October 6–10 is the Week of Respect, a statewide initiative that highlights the importance of building a culture of kindness, empathy, and inclusion. At Leonia High School, we are proud of our diverse community, diverse in culture, background, beliefs, and experiences. This week reminds us that bullying has no place in our schools and that everyone deserves to feel safe, respected, and supported. By celebrating respect, we strengthen the connections that make our school welcoming to all.

We’ll mark the week with daily activities and spirit days designed to bring our community together:

Let’s stand together to prevent bullying, honor our differences, and show that respect is at the heart of everything we do at Leonia High School.

On Tuesday, October 15th, all sophomores and juniors at LHS will take the PSAT/NMSQT in a digital format. This exam is an important opportunity for students to practice for the SAT and to gain feedback on their academic skills. For juniors, the PSAT/NMSQT also serves as the qualifying test for the National Merit Scholarship Program, which recognizes top academic performers nationwide.

Because of testing, October 15th will follow a special schedule:

The special schedule for the day, as well as the Edgewater bus schedule, is provided below for your reference.

About the PSAT/NMSQT

The PSAT/NMSQT is a nationwide test sponsored by the College Board and the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. Its main purposes are to give students an introduction to the SAT and to serve as the qualifying test for the National Merit Scholarship Program.

No special preparation or outside coaching is required.

What Students Should Bring on Test Day:

It is also recommended that students practice with the Bluebook app before the day of testing. Instructions on how to use the app will be provided during English classes.

For Leonia High School students graduating in 2026, and 2027, New Jersey law P.L. 2023, c.295 mandates that each student must complete either the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the NJ Alternative Financial Aid Application (NJAFAA) to be eligible for a diploma.

FAFSA is the gateway to federal financial aid for college or vocational school, including access to Pell Grants, work-study programs, and federal loans. Many states, colleges, and private aid providers also use FAFSA information to determine eligibility for various forms of financial support. Completing the FAFSA allows students to explore financial aid opportunities for any postsecondary path they choose, from two-year and four-year colleges to technical schools.

See attached for more details regarding filing the FAFSA or submitting a waiver. If you have any questions, please reach out to your student's school counselor 

Sincerely, 

Ms. Adrienne M. Stein

Director of Student Services

FAFSA Graduation Letter

Leonia Mayor, Mr. Bill Ziegler, has reached out to the Leonia Board of Education for help in selecting members for the Mayor's Youth Advisory Committee in order to gain valuable insights into the concerns and priorities of high school students, particularly as they relate to key municipal services such as the Police Department, Recreation Commission, Library, Environmental Commission, Share Tree Commission, and diversity related matters. The Mayor believes the perspectives of our youth can help to better serve the community.

The mayor is looking for interested Leonia students in grades 10 and 11.

Students selected are expected to attend all meetings, complete any preparatory work, and actively contribute. Students missing more than two meetings will be replaced by alternates. 

Meetings will take place monthly. 

Selection Process:

The Mayor has asked the Leonia High School staff and administration to recommend potential candidates for the committee. The Mayor will then meet individually with the recommended candidates to explain the initiative and select the final members.

In order to recommend students that are passionate and interested in this opportunity we are asking Leonia students in the Junior and Sophomore classes to complete this Google Form. Students will need to complete all attached information and write a short 250 word statement explaining why they would like to be considered for the Mayor's Youth Advisory Committee.

All submissions are due by Monday, October 13, 2025 at 3:00pm.

If you have any questions, see Mr. Kalender.

The Cross Country team had a record-setting weekend at the Six Flags Wild Safari Invitational last Saturday.

On the girls’ side, Dominique Cameron dominated the field, running the fastest time of the day while breaking both the school and county course records. Daniella Cameron also had a major breakthrough, posting a huge personal record and moving into second all-time in county history at Six Flags. Freshman Eleanor Jang made her mark as well, breaking the freshman course record and leading the team to an impressive 3rd place finish.

For the boys, the duo of Calvin Daou and Jeremy Garcia was outstanding. Calvin shattered both the school and county records, running the 7th fastest time of the day overall. Jeremy followed with a tremendous performance of his own, running a two-minute personal record and finishing 20 seconds faster than the previous school record.

Congratulations to all our runners for their remarkable achievements and for representing LHS so well on the big stage!

