As the calendar turns to June on Monday, it is hard to believe that only 19 days of school remain in the 2025-2026 school year. While the finish line is in sight, the days ahead are some of the busiest and most rewarding of the entire year.
June is always my favorite time of year because it gives us the opportunity to celebrate the incredible achievements of our students and staff. The next three weeks are filled with awards ceremonies, graduations, performances, and special traditions that recognize the hard work, dedication, and accomplishments of our school community.
This coming week is packed with exciting events. On Monday evening, we will celebrate our student-athletes at the Athletic Awards Dinner. Tuesday morning, Class of 2026 Valedictorian Joonwoo Lee will join fellow valedictorians from across Bergen County as they are honored at the annual Bergen County Valedictorian Breakfast at The Terrace at Biagio's in Paramus. Tuesday evening, we will recognize the outstanding accomplishments of the Class of 2026 at our Senior Awards Ceremony. On Wednesday, we will celebrate seniors graduating from the Leonia Academies.
Senior Week also continues with a full schedule of memorable events. Seniors will gather for the annual Senior BBQ in Edgewater on Monday, followed by the Senior Talent Show and Kickball-Baseball Tournament on Tuesday. On Wednesday, students will participate in the powerful After the Fire presentation featuring Seton Hall fire survivors Alvaro Llanos and Shawn Simons, sponsored by the Edgewater and Leonia Fire Departments. Senior Week will conclude on Thursday with the annual Dorney Park trip.
As we enter the final month of the school year, I encourage everyone to enjoy these special moments, celebrate the accomplishments of our students, and take pride in all that has been achieved this year. There is still much to look forward to as we close out another outstanding year at Leonia High School.
GO LIONS!
Chuck Kalender, Principal
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Dear Families of the Graduating Class of 2026,
Leonia High School's Graduation Ceremony is scheduled for Thursday, June 25, 2026. The ceremony will be held in the Leonia High School gymnasium and will begin promptly at 6:00 p.m.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION - PLEASE READ CAREFULLY
- Each graduate will receive four (4) guest tickets. Seating for guests will be available on the bleachers located on both sides of the gymnasium. Graduates and faculty members will be seated on the gym floor.
- The four-ticket maximum is based on the safe seating capacity of the Leonia High School gymnasium. Additional tickets will not be issued, and requests for exceptions cannot be accommodated.
- Tickets will be distributed to graduates in school on Tuesday, June 23.
- Graduation gowns will be distributed to students in school on Friday, June 12. Graduates are permitted to decorate their caps.
- All graduates and guests must enter Leonia High School through the Paw Print entrance adjacent to the athletic field.
- Graduates must report to the LHS Little Theater by 5:00 p.m. Faculty members will assist students with their gowns and organize them in procession order prior to the start of the ceremony. Parents and guardians will not be permitted in the Little Theater.
- All guests must present a graduation ticket for entry into the gymnasium. No one will be admitted to the school without a graduation ticket. The gymnasium is located directly ahead upon entering through the Paw Print entrance. Faculty members will be stationed at the entrance to greet families and collect tickets.
- Gymnasium seating will begin at 5:00 p.m.
- The ceremony is expected to last approximately one hour.
Thank you for your attention to the information above and for your cooperation with our graduation guidelines. If you have any questions, please contact the Leonia High School Main Office.
Sincerely,
Chuck Kalender
Principal
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Pre-Exam Day will take place on Tuesday, June 16. Final exams will be held from June 17 through June 22.
Students are required to be in school to take their exams. Make-up exams will only be permitted with a doctor’s note. Any student who misses an exam without appropriate documentation will receive a zero.
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Senior Week officially begins this coming Thursday with the LHS Senior Prom at Old Tappan Manor. We are looking forward to celebrating the Class of 2026 and creating a memorable evening for our seniors and guests.
Please review the important expectations and guidelines for all students attending the prom:
• All students attending the prom must be free from detentions in order to attend.
