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Anna C. Scott School

Scholarship. Citizenship. Excellence.

ACS Weekly Update - November 13th

Posted Date: 11/13/26 (03:30 PM)

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Anna C. Scott Elementary

Scholarship. Citizenship. Excellence.

ACS Weekly Update

Happy Friday ACS Families!

What a busy and exciting week at ACS! From celebrating American Education Week and welcoming families into our classrooms to enjoying a captivating art assembly, there was so much happening and so much learning taking place throughout the building.

As we reflect on the week, we also took time on Wednesday to recognize Veterans Day and honor the men and women who have served our country. We are grateful for their service and sacrifice.

Wishing all of our ACS families a wonderful weekend! Enjoy the time together, and we look forward to another great week ahead!
 

✨ ACS in Action ✨

From classroom learning to creative projects and everything in between, here’s a glimpse of what’s happening at ACS!

🎨 An Amazing Art Experience at ACS!

Our students enjoyed a captivating and inspiring assembly with Amazing Hero Art! Through live art demonstrations, creativity, and storytelling, students had the opportunity to see art come to life right before their eyes. It was an exciting experience that celebrated imagination, creativity, and the power of artistic expression.

Learn more about the experience by visiting Amazing Hero Art's School Programs.

A special thank you to our ACS HSA for bringing this wonderful experience to our students and making opportunities like this possible. We appreciate your continued support in enriching our students' experiences beyond the classroom! ❤️🎨
 

🍎 Celebrating American Education Week at ACS!

This week, we had the pleasure of celebrating American Education Week and welcoming our families into ACS! From visiting classrooms and seeing the wonderful learning taking place to sharing lunchtime with our students, it was a great opportunity to give families a closer look at the experiences that make our school community so special.

Thank you to all of the families who took the time to join us, visit classrooms, and share these special moments with their children. A special thank you to our teachers for opening their classroom doors, sharing their learning environments, and all that they do each day to make meaningful learning experiences possible for our students.

American Education Week is a wonderful reminder that it truly takes a partnership between home and school to help our children grow and succeed. We are grateful for our ACS community! ❤️🍎
A bright, well-lit classroom filled with adults and children gathered around tables for an activity.
A teacher assists students seated at grouped desks in a bright classroom with decorated walls and a daily schedule.
A bright, bustling classroom features students working at desks and adults assisting them.
A lively elementary classroom features children and adults engaged in reading and learning activities together.

🎨 A Gallery of Creativity: Art Around ACS!

Our art displays are getting a refresh! Students have been busy creating beautiful projects inspired by literature, famous artists, and the natural world. From third graders' lighthouse creations inspired by Hello Lighthouse and explorations of Paul Klee's Cat and Bird to fourth graders' interpretations of the Tree of Life, our young artists have been bringing their creativity and imagination to life. Be sure to stop by the Art Room to enjoy their wonderful work! 🖼️🌳🐦
A wall display features six child-created drawings of 'Cat & Bird' inspired by Paul Klee.
Three hand-drawn pictures of red and white lighthouses displayed side by side.
A classroom display features colorful children's drawings of trees and abstract squiggly lines mounted on a brick wall.
A teacher assists a young student with colorful construction toys at a table in a bright classroom.

🌉 Building Big Ideas: Our Little Engineers at Work!

During technology class, our PreK engineers embarked on an exciting STEAM adventure exploring the amazing world of bridges! 

Children viewed pictures of different bridges on the SMART Board, discovering their unique shapes, sizes, and designs. They worked together in small groups to design and construct their very own bridges using LEGOs and building toys. T

hrough this hands-on learning experience, children explored early engineering concepts and learned that great ideas can become amazing creations when we use our imagination, work together, and never stop exploring!
Three children sit at a table, focused on drawing and coloring on white paper.

🐦 Little Artists, Big Creativity!

Our first graders brought the beauty of nature into the art room as they created their own drawings of chickadees! Through careful observation, creativity, and attention to detail, students captured the charm of these little birds while developing their artistic skills. 🎨🍂
Two young students stand proudly in a classroom, holding up their certificates of achievement.