The New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) is requiring all districts to participate in a mandatory NJSLA-Adaptive field test this fall. This test is essential to help the state develop the new computer-adaptive assessment, which will personalize the testing experience for students in the future. This is a field test only, which means students will not receive individual scores or results. The sole purpose is for the NJDOE to evaluate the quality and fairness of the test items before the NJSLA-A begins in Spring 2026.

The NJDOE has released tutorials and practice tests on the New Jersey Assessments Portal's Student and Families Webpage. The tutorials familiarize students with the items types, testing tools, accessibility features, test format, and navigation of the Test Delivery System (TDS) that will be used for the NJSLA-A and NJGPA-A. Practice tests provide an opportunity for students to become familiar with the types of items and to respond to test questions similar to the questions students will be asked to answer on each of the tests.

We’re excited to share a new, convenient way for parents to report student absences. The Notify Attendance Office feature in the Genesis Parent Portal allows you to let us know if your child will be out of school, no phone call or note required.

To use this feature:

The attendance office will receive the information instantly. This new tool makes reporting absences easier, faster, and more accurate.

See the photo below for an example.

Mark your calendars! The LHS Annual Holiday Market will take place on Friday, November 22, from 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM in the LHS gymnasium. Admission is $5, with all proceeds benefiting the Student Council.

Shop for crafts, baked goods, custom items, jewelry, and more while enjoying food trucks, face painting, and plenty of festive fun. It’s a great chance to find unique gifts and support our school community!

Don’t miss this trip of a lifetime! Explore Berlin, Leipzig, Dresden, Nuremberg, and Munich—see iconic landmarks, dive into history, and experience culture firsthand.

Sign up and learn about the itinerary, cost, safety, fundraising, and more here: Sign Up Here!

If you’re interested, contact Ms. Kelty immediately. The deadline to sign up is Monday!

In Ms. Kelty's, Conversations in Humanities II class, the class participated in a Socratic Seminar. Students explored the many forms leadership can take and how different approaches shape social and institutional change. Discussions highlighted the quiet but determined advocacy of the Radium Girls, whose efforts through the courts and public pressure led to crucial workplace protections. Students also examined Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s moral leadership and commitment to nonviolent resistance, as well as Rosa Parks’ singular act of defiance that helped ignite the Montgomery Bus Boycott.

The conversation encouraged critical thinking, active listening, and thoughtful dialogue. By comparing these powerful examples, students gained a deeper understanding of how courage and conviction, whether through persistence, organized action, or individual resolve, can alter the course of history.

Students taking AP Research, a course where they investigate their own original research projects over the course of the year, "married" their research topics in a fun commitment ceremony in class on Tuesday, 9/30. Students vowed not only to investigate their chosen topic to their greatest ability but also to uphold all College Board policies about fabrication and falsification of data and AI. Ms. Seavers, their teacher, acted as the officiant and the students marked their union with ring pops presented by their AP Seminar teacher, Mrs. Sommer (the prerequisite course). Students celebrated their "marriage" with a spread of treats they brought into class. After the ceremony, students will not be able to change their research topics and they are now in the process of developing annotated bibliographies and more refined research questions.  

For the first time this year, the Introduction to Piano course is open to all Leonia High School students, not just those in the LMAC Academy. With two sections and a total of 36 students, the class brings together learners of all musical backgrounds—ranging from those who have never touched a piano to students with years of experience.

Thanks to the innovative setup in the piano room, Mr. Dunn can work with students of widely varying abilities during the same class period. Each piano is equipped with headphones so students can practice privately, while Mr. Dunn uses a control panel to hear and provide real-time guidance. This individualized approach ensures that every student can progress at their own pace while receiving personalized instruction.

We are thrilled to offer this course to students of all musical abilities and look forward to seeing their growth throughout the year.

Leonia High School has many opportunities for students to get involved, and our Club & Activity Book is your guide to everything happening this year. From academic clubs to special interest groups, there’s something for everyone.

Many clubs have already started meeting, so now is the perfect time to explore your options. Students are encouraged to listen to the morning announcements, check the signs posted around the building, or reach out directly to the advisors listed in the Club & Activity Book to learn more.

Take a look, find a club that sparks your interest, and join the fun—this is your chance to make the most of your time at LHS!

Beginning October 1st, Open Flex will go live!

Students will be required to sign up for FlexTime activities in one of two ways:

A few important reminders:

To help students get started, we’ve included short instructional videos that walk through how to sign up for activities in Securly Flex. We encourage all students to download the app and/or try the Classlink option now so they’re ready when Open Flex begins.

Click to access the 25-26 Modified Rotating Block (MRB) Schedule.