I hope your summer was filled with rest, joyful moments, and quality time with loved ones. As we prepare to open our doors this week, there is a wonderful energy building across our schools, and our entire district team is eager to welcome our students back.
A new school year brings fresh opportunities to learn, grow, and build meaningful connections. Our teachers, staff, and administrators have spent the summer preparing engaging classrooms, finalizing curriculum updates, and ensuring our facilities are safe, vibrant, and ready for learning. Whether your child is taking their very first steps into Kindergarten or entering their senior year, we are committed to making this year inspiring, supportive, and successful for every student.
As we kick off the year, here are a few quick district reminders to help your family prepare:
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Thursday, September 3, marks the first day of school for the 2026 - 2027 school year. Thursday (9/3) and Friday (9/4) are single session days for all students. Head to our Back to School Hub for key details and information.
- District Communication: Please keep an eye on ParentSquare and your email for school-specific notifications and building details from your principals.
- Cell Phone Policy Update (P&R 5516): As shared in recent messages, our updated "bell-to-bell" personal technology policy goes into effect this September. We appreciate your partnership in talking with your child at home about keeping personal devices powered off and stored out of sight during the school day.
- Family Resources: We encourage you to explore our district website, where we have highlighted key pages, handbook updates, and essential tools to help you navigate the year ahead.
Strong schools are built on strong partnerships between home and school. We value your trust, collaboration, and support as we work together to nurture our students' curiosity, confidence, and character.
On behalf of the Leonia Board of Education, our administration, and our incredible staff, welcome back and... Go Lions!
Xanthy Karamanos, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
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Today, we officially kicked off the 2026–2027 school year by welcoming back our incredible faculty and staff for Opening Day! The energy across the district was amazing as our staff gathered to reconnect, collaborate, and prepare for our students' return.
Thank you to our ACS, LMS, and LHS Home and School Associations for sponsoring our welcome back staff breakfast. It was a fantastic way for our team to reconnect and kick off the 2026-2027 school year together. We are deeply grateful for your continued partnership and support of our staff.
A very special thank you to the six incoming LHS Seniors (Mei Marshall, Allie Grandison, Renae Thakur, Leyla Mertoglu, Milo Skibola, and Mia Palmieri) who spoke in front of our faculty at convocation this morning. They shared heartfelt words about the lasting impact the Leonia school community has had on their growth and journey, setting a wonderful tone for our whole district team. We are so proud of their leadership and can't wait to see all of our students on Thursday!
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Congratulations to all three of our district schools for officially earning Bronze-level Certification through Sustainable Jersey for Schools!
This tremendous achievement reflects our district's growing commitment to sustainability, environmental stewardship, and green practice initiatives. A huge congratulations and thank you go out to our green team members, staff, and students whose hard work, coordination, and dedication made this recognition possible. Visit our website to learn more about our sustainability work.
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We are happy to finally share that major work is underway on the Leonia High School Science Wing. The space is transforming with new floors installed, a dedicated chemical storage closet complete with proper ventilation built out, and fresh paint currently being applied. Additionally, new interior drainage systems have been fully integrated to protect the facility and prevent future flooding. The furniture delivery will begin this week and installation will start as soon as possible. Our architects and contractors are confident that the space will be fully ready for students and staff on November 1.
Thank you for your ongoing patience. I know this process has taken significantly longer than any of us would have wanted, but I am hopeful that our new classrooms will be opening up to students and staff very soon.
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The ACS playground project has been delayed. Since this project is funded by a grant aimed at flood mitigation, we must complete all necessary drainage and flood-prevention work before any playground construction can begin.
We are currently waiting for the finalized plans for the flood mitigation phase. Once those plans are approved and the foundational work is completed, we will be able to move forward. In the meantime, the current playground remains in place and fully available for our students to use.
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We want all of our students to show up to school, every day, and we are committed to working with families to ensure that every student attends school regularly and achieves their full potential. We are here to help you. Strong partnerships between families and schools are essential for ensuring student success. We understand that there are many reasons why your student might miss school. Our goal is to set you up for success.
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Our website is a great hub for family resources. We’ve highlighted several key pages to get you started, and we invite you to explore the site for complete details and district updates.
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Calendar of Events: The district and each school has a "calendar of events" page to share the events happening across the district.
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Parent Square: To learn more about ParentSquare, review FAQ's, or learn tips and tricks to the platform, visit the ParentSquare page on our district website.
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Student Support & Programs: Learn more about the programs we offer by visiting our Student Support & Programs page.
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Safety & Security: Nothing matters more to us than the safety and well-being of your child. At Leonia Public Schools, we work every day to make sure our schools are safe, welcoming places where students can focus on learning and growing.
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Technology Help Desk: Visit our Tech Help Desk site for how to submit a technology help desk ticket.
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Food Services: For more information on our food services program, and for guides on how to set up your PaySchools account (including a video on how to set up meal restrictions)
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Family Resources: This page is designed to connect families with helpful tools, services, and supports available both within our schools and through trusted community organizations.
