On January 16th, this group of high school seniors presented their Capstone Projects and are on their way to earning the New York State Seal of Civic Readiness! These students are the first students at Dryden to embark on this work. They took the Capstone course, a class devoted to teaching about civic engagement and civic participation.
If you are interested in taking the Capstone course next year and earning points towards the NYS Seal of Civic Readiness, please reach out to any member of the HS Social Studies Department or your counselor for more information.
If you are interested in taking the Capstone course next year and earning points towards the NYS Seal of Civic Readiness, please reach out to any member of the HS Social Studies Department or your counselor for more information.
We 💜our District Safety Personnel! A special thanks goes out to Justin and Rob for all that they do for our #LionPride!! 🦁
Good Afternoon,
This is Joshua Bacigalupi, Superintendent of Schools, for the Dryden Central School District. Due to forecasted weather advisories for our region, there will be no after school activities in the Dryden Central School District today, February 11, 2026. Again, all after school activities in the Dryden Central School District are cancelled today, February 11, 2026.
ALL PK-12 students regardless of school need to leave school at dismissal time. Again, all students need to leave school at dismissal time.
10 month staff members may leave after their students are dismissed.
As Grade Level and Department Meetings are now canceled, it is the responsibility of the Chair to disseminate any information to their Grade Level and Department colleagues, please find an effective and efficient manner to share out this information by close of business 28-FEB-2026.
Take care of each other. Take care of yourself. Always...#LionPride!
Dear Dryden Families;
In alignment with New York State public health laws, all medications held or taken by students must have a provider’s order. Each medication (including “over the counter” medications) requires a written order, signed and dated for the current academic year, to be allowed in school or at school sponsored events, regardless of the student's age. Orders do not carry over from year to year and should be renewed over the summer break. Medication orders are student specific and under no circumstances should medications be shared among students as this violates the public health laws.
When obtaining an order for your student, your child's medical provider can order the medication be given in one of two ways:
Option One
The medication is to be administered as the provider has prescribed it by the school nurse (trained faculty during field trips) in accordance with NYSED and public health law.
Option Two
The medication is able to be managed by the student themself, in conjunction with parent/guardian permission, for independent use and carry. This option is reserved only for students who demonstrate that they can safely carry and administer the prescribed med/dose.
Both health office medications and self-carry medications must remain in the original bottle from the manufacturer or pharmacy and in the form it was prescribed (tab vs chewable vs liquid). When dropping off medications or refilling for your student at the health office, they will be counted and signed in with your nurse. We also ask parents/ guardians to sign the provider's order to verify they are in agreement with the plan of care. We do our best to keep a close eye on when refills are needed to allow ample time to contact your pharmacy.
Last but not least, if your student is in need of medication at school, but does not have an active order, parents/guardians have the right to pass medications themselves directly to the student. This may be done by signing in at the main entrance and requesting your child be called down to you from the classroom.
Dryden’s nursing staff strives to ensure the health, safety, and comfort of each student to encourage maximum academic excellence. If you have any questions, please reach out to the building nurse to help navigate your child’s safe medication consumption.
In alignment with New York State public health laws, all medications held or taken by students must have a provider’s order. Each medication (including “over the counter” medications) requires a written order, signed and dated for the current academic year, to be allowed in school or at school sponsored events, regardless of the student's age. Orders do not carry over from year to year and should be renewed over the summer break. Medication orders are student specific and under no circumstances should medications be shared among students as this violates the public health laws.
When obtaining an order for your student, your child's medical provider can order the medication be given in one of two ways:
Option One
The medication is to be administered as the provider has prescribed it by the school nurse (trained faculty during field trips) in accordance with NYSED and public health law.
Option Two
The medication is able to be managed by the student themself, in conjunction with parent/guardian permission, for independent use and carry. This option is reserved only for students who demonstrate that they can safely carry and administer the prescribed med/dose.
Both health office medications and self-carry medications must remain in the original bottle from the manufacturer or pharmacy and in the form it was prescribed (tab vs chewable vs liquid). When dropping off medications or refilling for your student at the health office, they will be counted and signed in with your nurse. We also ask parents/ guardians to sign the provider's order to verify they are in agreement with the plan of care. We do our best to keep a close eye on when refills are needed to allow ample time to contact your pharmacy.
Last but not least, if your student is in need of medication at school, but does not have an active order, parents/guardians have the right to pass medications themselves directly to the student. This may be done by signing in at the main entrance and requesting your child be called down to you from the classroom.
Dryden’s nursing staff strives to ensure the health, safety, and comfort of each student to encourage maximum academic excellence. If you have any questions, please reach out to the building nurse to help navigate your child’s safe medication consumption.
