Dryden Community Schools Newsletter
Small town attention. World class education.
2020 Holiday Edition
Superintendent's Message
At this time last year, we were preparing for a holiday filled with family gatherings and celebrations of the season. This year, much has changed. Our parties may be smaller. We may see our loved ones onscreen instead of in person. The festivities may be tempered with caution, but this remains the same: We are here for you.
If you or your family need assistance of any sort, please reach out and let us know.
To help explain what to do if you or a family member has been exposed to or has tested positive for COVID, the most updated information from the Lapeer County Health Department can be found below.
Today, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services announced a Gatherings and Face Mask Order that will be in effect until December 20, 2020. Under this order, high schools are not permitted to hold in-person instruction, and K-12 athletics (practice and competition) and extra-curricular activities are suspended. Dryden Junior/Senior High School (grades 7-12) will continue with the remote learning schedule that started on November 17. Specific details (dates, times, and classes) can be found below in the high school section of this newsletter.
No changes will be made to the Dryden Elementary School schedule.
Winter Break is December 21-January 1. School resumes on January 4. If any other changes need to be made to our calendar or schedule due to health department guidelines, we will let you know as soon as we can.
We wish you the happiest holiday and the healthiest new year.
Yours in Education,
Mary Finnigan
Superintendent
Dryden Junior/Senior High School News
Dear Cardinal Families,
Remote learning for grades 7-12 will continue through December 18. The revised class schedule can be found below.
We've passed the halfway point of the second quarter, and the end of the first semester is on the horizon. Please remind your student(s) to continue their successful study habits as they work toward completing their courses. Assistance from teachers can be received during online class meetings, office hours, via email, or through Google Classroom sites.
Exam days (and half days for students) are January 13, 14, and 15. Teachers have moved from test-based to project-based assessments for these days.
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
Updated Remote Learning Schedule
Congratulations, Miya Wolff! 2021 National Merit Scholarship Program Semifinalist
Dryden Junior/Senior High School is proud to announce senior Miya Wolff as Lapeer County’s only 2021 National Merit Scholarship Program Semifinalist.
Wolff reflected on her semifinalist status while preparing for the next level of competition. “I am honored to have the opportunity to apply and be considered for such an award,” she said. “It really makes me feel proud of the hard work I've put in throughout high school to get to where I am today.”
“We are extremely proud of Miya’s success,” stated Dryden Junior/Senior High School Counselor Kimberly Fleming. “Being named as a Merit Scholar Semifinalist is a direct result of Miya’s dedication to her academic work. I look forward to working with her as we complete her application to advance to the next level.”
Mary Finnigan, Dryden Community School Superintendent and Principal of Dryden Junior/Senior High School, echoed Fleming’s thoughts. “Miya has attended Dryden Schools since Kindergarten and has been completing advanced coursework since Junior High. We’re so happy to see her reap the rewards of years of hard work, and we wish her good fortune in the next step of the competition.”
Semifinalists Announced
The names of approximately 16,000 Semifinalists in the 66th annual National Merit Scholarship Program were announced in September. These academically talented high school seniors have an opportunity to continue in the competition for some 7,600 National Merit Scholarships worth more than $30 million that will be offered next spring. To be considered for a Merit Scholarship® award, Semifinalists must fulfill several requirements to advance to the Finalist level of the competition. Over 90 percent of the Semifinalists are expected to attain Finalist standing, and more than half of the Finalists will win a National Merit Scholarship, earning the Merit Scholar® title.
Counselor's Corner
Class of 2021 Scholarship Information
Please join this Google Classroom for up-to-date information:
https://classroom.google.com/c/MTY5NTM3MTI3NTE1?cjc=tkqmgtd
Class code: tkqmgtd
Dryden Early College Academy Enrollment
OPPORTUNITIES WITH SIX HIGHER EDUCATION PARTNERS!
Dryden Elementary News
Dear Cardinal Families,
December is upon us already! I hope this letter finds you enjoying all the warmth and joy of the holiday season. I hope you are able to spend time with family and friends in a way that is safe.