• All students must be present in school on Thursday morning to attend the prom. Students who are absent from school will not be permitted to attend.
• Seniors will participate in a mandatory pre-prom presentation that will conclude between approximately 11:30 AM and 12:00 PM. Any student who leaves school before the conclusion of the presentation will be considered to have ended their school day and will no longer be eligible to attend the prom.
• Any hair, makeup, nail, or other appointments should be scheduled for after 12:00 PM. Please also allow enough travel time in the event the presentation concludes closer to 12:00 PM.
• Following the prom, all students will return to LHS on the provided buses. Edgewater students will then be transported back to Edgewater.
• Students will not be permitted to leave the prom prior to the conclusion of the event.
• All students attending the prom must report to school on Friday morning by 10:00 AM.
We appreciate everyone’s cooperation in helping make Senior Week and Prom a safe, enjoyable, and memorable experience for all students.
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BNL Photography will be at Leonia High School from June 10–June 12 to take senior portraits for the Class of 2027. Additional information regarding scheduling and appointment times is attached.
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Are you ready to explore across the pond? Sign-ups are officially open for our upcoming 9-day educational tour to England, departing April 9–17, 2027!
On this incredible journey, students and travelers will get to experience historic highlights including Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, Stonehenge, and Shakespeare’s birthplace.
Key Details:
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Trip Dates: April 9 – April 17, 2027
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Registration Deadline: June 18, 2026
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Risk-Free Enrollment: Secure your spot today for a deposit of just $50!
How to Sign Up: You can review the full itinerary, see what's included, and register online at explorica.com/Kelty-4529 using Tour Center ID Kelty-4529.
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Senior Week officially kicked off for the Class of 2026 with two memorable days filled with celebration, reflection, and fun.
Thursday began with our annual Next Step Photo, where seniors proudly represented their plans after graduation, whether attending college, entering the workforce, joining the military, or pursuing other exciting opportunities. Students then attended our annual Pre-Prom Assembly, sponsored by the Edgewater Drug Alliance. As part of this tradition, seniors heard Matthew Maher's powerful "I'm That Guy" presentation, which encourages students to make responsible decisions and consider the lasting impact of their choices.
The celebration continued with the annual Pre-Prom Event, sponsored by the Leonia High School Home & School Association, followed by an unforgettable evening at Prom at Old Tappan Manor.
On Friday, seniors gathered for the always-popular Lavish Breakfast and Yearbook Signing, giving classmates an opportunity to celebrate friendships and share memories from their time at LHS. The festivities concluded with a Pool Party at the Leonia Swim Club, where students enjoyed pizza and ice cream, generously sponsored by the LHS Home & School Association.
Thank you to the Edgewater Drug Alliance, the Leonia High School Home & School Association, and all of the staff members who helped make the start of Senior Week such a special experience for the Class of 2026. We look forward to a fantastic week ahead as we continue celebrating our seniors and their many accomplishments.
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The Leonia High School Pep Band proudly joined American Legion Post #1 in the annual Memorial Day Parade, helping our community honor and remember the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country.
Through their music and participation, our student musicians contributed to a meaningful tradition that brings the community together in remembrance and gratitude. Thank you to our Pep Band members and advisors for representing Leonia High School with pride while paying tribute to our nation's fallen heroes.
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Students in Introduction to Economics recently traveled to New York City for a firsthand look at the institutions that help shape our nation’s economy and financial system.
The group visited the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, which serves New York, Connecticut, Puerto Rico, and Northern New Jersey. During their visit, students toured the Federal Reserve Museum and explored the famous underground gold vault, which houses hundreds of billions of dollars in gold belonging to countries from around the world.
The trip also included visits to several historic and financial landmarks. Students stopped at Federal Hall, the site where George Washington was inaugurated as the first President of the United States, and visited the iconic New York Stock Exchange, gaining a deeper understanding of both American history and the world of finance.
The experience brought classroom concepts to life and provided students with a unique opportunity to see economics in action.
