Good Afternoon,
This message for all students, staff, and families.
As you may be aware the District has transitioned to Apptegy for many communication and website needs. Apptegy helps manage our messaging to the community-voicemail, texts, email, the live feed on our website, social media platforms, and it is the platform for our updated website.
While we have shared information in previous communications regarding the website and messaging system, we wanted to take the time today to share a new tool from Apptegy that all parents, staff, and students will have access to . This specific tool is the Dryden Central School District App that can be downloaded through Thrillshare by Apptegy.
In order to install the District's App, please go to the Apple or Android Store on your respective devices and search "Dryden Central School District, NY." In the results you should see the tile for the District's App which is a white field with the official DCSD purple lion logo. Please click on the tile to install.
Once inside the App, you will see three menu option at the bottom of the screen that include : "Feed, Events, and More". When you click on "More", you will see a gear denoting "settings". From here, you can set preferences as well as access as other information that is also available on the website.
The App is not a "deep dive" of District information, but is designed to give you the most relevant and up to date information for families, staff and students.
We hope this is one more tool families can use in order to support home and school communication. Please take care of yourself. Please take care of each other. Always....
#LionPride,
Josh
This message for all students, staff, and families.
As you may be aware the District has transitioned to Apptegy for many communication and website needs. Apptegy helps manage our messaging to the community-voicemail, texts, email, the live feed on our website, social media platforms, and it is the platform for our updated website.
While we have shared information in previous communications regarding the website and messaging system, we wanted to take the time today to share a new tool from Apptegy that all parents, staff, and students will have access to . This specific tool is the Dryden Central School District App that can be downloaded through Thrillshare by Apptegy.
In order to install the District's App, please go to the Apple or Android Store on your respective devices and search "Dryden Central School District, NY." In the results you should see the tile for the District's App which is a white field with the official DCSD purple lion logo. Please click on the tile to install.
Once inside the App, you will see three menu option at the bottom of the screen that include : "Feed, Events, and More". When you click on "More", you will see a gear denoting "settings". From here, you can set preferences as well as access as other information that is also available on the website.
The App is not a "deep dive" of District information, but is designed to give you the most relevant and up to date information for families, staff and students.
We hope this is one more tool families can use in order to support home and school communication. Please take care of yourself. Please take care of each other. Always....
#LionPride,
Josh
Good Morning,
As many of you know, a devastating fire last Friday, claimed the lives of several of our own community members.
While we cannot share personal details about the family I can share that the surviving members of this family are in need of many items on top of dealing with the tragedy of losing family members to the fire.
The District has outlined these specific needs below and will be accepting donations of these items to pass onto the family early next week. The District cannot accept cash or checks. The District cannot answer any specific questions based on the list such as shampoo preferences, etc. If you have questions about any fund sourcing pages set up to benefit this family, cash/check donations, or additional questions about the list provided below, you will need to reach out to the family directly. The District cannot provide contact information for the family.
Each school's main office will serve as a collection point for the donations. Please drop off donated items at one of our five main offices located at CES, FES, DES, as well as the MS and HS main offices during normal school hours on or before Friday, April 10, 2026.
The family needs the following items:
Child Male-4T/5T clothes all types of clothing
Adult Female-Medium to Large Shorts , 6 to 8 Women's pants and jeans , Medium to Large Tops , 7.5 Women's shoes
Adult Male: Large Shirts , 34x32 pants
Toiletries: Soap, Shampoo, Toothbrushes, Hair Ties, Toothpaste, Deodorant
Gas Cards: A surviving family member is in the hospital, so gas cards will help offset those traveling costs for other family members who are caretakers as they move back and forth to the hospital.
Please take care of yourself. Take care of each other. These are the moments we show our community what #LionPride means to us.
Respectfully,
Josh Bacigalupi
As many of you know, a devastating fire last Friday, claimed the lives of several of our own community members.
