Tuesday, January 29, 2019

State of the District, Saying Goodbye, and Honoring our Past while celebrating the Present

Saying Goodbye and Honoring our Friend and Colleague

Staff wore Crazy Hats in honor of Mrs. Sue Shaffer
Last week, we said goodbye to a long time staff member, Mrs. Sue Shaffer. Mrs. Shaffer died unexpectedly last week. Mrs. Shaffer was employed by the Dryden Central School District for almost 31 years. 

Through the years, Mrs. Shaffer served the District as an aide, playground monitor, bus monitor, and provided clerical support for Cassavant Elementary School and Freeville Elementary School. 

Mrs. Shaffer will be greatly missed by our entire school community. Mrs. Shaffer was a lover of crazy hats and in honor of Mrs. Shaffer and the legacy she leaves behind staff wore their best crazy hats last Friday. 

"State of the District" Address 

At the January 28, 2019 Board of Education Meeting, Mr. Bacigalupi, presented the "State of the District" Address. You can access the State of the District on the website and by using the following link: State of the District Address
State of the District Address
The address focused on the the District's goals to improve communication, consistency, accountability, trust and morale. Mr. Bacigalupi discussed steps the District has taken since July 1 to improve in these areas. 

Mr. Bacigalupi also discussed the tremendous pride the District has for the work that it does and the steps the District is taking to celebrate successes, honor its staff and students, and support its families. 

White Out Game and Athletic Hall of Fame Inductees

Athletic Hall of Fame Inductees
The annual Varsity Girls and Boys Basketball "White Out" Games were held last Friday, January 25, 2019 against the Trumansburg Central School District. This is an exciting night and one full of tradition. The Girls Varsity Basketball Team celebrated their seniors at this game. The Boys Varsity Basketball Team will honor their seniors at their upcoming game on Friday, February 1, 2019. 

Dryden Lion Cheerleaders
As has become the tradition at this event, the Dryden Central School District honored its past and inducted five former athletes into the Athletic Hall of Fame. We are proud to announce that Daniel Holland from the Class of 2010, Jeff Humphrey from the Class of 1993, Michael Motsay from the Class of 1980, Jackie Sutton Court from the Class of 2004, and Joey Motsay from the Class of 1981 are our most recent inductees. Please join us in celebrating their
Senior Varsity Girls Basketball Players
accomplishment! #LionPride

Superintendent Coffee Break

Superintendent Coffee Break


Please join the he Superintendent of Schools for the Dryden Central School District for a Superintendent Coffee Break at the Southworth Library from 5-7 PM on Monday, February 4, 2019.  This is an opportunity for the public to share their concerns, give feedback, and discuss issues with the Superintendent. This is the second scheduled Coffee Break of the 2018-2019 school year. These events will be scheduled throughout the year at different times and in different venues to reach as much as the school community as possible. 

New UPK Dryden Lions

As many of you know, the District was awarded a grant from the state to open a new UPK section which is housed at Dryden Elementary School. The section has 18 students who are four years old. This is a full day program, and we are proud to give more children in our community the opportunity to attend UPK in their District. 

These students started school this past Monday, January 28, 2019. Our long time staff member, Ms. Sue Davis joins her colleague Ms. Erin Preston as the newest UPK teacher. Ms. Davis and Ms. Preston were awarded the #Lion Pride Award this past week for all the work they have done to prepare this new classroom. 

Scholastic Art Awards

Dryden Scholastic Art Award Recipients
The District is pleased to announce that many of our Dryden High School students were honored through the Scholastic Art Awards this past week. 

Many Dryden students were Gold and Silver Key recipients for their work in Drawing, Photography, Animation, Film, and Painting.

 Dryden students walked away with approximately 34% of all of the awards given. We are proud of our students and teachers for their work. 



Sunday, January 20, 2019

Welcome to Points of #Lion of Pride

Welcome to our new blog-Points of #LionPride

Points of #LionPride is a blog for the Dryden Central School District community authored by the Superintendent of Schools, Joshua I. Bacigalupi. This blog is another communication tool to let our community members know about what is going on in the Dryden Central School District. This is a space to celebrate our successes, discuss our journey as a District on a path towards continuous improvement, and as evidence that we try to connect with our community using as many platforms as possible. 

Connect with us on your favorite Social Media Platforms

"Pete the Cat" Fans at Cassavant
The Dryden Central School District is working hard to tell its story on three social media platforms. The Dryden Central School District has a social media presence on Facebook, Twitter, and most recently on Intsagram. Almost 1,300 individuals follow us on Facebook @DrydenLionPride. We have 242 followers on Twitter @DrydenLionPride. You can search for the District by using #LionPride. The District created an Instagram account in late August of 2018.  We are proud to be one of the first school Districts in Central New York to create a presence on Instagram. We have over 400 followers on Instagram. You can find us on Instagram at @DrydenLionPride. We might not tweet as often as the President or have the followers on Instagram that the Kardashians do, but we are anxious to share our story with the people connected to our community. Please encourage your neighbors, friends, and family members to check in with on social media.  

#LionPride Award

Ms. VanSlyke and Mrs. Burns
The District is pleased to announce a new weekly award called the #LionPride Award. Students, staff, community members, and volunteers are eligible for our #Lion Pride Award Winner. Recipients are nominated by individuals in our community. Each week, the District awards a new winner. Winners are announced to the community through our social media platforms and in email. The District defines #LionPride as actions and/or attitudes that set the Dryden Central School District apart from other districts. Some recent recipients of the #LionPride are pictured here. 

Mrs. Burns and Ms. VanSlyke are co-teachers at DES in Second Grade. They were nominated for the work that they do to support their students both in and out of the classroom. Mrs. Burn and Ms. VanSlyke have been co-teaching for many years, and work to ensure that all students in their classroom experience success!

Ms. McCarty
Ms. McCarty is a cleaner at DES. She was nominated by two staff members. She was nominated for her infectious positive attitude and outstanding work ethic.  Ms. McCarty is rarely idle. She is constantly in emotion wiping down surfaces, cleaning door handles, and sharing her joy for life with students and staff.  

Mrs. Alberm

Mrs. Albern is a crossing guard for the Town of Groton, a substitute teacher, and runs the "Calling All Teen" Program in McClean. Mrs. Albern was nominated by Mrs. Ryan for her commitment and years of service to the Dryden Central School District. 

There is no shortage of recipients for this award. The District is supported by extraordinary individuals. We are full of #LionPride!


Board of Education Guided Tour of District

Dryden Central School District Board of Education
On Wednesday, January 16, 2019, members of the Board of Education accompanied the Superintendent of Schools on a guided tour of the five schools and four school buildings in the District. The Board of Education had the opportunity to see programs and staff in action at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. The Board of Education traveled around in the District's school bus Suburban driven by the Superintendent. This was quite a sight! The Board of Education was incredibly impressed by what they saw students doing and the professionalism and care of our staff. The Board of Education will take another tour in the Spring  that will focus on non-school facilities such as Transportation and Buildings and Grounds as well as Food Services. The District is fortunate to have an engaged BOE which is focused on the success of all students. #LionPride

Flexible Seating 

Students use Flexible Seating to get the job done!
As you visit classrooms from PK-12, you may notice students using a different kind of chair than what you would expect to find in a traditional classroom.

Everyday we are learning more about how students learn best. We are finding that some students learn better by being able to sit in a chair that allows them to move their body in a variety of ways. 

For some students this movement allows them to better focus on the task at hand. Other students benefit by being able to stand and do their work using a standing desk, and other students may prefer a regular chair. 

 Next time, you are in classroom check out the many different ways to get the job done!