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Anna C. Scott School

Scholarship. Citizenship. Excellence.

ACS Weekly Update - February 6th

Posted Date: 02/06/26 (03:00 PM)


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Anna C. Scott Elementary

Scholarship. Citizenship. Excellence.

ACS Weekly Update

Dear ACS Families,

This week was filled with meaningful moments as we celebrated American Education Week. It was a joy to welcome families into our classrooms to learn alongside your children and to share special lunchtime visits together. We also wrapped up the week with our wonderful 2nd Grade Musical on Friday, where our students truly shined!

Don't forget, next week is Spread the Love Week! We look forward to seeing your children in their spirit wear!

Thank you for your continued partnership and support. We hope you have a relaxing weekend and stay warm!
Poster announcing 'Spread the Love Week' from February 9-13 with daily themes and dress code suggestions.
 

🤝 American Education Week: A Celebration of Partnership

This week, we celebrated American Education Week by highlighting the strong partnership between home and school. Families joined their children in the classroom, participated in our parent food tasting, and enjoyed special lunch visits together. These meaningful moments allowed families to experience learning and daily school life alongside their children. We are grateful for your involvement and continued support.
Children and adults engage in a craft activity at tables in a classroom decorated with paper lanterns.
Children and adults work on worksheets at tables in a classroom, with a large screen displaying educational content.
A teacher presents a lesson to a classroom of students gathered around tables, with a large screen displaying colorful illustrations.
A diverse group of students and adults are gathered in a classroom, with some seated at tables and others standing.
People gather in a brightly lit cafeteria with large windows, some standing near tables with food and drinks.
A group of children and adults are gathered around a table with lunchboxes and food.
A group of children and adults sit at a long table, with lunch bags and water bottles spread out.
A group of children and adults sit at blue tables, eating lunch and interacting.

📖 World Read Aloud Day: Authors, Stories & Inspiration

In celebration of World Read Aloud Day, students across all grade levels enjoyed a special virtual visit with published authors. Hearing stories read aloud by the authors themselves—and learning about their creative journeys—made reading come alive. Students asked thoughtful questions and left inspired by powerful messages about perseverance, creativity, and finding their voice.
Moments we loved:
  • “Read, read, read… then write, write, write!” — Jocelyn Rish reminded students that practice is the key to becoming an author.
  • Lisa Rogers shared that asking for help can be hard, but it can make all the difference.
  • Carole Lindstrom encouraged students to remember that “your voice matters.”
  • Maritere Bellas captivated students by reading in both English and Spanish, celebrating language and culture.

A classroom of young students sits on the floor, attentively watching a presentation on a large screen about a book titled 'Where does a PIRATE go Potty?'.
Children sit on the floor in a classroom, attentively watching a presentation on a large screen.
Students sit on the floor in a classroom, watching a presentation on a large screen about the book 'Battle of the Butts'.
Students in a classroom watch a woman on a large screen reading a book titled 'Aiding in Plain Sight'.

Little Learners, Big Love at the Campfire 🔥

Friday’s PreK and Kindergarten campfire with PALS was all about showing love through TRACK actions. Students shared ideas and practiced taking turns, working together, and including others—important habits that help our youngest learners grow as kind classmates.
A group of children and adults gather in a school gymnasium for an event, with a stage set up at one end.
Children and adults gather in a gymnasium, some sitting on the floor while others stand.

❄️ “Flakes” Takes the Stage!

Our second grade students closed out the week with a wonderful performance of Flakes, a winter-themed musical enjoyed by families. Students showcased their hard work, confidence, and teamwork, making it a special experience for all who attended.
A large group of children in white outfits stand on a stage in front of red and black curtains.

Good Things Come to Those Who Wait 💛

With the support of their mentors, Kindergarten students practiced waiting for help during lunchtime. Everyone learned the sign for “wait while we wait,” showing patience and kindness as they looked out for one another through TRACK actions.
Children and adults are seated at long tables in a brightly lit cafeteria, enjoying a meal.
A group of diverse elementary school children are gathered in a classroom or cafeteria, some sitting at tables with food, others standing.

🧠📊 Building Graphing Skills Together

Through a partner project, students gathered data from their classmates on favorites such as cookies, games, and baseball teams. They will represent their findings using bar graphs, picture graphs, and tally mark charts, reinforcing both math and collaboration skills.
Two boys work on assignments at desks in a classroom, surrounded by shelves of books and supplies.
Three young students are focused on their work at a classroom table, surrounded by school supplies.

🏟️ Big Game, Big Fun in PE!

To celebrate the Super Bowl this weekend, students participated in football-themed stations during PE. The activities kept students moving, smiling, and working together—just like a real game day!
Children participate in a basketball-themed activity in a gymnasium with colorful hoops and a pink basket.
Two children are playing an obstacle course in a gymnasium with colorful stepping stones and foam shapes.
Children and an adult participate in a physical education activity with cones, hoops, and a basket.
Children participate in a physical education class in a school gymnasium with blue flooring.

🎼 Celebrating Musical Excellence at ACS

ACS is thrilled to recognize 4th grader Mabel Cox, who has earned a spot in the NJ Elementary All-State Choir. This tremendous accomplishment highlights Mabel’s dedication to her musical development and reflects the value our school community places on music education.

A young girl smiles in front of a colorful mural of a lion playing drums on a brick wall.
 
 

From our Home & School Association (HSA)

ACS HSA Open Meeting Minutes

Thank you to everyone who attended the ACS Home and School Association in-person board meeting this week. We were honored to be joined by Dr. Karamanos, Leonia School District Superintendent; Assistant Superintendent Mr. Coban; and ACS Principal Ms. Neyra. We appreciate the thoughtful discussion and engaging Q&A with the HSA Board and district leadership. A link to the public meeting minutes is included for those who were unable to attend:


Coming Up! Korean Cultural Festival - Friday, February 27th

Join us for the upcoming Korean Cultural Festival! Leonia students have been wholeheartedly preparing and are excited to share a celebration of dance, music, and traditions with the whole community. This year’s festival will be held at the LHS little Theatre on Friday, February 27th from 6:30 - 8:00 PM. We hope to see you there!
Poster for the Korean Cultural Festival: Lunar New Year Student Performance on February 27, 2026, at Leonia High School.
Onwards and Upwards!
Justine Choi & Melissa Freeman
Co-Presidents, 2024 - 2026
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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 February

K- 2 Unit: Social Health

Kindergarten: What makes a healthy family relationship?
1st Grade: What are gender expectations?
2nd Grade: What makes your identity?

3-4 Unit: Emotional Health - What are healthy ways we can express different emotions?

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: Harlem Wizards Assembly on Feb 9th.
Leonia Public Schools Calendar
 
 

🥞🍎🥪 Lunch Menu 🍲🥗🥛

February 2026 school lunch menu from Maschio's Food Services 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
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