Good Morning,
This is Joshua Bacigalupi, Superintendent of Schools for the Dryden Central School District. A Bus Advisory is in effect tomorrow morning due to dangerously low wind chill temperatures forecasted this morning. All students are encouraged to wait in a vehicle with an adult or in their home until they see the bus. Please take care of yourself. Take care of each other. Always...#LionPride!
Calling all CES, DES and FES families! Join us as we celebrate kindness and connection in our schools and community!
Calling all DHS Students - Kindness Week is coming up!!
Congratulations to our NYSSMA Zone 3 Area All-State student musicians! Due to a combination of their outstanding performances and scores in the Spring 2025 NYSSMA Solo Adjudications, these three Dryden student musicians were selected to perform in one of the select Instrumental or Choral ensembles at this year's NYSSMA Sr. High Area All-State Festival. They rehearsed and performed with other talented and dedicated musicians across New York State on Friday, January 30th and Saturday, January 31st at the Ithaca College School of Music. Congratulations Esther, Natalie, and Ava- way to represent Dryden!!! 💜🎶🦁
Student Musicians Include: Esther Songput (Flute 1, Concert Band), Ava Adams (Bass, Mixed Chorus), and Natalie Warwick (Soprano, Treble Chorus)
We're Hiring:
Come Join the #LionPride!!
Long-term Regular Substitute
Music Teacher 6-12 (Vocal/General)
For more information:
https://www.dryden.k12.ny.us
607-844-5361 x7
To apply, visit: https://olasjobs.org/job-details/DRYN0366596-0040
Come Join the #LionPride!!
Long-term Regular Substitute
Music Teacher 6-12 (Vocal/General)
For more information:
https://www.dryden.k12.ny.us
607-844-5361 x7
To apply, visit: https://olasjobs.org/job-details/DRYN0366596-0040
This week is National School Counseling Week!
Our school counselors make a difference every single day, and we applaud their caring dedication and commitment to our #LionPride! 💜
👏 Thank you to our counselors for all you do! 👏
Our school counselors make a difference every single day, and we applaud their caring dedication and commitment to our #LionPride! 💜
👏 Thank you to our counselors for all you do! 👏
Together let's show that Dryden Has Heart!
Good Afternoon,
This is Joshua Bacigalupi, Superintendent of Schools for the Dryden Central School District. This message is for Freeville parents and staff. Shortly, after 11:00 AM, the fire alarm went off at Freeville Elementary School. The alarm was triggered by steam escaping an oven during lunch preparation. Students and staff sheltered in the church next door. We are very grateful for such good neighbors. At approximately 11:30, students returned to the building and continued with their day. I am grateful for the staff at FES who did an amazing job ensuring our students were safe despite challenging circumstances, including the weather. I am also grateful for our Facilities Department and the Freeville Fire Department for their quick response to today’s incident. Please take care of yourself. Take care of each other. Always…#Lion Pride!
Students, Staff, and Families,
Due to the extreme cold weather advisory for tomorrow, our district will operate on a one-hour delay with a bus advisory. A one hour delay means the bus will come one hour later in the morning. and school starts one hour later than it normally does. If you bring your child to the before school program or drop your child off at school, you should do so one hour later than you normally do.
Why are we not closing or doing a two hour delay?
The temperatures are not going to moderate during the day. In the morning, afternoon, and evening the temps will be the same, so closing for the day or delaying for a longer period is not going to provide any additional relief.
In addition, if the District is closed tomorrow it would be the third weekend in a row that was a three day weekend in which some students are missing meals and without a relatively warm environment not to mention the additional disruptions to learning.
The delay is primarily to ensure that the Transportation Department has a little extra time to get buses started, running, and warm. Due to the multiple days of extreme cold temperatures in the morning this has been increasingly more difficult and we would prefer not to take any chances tomorrow.
A one hour delay will offset any transportation issues but have a minimal impact on the day.
What if I feel it is too dangerous to send my child to school?
We absolutely respect your right to keep your child home tomorrow. You are the parent and get to make that decision.
What is a bus advisory?
When a bus advisory is in effect a Dryden Central School District bus will pull over to pick up any students they see walking even if the distance between the child and school does not typically qualify for a transportation route. In addition, we encourage students to wait inside their home or in a car with a parent until the bus pulls up to the bus stop. Buses will wait a bit longer at stops tomorrow. Please let your child know about the bus advisory and make sure they understand that if a bus stops to offer them a ride, that they should not board the bus until they have checked the side of the school bus to make sure it says "Dryden Central School District".
Please be aware that, because of the bus advisory , bus routes may experience slight delays.
All schools will be open, and we look forward to welcoming students into a warm, safe environment for the day. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we navigate these challenging weather conditions.
