent

Cardinal Camp, Preschool and Childcare are open for Summer and Fall enrollment.

Year-round preschool is being offered for all 3 and 4 year old students.

Spots are limited, so please call or email Kelly Fuerst at 810-796-2201 ext. 4085 or at kfuerst@dryden.k12.mi.us

Due to child health and safety concerns, parents are required to wear a mask when entering the school for student drop off and pick up. Each student is also required to keep their school supplies separate during the 2020-2021 school year.

These school supplies include:

• Water bottle (please label)

• Glue sticks

• Pencils

• Markers

• Crayons

• Scissors

The Early College High School Initiative provides students the opportunity to receive a high school diploma and an Associate degree or up to two years of college credit by taking a mixture of high school and college classes.

Dryden High School partners with the following institutions: Oakland University, Ferris State University, University of Michigan - Flint, Mott Community College, Macomb Community College, and Baker College.

Feel free to contact Mrs. Fleming for additional information (kfleming@dryden.k12.mi.us).

See the video below!

This past Spring has been a challenging one, but we are looking forward to the Fall Sports season.

There have been a couple of changes we want to make you aware of.

1. Students who participated in a sport last year and have a 2019-20 physical on file will need to complete the 2020-21 MHSAA Sports Health Questionnaire and may not need to get a new physical. The form can either be picked up at the HS office or printed from the MHSAA website. (https://www.mhsaa.com/Schools/Forms-Resources)

2. Students that did not participate in a sport during the 2019-2020 school year and do not have a physical on file WILL NEED to get a physical PRIOR to any conditioning/practicing. The form can also be picked up at the HS office or printed from the MHSAA website. (https://www.mhsaa.com/Schools/Forms-Resources)

3. Our coaches have been informed of and will continue to utilize the safety protocols and guidelines set forth by the CDC and MHSAA. Coaches will only hold OUTDOOR conditioning for our student-athletes at this time. (https://www.mhsaa.com/News/Announcements/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/9148/Sports-Re-Opening-Guidance)

Just a reminder that ALL student-athletes must have BOTH a physical/questionnaire and concussion form on file in the office in order to participate.

Each student-athlete must take a practice card signed from the office to your first official day of practice. This card will verify that you are eligible to play and have the necessary paperwork on file in the office. You will not be allowed to try-out/practice without this card. If you have any questions about athletics, please visit our page: http://www.dryden.k12.mi.us/departments/athletics.

All HS sports practices/tryouts will begin as follows for the 2020-21 School Year:

• Fall Sports

• Aug 10

• Football*

• Aug 12

• Cross Country

• Volleyball

• Boys Soccer*

• Football Sideline Cheer*

• Winter Sports

• Nov 9

• Girls Basketball

• Competitive Cheer*

• Nov 16

• Boys Basketball

• Basketball Sideline Cheer

• Bowling

• Wrestling*

• Spring Sports

• Mar 15

• Baseball

• Golf

• Softball

• Track

• Girls Soccer*

(* Cooperative with Imlay City)

Coaches will host conditioning & summer workouts throughout July. Please check out the Dryden Community Schools and Dryden Athletic Boosters Facebook pages for more details.

As always, Go Cardinals!

Ms. Loraine Brinker

Assistant Principal/Athletic Director