Dear ACS Families,
As we continue our countdown to the end of the school year, our classrooms remain filled with meaningful learning, growing independence, and excitement for all that is still to come! ⏳📚 This week, classes began their annual visits to the Leonia Library as students prepare for a summer filled with reading and discovery. 📖 Our PreK students also enjoyed a special onsite petting zoo experience that brought lots of smiles, curiosity, and hands-on learning opportunities. 🐐🐰
While the days ahead will certainly include many fun and memorable activities, our students continue to work hard, stay engaged, and make the most of every moment together. We are looking forward to all the celebrations, traditions, and special experiences that make the final weeks of the school year so meaningful for our ACS community!
Wishing all of our families a wonderful, relaxing weekend ahead! 😊
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We are proud to share that ACS has been recognized as a 2025-2026 Tree Campus by the Arbor Day Foundation for the second year in a row! 🎉
This recognition celebrates our school’s ongoing commitment to environmental education, hands-on learning experiences, and community engagement centered around the importance of trees and sustainability.
The Arbor Day Foundation, a global nonprofit organization dedicated to inspiring people to plant, nurture, and celebrate trees, recognizes schools that actively connect students with nature through meaningful educational opportunities and campus initiatives.
Through classroom learning, Arbor Day celebrations, and student participation in tree-focused activities, ACS continues to help foster environmental stewardship and an appreciation for the natural world in our students. Trees play an important role in improving air quality, providing shade, supporting wellness, and creating healthier learning environments for all.
We are incredibly grateful to our staff, students, families, and community partners who continue to support these efforts and help make ACS a greener, healthier place to learn and grow! 🌱
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PALS and Mentors are fostering social-emotional learning with PreK and Kindergarten students during choice time and PE. Through structured and unstructured play, students are strengthening relationships and practicing essential social skills. |
Our student artists have been busy creating colorful and imaginative projects across grade levels! Kindergarten students are learning about ladybugs through art, second graders are completing beautiful cherry blossom watercolor paintings, and fourth graders are designing vibrant puppy portraits inspired by Miami artist Romero Britto. |
Ms. Marrone and Ms. Sailer’s class is combining creativity and environmental awareness by reusing paper towel rolls to create rain sticks. Filled with birdseed, these projects help support nature while teaching students the value of recycling and caring for the Earth.
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Our one-week-old chicks are thriving as they grow and become more comfortable in their environment. Students were excited to hold them and see their development up close, deepening their understanding through this special hands-on experience.
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Students in Ms. Fisher’s class are exploring poetry from a range of authors, engaging with diverse poems and discovering how writers use words, rhythm, and imagery to express ideas and emotions. |
During a special Zen Zone storytime, Grade 2 students reflected on their year, discussed TRACK, and considered what it means to be ready for 3rd grade. Through PINTS, students thoughtfully explored their growth and future goals. |
Our Global Citizens Club is sharing weekly recycling tips to help our community make more environmentally friendly choices.
Through student leadership, we’re building lifelong habits of responsibility, sustainability, and care for the world around us.
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We’re excited to help every student get their own library card! Having a Leonia Library card opens the door to endless books, free resources, and fun summer reading opportunities.
If your child does not have their own library card, please take a moment to fill out the Google Form to sign your child up. Once completed, your child will receive their library card during their class visit to the library.
Let’s get everyone ready for a summer full of reading adventures!
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Field day is one of the most anticipated days of the year for ACS students; and volunteer families make it possible. Sign up HERE to help.
Our greatest need is for volunteers to support:
- Pre/K – Wed 5/27 afternoon
- 1st/2nd – Wed 5/27 morning
- 3rd/4th – Thurs 5/28 morning
ACS kids remember Field Day for years. Be a part of it.
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Thank you to all who have stepped up and nominated themselves for next year’s HSA board. We are grateful for your commitment to our school community. Now it’s everyone else’s turn! Voting is open this week: Monday, May 18 through Friday, May 22. Complete the election form HERE and help choose the board members who will shape the HSA next year. https://my.cheddarup.com/c/hsaelection2026/forms
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The Book Fair will be coming back to ACS Tuesday, June 2 through Thursday, June 4. Mark your calendars for the evening hours of the fair on June 2, during which we will have a special gathering:
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In honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, our Korean Liaisons organized a virtual visit between our 3rd and 4th graders and the inventor, Thomas Clement. From Korean orphan to holder of 78 medical patents, Mr. Clement is living proof that imagination and perseverance can change the world. We hope his remarkable life and accomplishments inspired our students.
To view a recording of the session, click HERE.
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* 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
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Registration for the 2026-2027 school year is now live! Here's what you need to know:
📅Register by April 2, 2026 to guarantee placement for Leonia residents.
Who's eligible? Pre-K 4 → Turns 4 by October 1, 2026 | Kindergarten → Turns 5 by October 1, 2026
Already in Pre-K 4? If your child is currently enrolled in Pre-K 4 as a Leonia resident, you do not need to register — they'll be automatically promoted to Kindergarten.
3 Steps to Register:
- Complete the online registration & Home Language Survey at www.leoniaschools.org/prek-k-registration (registration checklist available in English, Korean, and Spanish)
- Gather your documents (birth certificate/passport, proof of residency, medical forms — full list on the registration page). Please have all documents ready — incomplete packets cannot be processed.
- After completing your online registration, you'll be directed to schedule your in-person appointment. All appointments must be booked by April 2 before 1:00 PM.
💳Pre-K tuition details and payment schedule are on the registration page under the Pre-K Tuition tab.
We can't wait to meet our newest Leonia Lions!
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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
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Please see topics for the month of April
May
K- 4 Unit: Summer Health and Safety:
Kindergarten - 4th Grade: How can we keep ourselves and our families healthy and safe?
For questions related to our District Health Curriculum, please contact Steve Perrotta at Steven.Perrotta@leoniaschools.org..
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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
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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.
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Looking to set restrictions your child's meal purchases?
Need to add money to your child's account?
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We know families are busy and may not always be able to read updates right away. No worries!
You can easily find posts later using the search bar at the top right. Just type in a keyword, phrase, or the poster’s name to quickly locate what you need to.
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To learn more about our schools, follow us on:
281 Broad Ave.
Leonia, NJ 07605
Phone: (201) 302-5200
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