Please take care of yourself. Take care of each other. Aways....
#LionPride,
Josh Bacigalupi
Due to the extreme cold weather advisory for tomorrow, our district will operate on a one-hour delay with a bus advisory. A one hour delay means the bus will come one hour later in the morning. and school starts one hour later than it normally does. If you bring your child to the before school program or drop your child off at school, you should do so one hour later than you normally do.
Why are we not closing or doing a two hour delay?
The temperatures are not going to moderate during the day. In the morning, afternoon, and evening the temps will be the same, so closing for the day or delaying for a longer period is not going to provide any additional relief.
In addition, if the District is closed tomorrow it would be the third weekend in a row that was a three day weekend in which some students are missing meals and without a relatively warm environment not to mention the additional disruptions to learning.
The delay is primarily to ensure that the Transportation Department has a little extra time to get buses started, running, and warm. Due to the multiple days of extreme cold temperatures in the morning this has been increasingly more difficult and we would prefer not to take any chances tomorrow.
A one hour delay will offset any transportation issues but have a minimal impact on the day.
What if I feel it is too dangerous to send my child to school?
We absolutely respect your right to keep your child home tomorrow. You are the parent and get to make that decision.
What is a bus advisory?
When a bus advisory is in effect a Dryden Central School District bus will pull over to pick up any students they see walking even if the distance between the child and school does not typically qualify for a transportation route. In addition, we encourage students to wait inside their home or in a car with a parent until the bus pulls up to the bus stop. Buses will wait a bit longer at stops tomorrow. Please let your child know about the bus advisory and make sure they understand that if a bus stops to offer them a ride, that they should not board the bus until they have checked the side of the school bus to make sure it says "Dryden Central School District".
Please be aware that, because of the bus advisory , bus routes may experience slight delays.
All schools will be open, and we look forward to welcoming students into a warm, safe environment for the day. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we navigate these challenging weather conditions.
Please take care of yourself. Take care of each other. Aways....
#LionPride,
Josh Bacigalupi
Congratulations to the wrestling team competing in the IAC Championships on Saturday in Watkins Glen. 🥳 Earning first place victories, both Destiny Ryant and Oscar Brotherton are now IAC Champions! Will Woodard and Lucas VanSlyke both took 4th. Gaven Valenti getting on the podium at 5th. Great job to every wrestler!! 🦁🐾 #LionPride
Good Afternoon, This is Joshua Bacigalupi, Superintendent of Schools for the Dryden Central School District. Tomorrow, Monday, January 26, 2026 all schools in the Dryden Central School District will be closed. Take care of yourself. Take care of each other. Always... #LionPride!
🌍✨ Today our Intermediate students at DES went international!
Hawke Gelder, an 11th-grade German exchange student, shared his journey to the USA — from meeting his host family and playing sports, to loving school spirit and discovering new favorite foods.
Students asked some GREAT questions and learned that:
🧀 Yes, they do have mac and cheese in Germany
🏓 Table tennis is Hawke’s favorite sport back home
❤️ And while he’s thankful for every experience here, his hometown in Germany is still his favorite place in the world
A wonderful reminder of how learning from one another helps us see the world a little bigger. Danke (that's "thanks" in German) Hawke, for inspiring us today! 🌟
Hawke Gelder, an 11th-grade German exchange student, shared his journey to the USA — from meeting his host family and playing sports, to loving school spirit and discovering new favorite foods.
Students asked some GREAT questions and learned that:
🧀 Yes, they do have mac and cheese in Germany
🏓 Table tennis is Hawke’s favorite sport back home
❤️ And while he’s thankful for every experience here, his hometown in Germany is still his favorite place in the world
A wonderful reminder of how learning from one another helps us see the world a little bigger. Danke (that's "thanks" in German) Hawke, for inspiring us today! 🌟
We're Hiring!
DCSD is looking for Teacher Aides
Interested? Apply on Tompkins County Civil Service website at:
https://www.tompkinscivilservice.org/civilservice/apply/9393
Join the #LionPride!
DCSD is looking for Teacher Aides
Interested? Apply on Tompkins County Civil Service website at:
https://www.tompkinscivilservice.org/civilservice/apply/9393
Join the #LionPride!
Congrats to our amazing Lions that have earned spots in this year's Seneca-Tompkins Music Educator Association's Winter All-County Choral Festival! Please join us in wishing them luck at their performance this weekend in Groton! #LionPride
Good Afternoon,
This is just a reminder that all schools and offices will be closed Monday, January 19, 2026 for the Martin Luther King, Jr. Federal Holiday.
#LionPride!
Freeville Elementary School PTA Fundraiser Night coming up next week! #LionPride