📚 Phonics Success Worth Celebrating!

Some of our ACS students are celebrating their growing phonics skills and the progress they are making as readers! Through practice, perseverance, and hard work, they are building the foundational skills that support reading success. We love seeing their confidence grow and celebrating each step along the way! 🌟👏
Three children examine the grass inside a white string boundary on a sunny lawn.

🌿 Exploring Our Schoolyard Habitats!

Our second graders stepped outside to become nature explorers! They observed and compared different schoolyard habitats, discovering the plants and animals that call each area home. Through hands-on investigation, students explored how sunlight, water, and other resources help support living things. Learning is always an adventure, especially when it takes us outdoors! 🐞🌳🔍
Three young girls proudly hold up their owl drawings in a brightly lit classroom.

🦉 Whooo's Making Art? Our Little Barn Owls!

Mrs. Hahalis' kindergarten artists brought Tony Johnston's The Barn Owls to life through these charming mixed-media creations! Using crayons and colored construction paper, students explored color, texture, and creativity to create their own adorable barn owls. What a wonderful way to bring a story to life through art! 🎨📚✨
Students are engaged in reading and writing activities at their desks in a bright classroom.

📚 Fiction or Nonfiction? Reading Like Detectives!

Our fourth graders in Ms. Daley's class are sharpening their reading skills by exploring the differences between fiction and nonfiction texts! Students examined text features and discovered how authors use them to organize information, share facts, and bring stories to life. Building strong readers, one discovery at a time! 🔎📖✨
 

🦁 Good to Know! 🦁

Important information, reminders, and procedures to help our ACS families stay informed.

🏫 Keeping ACS Safe & Welcoming

The safety and security of our students and staff is always our top priority. To help us maintain a safe, welcoming, and secure school environment, we ask all visitors to follow our visitor procedures.

🪪 Visitor Procedures

All visitors must:
  • Enter through the Main Entrance on Broad Avenue.
  • Present a valid government-issued ID upon arrival
  • Have their ID processed through our Raptor visitor management system.
  • Receive a visitor pass and lanyard, which must be worn and visible at all times while in the building.
  • Be escorted by a Leonia Public Schools staff member at all times.
  • Exit through the Broad Avenue entrance when leaving the building.

🚨 Important Reminder

Visitors who refuse to provide valid identification will not be permitted to enter the building.

These procedures help us know who is in our building and allow us to maintain a safe environment for everyone.

Please note: These identification and visitor procedures do not apply to large parent and community events where alternative entry procedures may be communicated in advance.

Thank you for your partnership and for helping us keep ACS a safe and welcoming place for all! 💙
 

📱 Off and Away: Personal Devices at ACS

As we begin a new school year, we want to remind families about our expectations for personal internet-enabled devices during the school day.

In alignment with state law and the district’s “Off and Away” policy, students are expected to keep personal internet-enabled devices off or silenced and stored out of sight throughout the school day.

What does this include?
  • 📱 Smartphones
  • ⌚ Smartwatches
  • 🎧 Earbuds
  • 💻 Tablets and other internet-enabled personal devices

When does this apply?
The expectation is in place from the time students arrive at school through dismissal at 2:45 PM.

What about technology for learning?
When technology is needed for instruction, students will use district-issued devices. This allows technology to enhance learning while helping us create classrooms where students can remain focused, engaged, and connected with their teachers and classmates.

We ask families to take a few minutes to review these expectations with your child. Starting the year with a shared understanding helps us create a positive, focused, and respectful learning environment for everyone.

📄 For complete details, please review:

Thank you for your continued partnership and for helping us make ACS a place where students can learn, grow, and be fully present each day!
An informational poster titled 'At ACS, We're Ready to Learn!' outlines guidelines for personal device use.
 

📚 Attendance Matters at ACS!

Regular attendance is an important part of your child’s success at school. Every day of learning matters! Being in school consistently gives students the opportunity to participate in classroom lessons, build relationships, practice communication and critical-thinking skills, and stay on track academically.