We’ve had some cold weather already, and I want to remind you to make sure to send your child to school with appropriate winter clothing. Fresh air and outside play are a big part of our day and help to contribute to student success. Barring severe weather, our students will be going outside for recess. What do we consider appropriate clothing?
Grades K-4 - In order to play in the snow, students need boots and snow pants. A coat, hat, and gloves are a given.
Grades 5 and 6 - Boots and snow pants are recommended but not required to play in the snow. Once again, a coat, hat, and gloves are expected.
It is recommended that you write your child’s name in every piece of winter gear - from the boots on the bottom to the hat on the top and everything in between. It is incredible how many valuable articles of clothing end up in Lost and Found each week.
In the event of a major weather event or quarantine, we will be texting and emailing notifications to parents. Please make sure that you update the school with any changes in your contact information. If you get our texts, but not emails, we ask that you check other folders - spam, social, and promotion - for the emails. Also, some of you have our emails blocked. I doubt that people actively blocked us, so I wonder if this is some sort of automatic setting on your personal emails. Please check this. If those things all seem correct, please call our front office.
Lastly, I want to remind you that to prevent the spread of COVID-19, people should:
Stay home if you’re sick
Wash their hands frequently
Avoid close contact with sick people
Disinfect commonly touched surfaces
Avoid touching your face; avoid shaking hands
Follow suggested guidelines for social distancing
Thank you for your continued support of our school. I hope you have a wonderful holiday season!
Sincerely,
Karen Roys
Principal
Dryden Elementary
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
This Fall Sports Season, our student-athletes finished strong prior to the shutdown this November.
Our Cross Country team competed at the League Meet on Tuesday, October 20th. Both teams qualified for the Regional at the Pre-Regional in Mayville on Saturday, October 24th. Regionals were held on Saturday, October 31st at Wagener Park. Two runners qualified for States, finishing in the top 15, and followed up at States on Saturday, November 7th. Congratulations to Aiden Fitchett and Reed Hall!
NCTL All League:
Honorable Mention: Aiden Fitchett
Tri-City Times All Area:
Boys: First Team: Reed Hall, Aiden Fitchett
Girls: First Team: Ella Kage
Second Team: Ava DeVlaminck
Honorable Mention: Lily Finnigan, Audrey Napolitano
Our Volleyball team this year won the League Championship again and won the District Championship for the 3rd year in a row. Our Lady Cardinals moved onto Regionals at Mayville. They won in 4 sets against Midland Calvary Baptist to advance to the Regional finals against the Ubly Bearcats but lost a tough one.
NCTL All League:
First Team: Erin Boettcher, Abby Hurd, Erin Paton
Honorable Mention: Alyssa Daoud, Natalie Embree, Avery Grondin, Becca Weiss
Tri-City Times All Area:
First Team: Erin Boettcher, Abby Hurd, Erin Paton, Becca Weiss
Second Team: Alyssa Daoud, Avery Grondin
Honorable Mention: Ashley Hickmott
Coach of the Year: Chris Schenkel
Our Co-op Football team played great this season finishing 4-2 during the regular season. In the first round of playoffs, they lost a hard fought game to Cros-Lex and finished the season 4-3.
Our Winter Sports Season has been put on pause until at least Dec 9th. When it returns we will have the following activities:
High School:
- Girls Basketball
- Boys Basketball
- Sideline Cheer
- Bowling
- Competitive Cheer
- Wrestling
Junior High:
- Boys Basketball (Jan/Feb)
- Girls Basketball (Feb/Mar)
Please remember to check the Dryden Athletics page for the up to date schedule:
https://www.drydenschools.org/o/dryden/browse/122396
Just a reminder that all student-athletes must have a 2019 physical AND MHSAA Health Questionnaire or 2020 physical on file in the office in order to participate.
If you have any questions about athletics, please visit our page: https://www.drydenschools.org/o/dryden/page/athletics--1614
As always, Go Cardinals!
Ms. Loraine Brinker
Assistant Principal/Athletic Director
#PROUDCardinal
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
December 14, 2020
January 11, 2021
February 8, 2021
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
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