While we cannot share personal details about the family I can share that the surviving members of this family are in need of many items on top of dealing with the tragedy of losing family members to the fire.
The District has outlined these specific needs below and will be accepting donations of these items to pass onto the family early next week. The District cannot accept cash or checks. The District cannot answer any specific questions based on the list such as shampoo preferences, etc. If you have questions about any fund sourcing pages set up to benefit this family, cash/check donations, or additional questions about the list provided below, you will need to reach out to the family directly. The District cannot provide contact information for the family.
Each school's main office will serve as a collection point for the donations. Please drop off donated items at one of our five main offices located at CES, FES, DES, as well as the MS and HS main offices during normal school hours on or before Friday, April 10, 2026.
The family needs the following items:
Child Male-4T/5T clothes all types of clothing
Adult Female-Medium to Large Shorts , 6 to 8 Women's pants and jeans , Medium to Large Tops , 7.5 Women's shoes
Adult Male: Large Shirts , 34x32 pants
Toiletries: Soap, Shampoo, Toothbrushes, Hair Ties, Toothpaste, Deodorant
Gas Cards: A surviving family member is in the hospital, so gas cards will help offset those traveling costs for other family members who are caretakers as they move back and forth to the hospital.
Please take care of yourself. Take care of each other. These are the moments we show our community what #LionPride means to us.
Respectfully,
Josh Bacigalupi
#LionPride 🦁💜
It's #FoodServiceFriday! 🍽️
This week we're highlighting the local sourcing of our ingredients.
Did you know 100% of our beef is locally sourced?
Choosing local beef supports nearby farmers while providing students with high-quality ingredients we can feel good about serving.
Local food matters—to our students and our community.
#LionPride
This week we're highlighting the local sourcing of our ingredients.
Did you know 100% of our beef is locally sourced?
Choosing local beef supports nearby farmers while providing students with high-quality ingredients we can feel good about serving.
Local food matters—to our students and our community.
#LionPride
April 2, 2026
To our Dryden Central School District community,
Like many others in the community, we are saddened by the loss of three community members to a house fire yesterday, Wednesday, April 1, 2026.
While no Dryden Central School District student’s life was taken during the fire, this loss deeply affects our District, and we want to make sure we are proactively offering support for everyone in our community. Our hearts go out to the family and everyone affected by this loss.
We understand the many questions which may arise when tragedies like this take place, and we encourage everyone to respect the privacy of the family during this time. The purpose of this letter is to offer support and not communicate additional information regarding the fire.
The safety and health of our students and staff remains our highest priority, and we urge families to have open and honest conversations with their children, encouraging them to express their feelings and concerns, and answering questions in a compassionate, age-appropriate way.
Our District is here to support your children, and social workers and support staff will be readily available to help students in processing this tragedy together when we return from the break next week.
We encourage you to visit the mental health resources available on our website (https://www.dryden.k12.ny.us/page/mental-health-resources) and to take care of one another during this difficult time.
Please take care of yourself. Take care of each other. Always…
#LionPride,
Joshua I. Bacigalupi
To our Dryden Central School District community,
Like many others in the community, we are saddened by the loss of three community members to a house fire yesterday, Wednesday, April 1, 2026.
While no Dryden Central School District student’s life was taken during the fire, this loss deeply affects our District, and we want to make sure we are proactively offering support for everyone in our community. Our hearts go out to the family and everyone affected by this loss.
We understand the many questions which may arise when tragedies like this take place, and we encourage everyone to respect the privacy of the family during this time. The purpose of this letter is to offer support and not communicate additional information regarding the fire.
The safety and health of our students and staff remains our highest priority, and we urge families to have open and honest conversations with their children, encouraging them to express their feelings and concerns, and answering questions in a compassionate, age-appropriate way.
Our District is here to support your children, and social workers and support staff will be readily available to help students in processing this tragedy together when we return from the break next week.
We encourage you to visit the mental health resources available on our website (https://www.dryden.k12.ny.us/page/mental-health-resources) and to take care of one another during this difficult time.