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Congratulations to Chloe Park on being accepted into the prestigious 2026-2027 New Jersey All State Jazz Choir!
This outstanding achievement recognizes Chloe’s exceptional vocal talent, dedication, and commitment to musical excellence. Selection to the All State Jazz Choir places her among the top student vocalists in New Jersey and reflects the strength of Leonia High School’s outstanding music program.
We are incredibly proud of Chloe for this remarkable accomplishment and look forward to seeing her represent Leonia High School on the state stage next year. Congratulations, Chloe!
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A reminder for families: all students are required to use their district-issued Chromebooks while in school. Students should bring their Chromebooks to school every day, fully charged and ready for use. Please note that personal laptops or MacBooks may not be used during the school day.
If a student forgets their Chromebook at home, they will not be issued a loaner. Loaner devices are reserved only for students whose district-issued Chromebook is undergoing repair.
Additionally, to help maintain a focused learning environment:
- Cell phones, AirPods, and headphones may not be used during instructional time.
- Meta glasses and other smart glasses are not permitted at any time.
Thank you for partnering with us to ensure students are prepared and focused during the school day.
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- June 1 - Athletic Awards Dinner
- June 2 - Senior Awards Night
- June 3 - LHS Academies Graduation
- June 8 - National Business Honor Society (6PM)
- June 8 - Rho Kapp History Honor Society (6:45PM)
- June 9 - Art Honor Society (6PM)
- June 9 - Tri-M Music Honor Society (6:45PM)
- June 11 - National Honor Society (6PM)
- June 15 - LMAC Recital (6PM)
- June 16 - Pre-Exam Day
- June 17 - 22 - Final Exams
- June 25 Last Day of School
- June 25 - LHS Graduation (6PM)
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Students in Mrs. Batti’s and Mrs. Breyer’s Advanced Ceramics courses explored both sculpture and science through the creation of Chia Pets. After learning about the novelty item from the 1980s (and its catchy jingle), students chose an animal or creature to sculpt in clay. They analyzed how to build the animal while preserving the essential parts that allow the sculpture to grow: a hollow chamber for water and a textured surface for seeds to adhere to.
After the projects were fired in the kiln, they were submerged in water overnight. The next day, students applied a mixture of chia seeds and water to the grooved areas on each project. The creatures dried for a day, and then students filled the pets with water. Each pet was placed in its own plastic bag and sprayed with water to create a “greenhouse effect” to encourage growth.
The Chia Pets are in full bloom and on display in the showcases outside the art room.
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Congratulations to seniors Celeste Garzon and Isaac Mutumba who represented Leonia High School as this year's NJIC Sportsmanship Award recipients. Celeste and Isaac attended a luncheon today at Biagio's Terrace in Paramus where their accomplishments were acknowledged.
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The Leonia High School Home & School Association would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to our incredible Pre-Prom Committee for their hard work, creativity, and dedication in organizing this year's spectacular Pre-Prom event. Their efforts helped create a memorable experience for our students and families as they celebrated one of the most exciting traditions of the school year.
We would also like to express our sincere appreciation to our generous community sponsors whose support helped make this event such a tremendous success:
Buckley’s Drug Store, Movers 201, Hummus Elite of Englewood, Cafe DeLyon, Kindred Yoga, and 99 Percent Sports.
Thank you to everyone who contributed their time, talents, and resources. Your support continues to make the Leonia community such a special place for our students. We are grateful for your partnership and commitment to creating unforgettable experiences for our Lions!
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Click to access the 25-26 Modified Rotating Block (MRB) Schedule.
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If you haven’t already, take a minute to download the ParentSquare App to your phone. The app makes it easy to stay informed and engaged with what’s happening at Leonia High School. You’ll receive real-time notifications and have all school updates, newsletters, and event information right at your fingertips.
Search for ParentSquare in your app store and stay connected wherever you are!
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To learn more about our schools, follow us on:
100 Christie Heights Street
Leonia, NJ 07605
Phone: (201) 302-5200
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