Dryden Central School District
Our mission: Educate and empower each learner to achieve excellence and build a better world
It's National School Lunch Week! 🍽
This year's theme is Cafeteria Circus, and our Food Service Team is gearing up to serve some creative meals this week, from Ringmaster's Pulled Pork Tot-chos to Big Top Chili Dogs, and everything in between! 🎪🎡🍿
We are excited to celebrate this week as school lunch takes center stage. #LionPride!
This year's theme is Cafeteria Circus, and our Food Service Team is gearing up to serve some creative meals this week, from Ringmaster's Pulled Pork Tot-chos to Big Top Chili Dogs, and everything in between! 🎪🎡🍿
We are excited to celebrate this week as school lunch takes center stage. #LionPride!
It's NYSSBA's School Board Recognition Week, so we are highlighting our wonderful Board of Education members throughout this week!
First up is Christina Cushman: "To me, being a Board Member means making Dryden a safer district for all students."
Thank you for your unwavering commitment and service to our district, staff, students, and community! #LionPride 💜
Today we recognize Indigenous Peoples' Day. All buildings are closed and students and staff have off as we take time to honor the cultures, contributions, and histories of Native peoples throughout the United States. #LionPride
Please be advised of the updated Board of Education Meeting schedule:
Beginning October 13, 2026, Regular Business meetings will commence at 6pm.
Visit https://www.dryden.k12.ny.us/page/board-of-ed for more information and meeting Zoom links!
Beginning October 13, 2026, Regular Business meetings will commence at 6pm.
Visit https://www.dryden.k12.ny.us/page/board-of-ed for more information and meeting Zoom links!
Good Morning,
This is just a reminder that there is no school on Monday, October 12, 2026 due to the Federal Holiday. All schools and offices will reopen on Tuesday, October 13, 2026.
#LionPride!
This is just a reminder that there is no school on Monday, October 12, 2026 due to the Federal Holiday. All schools and offices will reopen on Tuesday, October 13, 2026.
#LionPride!
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!
Reminder that tomorrow (Tuesday, September 22) is picture day at Dryden High School! Bring your smiles! #LionPride
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
Join us!
Next week the Dryden Middle School and High School will host Open Houses.
DMS: Tuesday, September 22, from 6-7pm
DHS: Thursday, September 24, from 6:30-7:30pm
We hope to see you there! #LionPride
Next week the Dryden Middle School and High School will host Open Houses.
DMS: Tuesday, September 22, from 6-7pm
DHS: Thursday, September 24, from 6:30-7:30pm
We hope to see you there! #LionPride
We hope you're ready to show some #LionPride!
Next week is Homecoming and Spirit Week, and the theme days at the Middle School and High School are as follows:
Tuesday, September 22: Anything but a backpack ❌🎒
Wednesday, September 23: Dress as your favorite teacher 👨🏾🏫👩🏻🏫
Thursday, September 24: Dynamic duos 🥓🍳
Friday, September 25: Purple and white 💜🤍
We can't wait to see your school spirit next week!
Next week is Homecoming and Spirit Week, and the theme days at the Middle School and High School are as follows:
Tuesday, September 22: Anything but a backpack ❌🎒
Wednesday, September 23: Dress as your favorite teacher 👨🏾🏫👩🏻🏫
Thursday, September 24: Dynamic duos 🥓🍳
Friday, September 25: Purple and white 💜🤍
We can't wait to see your school spirit next week!
Good Morning,
We are aware that road paving on Route 13 is temporarily changing traffic patterns. We are aware there is increased traffic congestion in and around the District.
We know more people are more impacted in the PM than the AM. We are working to maintain the continuity of operations as best as possible particularly with parent pick up and drop off routines as well as on time bus routes.
However, the parent pick up and drop off lines may experience higher volumes of traffic at peak times due to the roadwork and road closures. These conditions can cause bus routes to be delayed as well.
Please take care of yourself. Take care of each other. Alway....#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
Good Afternoon,
Just a reminder regarding tomorrow's 25th Anniversary of the September 11 Attacks and the 1993
WTC Bombing ...
In recognition of Patriot Day and the 2,997 individuals who perished in the Terrorist Attacks on 9/11 as well as those who lost their life in the World Trade Center bombing in 1993, all schools in the Dryden Central School District will observe a moment of silence on September 11, 2026.
This practice is consistent with the practice in public schools across NYS as well as consistent with state law since 2019. The District recognizes the many ways that the September 11 Attacks have impacted individuals, families, our state and our country. In recognition of this, the District would like to share with you the words that will be read to students and staff immediately before the moment of silence.
The following will be announced in all schools prior to the moment of silence:
In recognition of Patriot Day, the Dryden Central School District will take a moment to think quietly about the people and their families who were directly impacted by the events of September 11, 2001 as well as the first responders and military service members who sacrificed so much in the minutes, days, and years following the events 25 years ago today in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, New York, New York and Arlington, Virginia.
We fully recognize that our youngest students are not developmentally able to understand the context of the moment of silence, nor is it appropriate to discuss the details of the day's events with our youngest students; however, the District feels strongly that it is important to observe a day that changed our nation while also demonstrating our resiliency, our compassion, and our strength as a people and a country.
Please take care of yourself. Please take care of each other. Always...#LionPride!
Just a reminder regarding tomorrow's 25th Anniversary of the September 11 Attacks and the 1993
WTC Bombing ...
In recognition of Patriot Day and the 2,997 individuals who perished in the Terrorist Attacks on 9/11 as well as those who lost their life in the World Trade Center bombing in 1993, all schools in the Dryden Central School District will observe a moment of silence on September 11, 2026.
This practice is consistent with the practice in public schools across NYS as well as consistent with state law since 2019. The District recognizes the many ways that the September 11 Attacks have impacted individuals, families, our state and our country. In recognition of this, the District would like to share with you the words that will be read to students and staff immediately before the moment of silence.
The following will be announced in all schools prior to the moment of silence:
In recognition of Patriot Day, the Dryden Central School District will take a moment to think quietly about the people and their families who were directly impacted by the events of September 11, 2001 as well as the first responders and military service members who sacrificed so much in the minutes, days, and years following the events 25 years ago today in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, New York, New York and Arlington, Virginia.
We fully recognize that our youngest students are not developmentally able to understand the context of the moment of silence, nor is it appropriate to discuss the details of the day's events with our youngest students; however, the District feels strongly that it is important to observe a day that changed our nation while also demonstrating our resiliency, our compassion, and our strength as a people and a country.
Please take care of yourself. Please take care of each other. Always...#LionPride!
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! 💜