Please take care of yourself. Take care of each other. Always…
#LionPride,
Joshua I. Bacigalupi
FREE Parent-Child Communication Skills Workshop offered April 14 - June 2 at DHS.
Visit https://www.dryden.k12.ny.us/article/2789862 to learn more.
Visit https://www.dryden.k12.ny.us/article/2789862 to learn more.
Introducing Food Service Fridays! 🍽️
Join us each week as we celebrate the incredible work of our Food Service Department.
Did you know that DCSD school lunch pizza dough comes from our local downtown spot, June's Pizzeria? We then top it with house-made sauce and fresh mozzarella before baking it for our students to enjoy. 🍕😋
Just another example of #LionPride!
Join us each week as we celebrate the incredible work of our Food Service Department.
Did you know that DCSD school lunch pizza dough comes from our local downtown spot, June's Pizzeria? We then top it with house-made sauce and fresh mozzarella before baking it for our students to enjoy. 🍕😋
Just another example of #LionPride!
Spring Break is Monday, March 30-Friday, April 3. All offices will be closed on Friday, April 3, 2026. All schools and offices will reopen Monday, April 6, 2026. We wish you a wonderful break!🌷🪻🌼
#LionPride
#LionPride
The Willard Daetsch Outreach Program of the Cayuga Chamber Orchestra visited DES 2nd graders today to introduce them to specific instruments, and discuss the importance of melody, rhythm, and teamwork in making music.
The 2nd graders are excited for their field trip to IHS next month, where they will see a concert and explore even more instruments they might want to learn!
Just another way to celebrate Music In Our Schools Month with #LionPride!
The 2nd graders are excited for their field trip to IHS next month, where they will see a concert and explore even more instruments they might want to learn!
Just another way to celebrate Music In Our Schools Month with #LionPride!
Now Hiring for the 2026-2027 School Year
Come Join the #LionPride!
- Mathematics Teacher
- Physical Education Teacher
- Special Education Teacher
For more info visit:
https://www.dryden.k12.ny.us
607-844-5361 x7
To apply, visit: https://www.olasjobs.org/dryden-csd
Come Join the #LionPride!
- Mathematics Teacher
- Physical Education Teacher
- Special Education Teacher
For more info visit:
https://www.dryden.k12.ny.us
607-844-5361 x7
To apply, visit: https://www.olasjobs.org/dryden-csd
Now Hiring for the 2026-2027 School Year
Come Join the #LionPride!
- Elementary Education Teacher (2nd grade)
- 6th Grade Social Studies Teacher
- Music Teacher 6-12 (Vocal/General)
- Speech Language Pathologist
https://www.dryden.k12.ny.us
607-844-5361 x7
To apply, visit: olasjobs.org/dryden-csd
Come Join the #LionPride!
- Elementary Education Teacher (2nd grade)
- 6th Grade Social Studies Teacher
- Music Teacher 6-12 (Vocal/General)
- Speech Language Pathologist
https://www.dryden.k12.ny.us
607-844-5361 x7
To apply, visit: olasjobs.org/dryden-csd
The Dryden Swim Teams are excited to offer swim lessons for students PK-5!
Lessons are held on Thursdays in April, May, and June, with after school bus transportation provided to the MS/HS.
Complete this form to register: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe6jMrw-UoOwrmYkKaBujFNfbZ1bMlP0ihEimYRQExdfFSKWQ/viewform
Questions? Contact Coach Tice at rtice1@dryden.k12.ny.us
Lessons are held on Thursdays in April, May, and June, with after school bus transportation provided to the MS/HS.
Complete this form to register: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe6jMrw-UoOwrmYkKaBujFNfbZ1bMlP0ihEimYRQExdfFSKWQ/viewform
Questions? Contact Coach Tice at rtice1@dryden.k12.ny.us
We have a dream, a song to sing. 🎶
You won’t want to miss this! TWO chances to see Mamma Mia today (March 21) at 2pm and 7pm!
