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Anna C. Scott School

Scholarship. Citizenship. Excellence.

ACS Weekly Update - January 16th

Posted Date: 01/16/26 (03:02 PM)


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Anna C. Scott Elementary

Scholarship. Citizenship. Excellence.

ACS Weekly Update

Dear ACS Families,

As we settle into the heart of January, we want to take a moment to share how proud we are of the incredible progress our students have already made this year. Their growth, effort, and perseverance continue to shine each day, and we are so grateful for your partnership in supporting their success.

Please remember that schools are closed on Monday, 1/19, in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. We will also have a delayed opening on Tuesday, 1/20, with arrival beginning at 10:30 a.m. and school starting at 10:45 a.m. Students will be served lunch on this day.

We wish you and your family a wonderful, restful long weekend.
 

🧪✨ Let’s Go Science! 🎭

Our 4th graders enjoyed an exciting trip to the MAYO Performing Arts Center to see Let’s Go Science! Students were amazed by hands-on demonstrations and engaging experiments that brought science to life beyond the classroom.
A group of young boys sit in purple theater seats, smiling and making peace signs.
Two presenters in lab coats perform a science demonstration on a stage with a large hanging Earth model.
A group of children and adults are seated in a theater or auditorium with plush seating.
Children watch a science show on a stage in a theater.

🌟 Above Benchmark = Extra Recess! ⏰🎈

Way to go, ACS! On Monday, students learned they earned an extra recess for being above benchmark in TRACK Acts, and our 4th graders were the first to celebrate with extra fresh air and fun on Wednesday afternoon. Great choices lead to great rewards!
Children play on a school playground with colorful hopscotch and chalk drawings.
Children play on a school playground with colorful hopscotch and drawings on the asphalt.

📐🤝 Teamwork Tackles Tricky Areas!

Students worked together to find the area of irregular shapes, using collaboration, discussion, and problem-solving strategies to break down complex figures and deepen their mathematical understanding.
Three children work on math worksheets at a round table in a classroom.
Students work on math worksheets at wooden desks in a classroom.

💛👣 Leading the Way with TRACK at Lunch! 🌟

Fourth grade mentors visited Kindergarten lunch to model TRACK expectations and help build a culture of kindness and responsibility. Their support and encouragement helped make lunchtime a positive and welcoming experience for all!

Children sit at blue tables in a school cafeteria, eating lunch.
Children and adults are seated at tables in a school cafeteria, eating meals.

➗🧠 Division in Action at Math Centers! 🎲✨

Students in Mrs. McQuade’s class explored multiple strategies for solving division problems during math centers. They also had a blast playing Upzzle, a strategy game that challenged their thinking and strengthened problem-solving skills—all while having fun!

Students work on laptops in a classroom, with math problems displayed on screens.
Children are engaged in a learning activity, sorting task cards on a table.
Children in a classroom play a card game involving math problems, with cards spread on the table.
Children are engaged in a puzzle game at a table, with colorful puzzle pieces scattered around.

🌟💬 Building Stronger Friendships

Ms. Lindbloom spent time in Mrs. Fisher’s class discussing conflicts with friends and positive strategies for resolving them. The lesson supported students in strengthening relationships and making thoughtful choices.
A teacher stands in front of a smartboard, gesturing to a group of students sitting on a rug with their hands raised.
A teacher guides a group of students sitting on the floor around a large interactive screen in a classroom.

🌟🔥 Standing Up with Kindness at Campfire Time!

PreK and Kindergarten students gathered for today’s campfire to talk about being an upstander and using kindness to help others. The lesson encouraged our youngest learners to make positive, caring choices every day.
A group of children and adults are gathered in a gymnasium, with many children raising their hands in the air.
A group of children and adults are gathered in a gymnasium, with many children holding hands in a circle.

🐝✨ Buzzing with Brilliance: Fourth Grade Spelling Bees! 📚🏆

ACS fourth graders showcased their spelling skills and courage during today’s classroom spelling bees. Congratulations to our classroom winners, Jayden, Mark, Min Seo, Eleanor, and Mabel, who will advance to the School-Wide Spelling Bee on January 21st. One student will go on to represent ACS at the Regional Spelling Bee on March 10th.

We are incredibly proud of all of our brave spellers! To celebrate their effort and perseverance, every participant has earned an extra recess (date to be announced).
Students and teachers are in a classroom with a large interactive screen displaying a timer and icons.
Students sit at desks in a classroom, facing a group of peers who are standing and presenting.
4th Grade spelling bee winners

🎳🤝 Big Helpers, Big Smiles in PE!

Fourth graders partnered with our PreK students during PE to help them knock the pins down. Through encouragement, teamwork, and lots of cheers, students turned this activity into a fun and supportive learning experience for everyone!
Children play a game with colorful balls and cones in a gymnasium.
 

From our Home & School Association (HSA)

The ACS Talent Show is scheduled for Thursday, January 29 in the LHS Little Theater at 6:45pm.

The deadline to register is this upcoming Monday, January 19th! If your child would like to perform, please register HERE

Please send questions to talentshow@acshsa.org

**Flowers will be provided by the HSA for families to present to performers. Donations are greatly appreciated!
Anna C. Scott Elementary School presents the 2026 Talent Show on January 29th at 6:45 PM at Leonia High School Little Theatre.

Tote Some Town Spirit!

Super special canvas tote bags are available for purchase. They’re very well-made, extra roomy, and custom-designed by a Leonia resident and artist.

