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Anna C. Scott School

Scholarship. Citizenship. Excellence.

ACS Weekly Update - January 23rd

Posted Date: 01/23/26 (03:19 PM)


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Anna C. Scott Elementary

Scholarship. Citizenship. Excellence.

ACS Weekly Update

Dear ACS Families,

We are wrapping up another busy and exciting week at school, even as colder temperatures kept us indoors for recess, we've kept learning our top priority!

Our classrooms were buzzing with learning, and our recent professional development day provided valuable time for our staff to reflect, collaborate, and grow together to strengthen instruction for all students.

One standout moment this week was our exciting, and truly nail-biting, 4th Grade Spelling Bee, where students impressed us with their focus, perseverance, and school spirit.

We wish all of our families a warm and wonderful weekend ahead! ❄️📚🐝

 

🧠✨ By Educators, For Educators ✨🧠

Our recent PD Day highlighted the incredible expertise within our own school community. Staff members led engaging sessions in their areas of strength, sharing practical strategies and insights with colleagues. We are grateful for their willingness to lead, collaborate, and help us continue growing together as a learning community.
People of diverse backgrounds are seated at a table, engaged in coloring intricate designs on paper.
A teacher presents "Conferencing Champions: Unlocking Student Voice" to a group of adults in a classroom.
A classroom scene with several people working on laptops at desks, surrounded by bookshelves and educational materials.
A teacher presents a slide titled 'Cultural Values to Consider' to a class of students.

🌟🐝 Spelling Stars Shine Bright! 🐝🌟

Our 2nd annual 4th Grade Spelling Bee had the entire audience on the edge of their seats as the competition stretched an impressive 20 rounds! Students demonstrated incredible focus, perseverance, and sportsmanship throughout. Congratulations to Mark Kim from Ms. Daley’s class, who earned first place and will represent our school at the Regional Spelling Bee on March 10th. We are so proud of all our spellers!

A special thank you to our 4th grade teachers, and Ms. Lewis Hickman and Ms. Compel for organizing this exciting event for our students!
Spelling Bee Contestants
Spelling Bee Winner

🚦🎈 On the Move! PreK Transportation Explorers 🚗✈️

As part of their transportation unit, our PreK students explored how we travel on land and in the sky! In Mrs. Pano’s classroom, students learned all about hot air balloons—how they work and where they can travel—then designed and created their own using a variety of art materials and loose parts. Their imaginations took flight as their balloons soared to amazing destinations! Meanwhile, students in Ms. DaSilva’s class studied traffic signs and their importance, then created their own signs to use right in their classroom, helping them learn how signs keep us safe and moving.
Children's artwork and classroom signs are displayed on a white brick wall.
Two children's drawings are displayed on a white wall, one with colorful scribbles and figures, the other depicting people and a bed.
Children in a classroom sit on a colorful rug, drawing on whiteboards with markers.
Two children stand in a classroom, each holding a balloon designed to look like a hot air balloon.
Two young girls in a classroom are holding a yellow balloon and a pink craft project.

❄️🤝 Winter PALS in Action! Teamwork on the Playground

Our Winter PALS have been hard at work supporting Kindergarten students alongside Mrs. Corn and Mr. Morales! Through guided play and shared activities, students practiced fair play, teamwork, and what it means to be a supportive teammate. With encouragement and positive role modeling, our PALS helped make recess a fun, inclusive space where everyone could play, learn, and succeed together.
Children participate in a physical education class in a school gymnasium.
Children participate in a physical activity session in a gymnasium, performing various exercises on the wooden floor.
 

From our Home & School Association (HSA)

Anna C. Scott Elementary School presents the 2026 Talent Show on January 29th at 6:45 PM at Leonia High School Little Theatre.

The ACS Talent Show – NEXT Thursday, January 29 in the LHS Little Theater at 6:45pm

Please join us to cheer on and celebrate our talented ACS students as they take the stage! Flowers will be provided by the HSA for families to present to performers; and donations on the day of are warmly appreciated.

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

Please join us for this important, in-person meeting. All ACS parents/guardians are welcome! Reasons to attend the meeting:
  • Principal Neyra, Superintendent Karamanos, and Assistant Superintendent Coban will share important school-wide updates. 
  • It’s an opportunity to ask questions about the HSA and share feedback with the HSA board. If there is something specific you’d like to know about the HSA, please submit your question(s) to president@acshsa.org by next Friday, January 30.
A whimsical black and white illustration of Leonia, NJ, featuring buildings, a playground, and nature elements.

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.
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 event calendar: Star Benchmark & Literacy Screening, Talent Show, American Education Week, and February Recess.
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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281 Broad Ave.
Leonia, NJ 07605
Phone: (201) 302-5200
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