We understand that there are times when a child needs to be absent. We encourage families to monitor attendance and be mindful of how missed school days may impact learning. Research shows that missing more than 10% of the school year (approximately 18 days) can have a lasting impact on a student’s academic progress.

📝 A Few Important Attendance Reminders

All absences are recorded. Whether an absence is excused or unexcused, if your child is not in school, the absence will be reflected in their attendance record. Attendance is a legal record of whether or not your child is present in our care.

When your child is absent, please communicate the reason for the absence. This information helps us understand your child’s attendance history and determine whether additional support may be needed.

📞 How to Report an Absence

If your child will be absent, please notify the school and provide:

  • Your child’s name
  • Teacher’s name
  • Reason for the absence

You may report an absence in any of these ways:


The school will make a reasonable attempt to contact a parent/guardian regarding all student absences, including one-day absences. If you have already notified the school, an additional call is not necessary.

⏰ Late Arrivals & Early Dismissals

  • Arriving after 8:45 a.m.: Students must report to the Main Office upon arrival.
  • Early dismissal: A parent/guardian must come to the Main Office to sign the student out.

💙 Working Together

Our goal is to partner with families to support consistent attendance and student success. If your child begins to experience frequent absences, tardiness, or early departures, the school may reach out to discuss attendance and determine whether additional support is needed.

Thank you for helping us make every school day count! Your partnership makes a difference in your child’s learning and success at ACS.
A digital guide detailing the seven step-by-step instructions for reporting student attendance through the Leonia Public Schools Genesis Parent Portal.
District Attendance Page
 
A graphic featuring the logo for the Anna C. Scott Elementary School Home and School Association against a maroon background with a lion illustration.

A Sweet Way to Support ACS!

Get ready for Thanksgiving with Krispy Kreme doughnuts and 12-ounce bags of coffee. Choose from five doughnut flavors and two coffee blends.

  • Order by: Thursday, November 19 
  • Pickup: Tuesday, November 24, 2:30–3:30 PM

Get the School Photo You Love

If your child missed Photo Day or you’d like their photo retaken, please email your child’s teacher by Friday, November 20. 

  • Retake Day is Monday, November 23
  • Send the original photo package to school on Retake Day, with your concerns on the front of the envelope. A replacement package will be provided at no additional cost.
  • Brightness or color issues? No retake needed. Photos can be fixed digitally. Contact BNL Customer Service: (732) 414-2115, ext. 1, or use the live chat or contact form on their website.

Missing Something?

Here’s a peek at this week’s Lost and Found items. Stop by at dismissal to take a look. You may be surprised to find your child’s things there! 
A metal wire shelf holds stacks of folded sweaters and a plastic bin labeled 'ACS Lost and found'.
A school lost and found area features a clothing rack with jackets and a metal shelving unit with labeled bins for lunch gear, tiny misc, gloves, and hats.
A rack filled with various jackets and hoodies stands in a school hallway.
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 
 

📅 Coming Up at ACS! 📅

Here’s what’s happening next at Anna C. Scott!
A promotional flyer for the ACS Family Learning Series on developing executive function skills, scheduled for Thursday, November 19th at 6:00 PM.
A colorful poster for Picture Retake Day announces the event is on Monday, November 23rd, featuring a camera icon and smiling students.
A cartoon lion mascot holds a sign announcing Thanksgiving Recess with dates for single session and school closures.
Leonia Public Schools Calendar
 

🥞🍎🥪 Maschio's Lunch Menu 🍲🥗🥛

A November 2026 school lunch menu calendar for Anna C. Scott School, decorated with fruit illustrations.
A flyer titled 'Food Allergy and Special Diet Program' from Maschio's Food Services, detailing safety measures for the 2026-2027 school year.
A flyer in Spanish titled 'PROGRAMA DE ALERGIAS ALIMENTARIAS Y DIETAS ESPECIALES (ASDP)' for the 2026-2027 school year.
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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