Order the tote HERE. Net proceeds go directly to ACS. Visit the Leonia Library to see one on display!
A cream-colored tote bag with a floral design and the word 'Leonia' is displayed in a glass case.
A whimsical black and white illustration of Leonia, NJ, featuring buildings, a playground, and nature elements.

HSA Open Meeting – Monday, February 2 in the ACS Cafeteria at 7pm

Please join us for this meeting. All ACS parents/guardians are welcome! We will discuss upcoming open roles on the HSA board, as well as other HSA news. Principal Neyra, Superintendent Karamanos, and our new Assistant Superintendent, Andrew Coban, will also share important school-wide updates. 
Onwards and Upwards!
Justine Choi & Melissa Freeman
Co-Presidents, 2024 - 2026
HSA Logo

Keep in Touch with our HSA!

Website: www.acshsa.org  
Instagram: @acshsa
Click here to learn how to get ParentSquare messages in the language of your choice
Click here to support our school and donate to the ACS HSA 
 

📱ACS Electronic Device Policy Reminder

This is a friendly reminder of the ACS Policy from our student/family handbook:

 Cell Phones/Electronic Devices
  • Cell phones are not permitted during school hours. 
  • Cell phones or other devices must be turned off and kept in students’ backpacks during the course of the school day.
  • Cell phones or other devices shall be confiscated by any staff member if seen, heard, or used during the school day.
  • This may result in the family being contacted and asked to pick up the phone from the main office.
  • During school hours, cell phones and other electronic devices are not permitted in classrooms (including when there is a substitute teacher), the gym, the cafeteria, hallways, locker rooms, restrooms, or during recess. 
  • Earbuds and headphones may not be worn during hallway passing times or when moving throughout the building.

In the event you need to contact your child, please contact the main office. If your child needs to contact you, they will be sent to the main office by their teacher to make a phone call using our office line.

You can also learn more about the District wide policy here
 

ACS Health Curriculum Topics

Please see topics for the month of January

K- 2 Unit: Personal Boundaries - How do we communicate about our personal boundaries?

3-4 Unit: Social Health*

3rd Grade: What makes a healthy family relationship? How can we communicate when things make us feel uncomfortable?

4th Grade: What is the difference between sexual orientation and gender identity? How do we show respect to all?

You can access the full K-4 Curriculum on the Leonia School Website

For questions related to our District Health Curriculum, please contact Steve Perrotta at Steven.Perrotta@leoniaschools.org..
health
 

Student Attendance

Good attendance and class participation are essential ingredients for academic success. Excessive absence from class is detrimental to the learning process.

Classroom lessons foster and require social interaction, development of effective communication skills, critical thinking, and subject mastery.

While we recognize there are times that your child may need to be absent, we want to encourage parents to be aware of their child's attendance and monitor how absences are or may impact on your child's learning.

Research shows that absences that exceed more than 10% (18 days) of the school year could have a lingering impact on that child's academic progress.

Below, please find the ACS Attendance Policy and Procedures for reporting absences.

Parents of students who have excessive and/or unexcused absences, tardiness or early departures will be notified by telephone and by mail.

The school will:
  • Maintain accurate daily record-keeping for attendance, absence, tardiness or early departure of each student.
  • Utilize data analysis systems for tracking individual student attendance and individual and group trends in student attendance problems.
  • Develop incentives to encourage student attendance.
  • Develop early intervention strategies to improve school attendance for all students.
  • Parents will be contacted for all student absences, even one-day absences. A call is not necessary if the parent contacts the school. A reasonable attempt must be made to reach the child's parent/guardian.

Type of Absences
Absence: Failure of a student to be physically present in school/class or an approved school activity/program.

**Please note that if your child is absent for any reason, excused or unexcused, your child’s attendance record will show an absence. Attendance is a legal record of whether or not your child is in our care; if they are not in the school building, they will be marked as absent. Communicating why your child is absent, and providing documentation when available, creates a story of your child’s attendance and helps our school to determine if more supports are needed.

Excused Absence: An absence for any portion of the day that meets the conditions specified under "Excused Absence;" 
 
Unexcused Absence: An absence for any portion of the day that does not meet the conditions specified under "Excused Absence. "

Excused Absences:
  • Illness of student 
  • Absence must be reported by the parent via phone or written communication
  • Religious observance
  • The student’s required attendance in court and supported by documentation
  • Participation in observance of Veterans Day
  • Participation in district board of election membership activities
  • Take Your Child to Work Day

Unexcused Absence: Absence for any reason other than listed above will be deemed unexcused
Attendance Matters
Attendance
Attendance
Procedures for Reporting Absences
If a child is going to be absent, you can contact the school in one of two ways - in both instances, please provide your child’s name, teacher and reason for absence

For absences that last for an extended period of time due to illness, the school nurse may reach out for more information. For extended absences, home instruction may be offered. 

In cases where your child must be released from a school prior to the end of the school day, parents must report to the main office to sign their child out. 

In the event your child arrives after 9:00am, they should report to the main office. 
District Attendance Page
 

🦁 Don't Miss the Fun at ACS! 🦁

Anna C. Scott Elementary School announces upcoming events: 4th Grade Spelling Bee on Jan 21st, Star Benchmark & Literacy Screening Jan 26th-Feb 6th, ACS Talent Show Jan 29th, and American Education Week starting Feb 2nd.
Leonia Public Schools Calendar
 
 

🥞🍎🥪 Lunch Menu 🍲🥗🥛

January 2026 school lunch menu from Maschio's Food Services, Inc. for Anna C. Scott School.
Looking to set restrictions your child's meal purchases?
Need to add money to your child's account?

 
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Leonia, NJ 07605
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