See https://www.dryden.k12.ny.us/article/2727789 for full details.
You won’t want to miss this! TWO chances to see Mamma Mia today (March 21) at 2pm and 7pm!
See https://www.dryden.k12.ny.us/article/2727789 for full details.
Tonight is the night! Get ready to have the time of your life with Dryden Drama Club’s opening night production of Mamma Mia! 🎭
Show opens tonight (Friday, March 20) at 7pm. See https://www.dryden.k12.ny.us/article/2727789 for full details.
Show opens tonight (Friday, March 20) at 7pm. See https://www.dryden.k12.ny.us/article/2727789 for full details.
Lay all your love on the Dryden Drama Club! These amazing seniors show off their skills one more time onstage at Dryden. Come see their fun moves, beautiful voices, and crew skills this week! See poster or our website at https://www.dryden.k12.ny.us/article/2727789 for details. 🎭
This is just a reminder per the 2025-2026 School Calendar. There is no school for students on March 19 and March 20, 2026. #LionPride!
Our show is so sweet- bring your honey, honey and have the time of your life! A trio of old friends join together with a trio of new acquaintances to lead the way to a fun night! The stage manager and assistant stage managers keep their crews on track! You can dance, you can jive! 🕺💃 Check out the show this week!
See poster or our website at https://www.dryden.k12.ny.us/article/2727789 for details. 🎭
See poster or our website at https://www.dryden.k12.ny.us/article/2727789 for details. 🎭
Life is best when you can share it with your friends & siblings. Dryden Drama invites you to grab a friend and come see Mamma Mia! These talented high schoolers worked onstage and offstage in the loft to bring a fun story of friendship! Come see it this week.
See poster or our website at https://www.dryden.k12.ny.us/article/2727789 for details. 🎭
See poster or our website at https://www.dryden.k12.ny.us/article/2727789 for details. 🎭
DCSD had the honor of hosting Senator Ciresi and his team this week, who visited Dryden specifically to observe our scratch cooking program in action. The Senator is currently exploring legislation in Pennsylvania aimed at expanding and supporting scratch cooking in schools, and his office sought out Dryden CSD after hearing about the innovative and high-quality work happening within our food service program. They were eager to see a successful operation firsthand as they begin shaping policy designed to improve the quality of school meals statewide.
During their visit, the team spent time learning about our processes, operations, and the intentional work our staff does every day to provide fresh, nutritious meals for students. Their goal was to gain real-world insight that will directly inform proposed legislation — which is a tremendous testament to the leadership and dedication of our department.
Moments like this reinforce that the work happening in Dryden is not only meaningful locally but is also being recognized as a model at a broader level. Our team’s commitment to scratch cooking, student nutrition, and continuous improvement has positioned Dryden as a leader in child nutrition programs, and it was incredibly rewarding to see that acknowledged by state policymakers.
#LionPride!
During their visit, the team spent time learning about our processes, operations, and the intentional work our staff does every day to provide fresh, nutritious meals for students. Their goal was to gain real-world insight that will directly inform proposed legislation — which is a tremendous testament to the leadership and dedication of our department.
Moments like this reinforce that the work happening in Dryden is not only meaningful locally but is also being recognized as a model at a broader level. Our team’s commitment to scratch cooking, student nutrition, and continuous improvement has positioned Dryden as a leader in child nutrition programs, and it was incredibly rewarding to see that acknowledged by state policymakers.
#LionPride!
Good Morning,
This is Joshua Bacigalupi, Supeintendent of Schools for the Dryden Central School District. This morning the District full anticipated opening after a two hour delay. We have continued to assess conditions in the District. Slow rising temperatures and blowing snow are making treating the ice underneath the snow difficult. Unfortunately, ice as we know is much less forgoving than snow. At the Dryden Central School District is closed, Tuesday, March 17, 2026. Take care of yourself. Take care of each other. Always...#LionPride!