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Lunch Applications are now being processed via Genesis Parent Portal, please log into your account to complete and submit. You don't need to print out the application everything will be processed via the portal.
Visit our website for more information. Should you have any questions or need further assistance, please contact Amy Kopp at amy.kopp@leoniaschools.org.
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I want to emphasize our district's commitment to preventing Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying (HIB). While New Jersey sets strict legal guidelines defining HIB, our goal is simply to ensure every student feels safe, respected, and supported at school. The vast majority of our students do a wonderful job treating their peers with kindness, but when HIB violations do occur, they bring serious school consequences, mandatory family meetings, and difficult conversations. I strongly encourage you to talk with your child at home about treating others with dignity, standing up for their classmates, and avoiding any behavior that crosses the line into bullying.
District Anti-Bullying Coordinator: Jenna Gabrielle, M.A., jenna.gabrielle@leoniaschools.org
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When questions or concerns come up, we encourage parents, students, and community members to follow our Chain of Communication, now posted on our website. Starting with the right contact at the school level helps ensure you receive the quickest and most accurate response. Our goal is to work collaboratively with families to support students in a timely way.
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Students return to Leonia Public Schools this Thursday, September 3rd. We would like to remind motorists to use caution around the public schools and to stop for pedestrians in crosswalks. Motorists should also allow for extra time as traffic delays are frequent this time of year. Please make sure to park only in legal parking spots. Parking in prohibited spaces near intersections and crosswalks is dangerous as motorists’ visibility of children crossing can be obstructed.
The west side of Highland Street (directly in front of the Anna C Scott School) is a no parking zone. The west side of the street may be used to “drop off and go”. Please pull up as far as possible on Highland Street to drop off students. Parking or leaving your vehicle unattended is prohibited. If you need to walk a student to the school entrance, please find a legal parking spot on adjacent streets or municipal parking lots.
The traffic pattern at Leonia Middle School will remain the same as last year. Christie Heights Street from Kingsley Street to Broad Avenue will be one way eastbound during the school day. Turning west onto Christie Heights Street from Broad Avenue will be prohibited. Motorists are reminded that double parking to drop off and pick up students is illegal and dangerous.
The following intersections will continue to have school crossing guards and we encourage pedestrians to cross at these locations:
Broad Avenue at the intersections of Christie Heights Street, Hillside Avenue, Fort Lee Road and Crescent Avenue.
Grand Avenue at the intersections of Christie Heights Street and Fort Lee Road.
Glenwood Avenue at the intersections of Fort Lee Road and Crescent Avenue.
We wish all returning students and faculty a safe and successful school year!
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Starting this school year, state law requires a "bell-to-bell" restriction on personal devices. If your student brings a personal device to school, it must remain powered off and kept out of sight (in a backpack or locker) from morning arrival until final dismissal.
Key Highlights of Policy & Regulation 5516
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Types of Devices: The policy applies to smartphones, smartwatches, tablets, smart glasses, personal earbuds connected to personal devices, and any other internet-enabled communication device.
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Bell-to-Bell Coverage: Device restrictions apply throughout the entire school day on all school grounds, including instructional classes, passing periods between classes, study halls, assemblies, and lunch.
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School Buses: Per state regulation, students are also prohibited from using personal devices on school buses while traveling to and from school.
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Reaching Your Child: If you need to get an urgent message to your child during the day, please call the main office directly. Our staff will make sure they get the message right away. Students who need to reach home during the day can also do so through the main office.
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Off-Campus & Field Trips: Students with off-campus privileges (such as LHS open lunch or externships) may use their devices once off school grounds, but must turn them off and store them as soon as they return. Field trip device use will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis with prior approval by administration, and only when it directly enhances the educational experience.
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District Laptops & Digital Citizenship: This policy applies to personal devices. Students will continue to use district-issued devices and educational tools for learning. Digital Citizenship lessons aligned with state standards will continue to be integrated throughout the year.
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Medical Accommodations: Exceptions are honored for approved accommodations outlined in a student’s IEP, 504 Plan, language needs, or documented health plan.
Our primary goal is to implement this policy with complete clarity and consistency. Like any code of conduct violation, progressive disciplinary consequences will apply if a student does not meet expectations, as outlined in board policy and each building's student handbook.
For more information, click here to access our original Parent Square post. Please take a moment to talk through these changes with your child so they arrive on the first day ready to focus, engage, and connect. Thank you for your continued partnership as we navigate this transition together.
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We know that strong family partnerships are key to student success. Whether you’re seeking food assistance, mental health services, or community programs, you’ll find quick links and hotlines here. All of these resources are confidential and many are free of cost.
📞 Key Hotlines & Support Services
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988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 anytime.
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Child Abuse: Call 1-877-652-2873.
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PerformCare NJ Parent Crisis Hotline: 1-877-652-7624 – Free, in-home mental health support for children.
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2nd Floor Teen Support Line: 1-888-222-2228 – 24/7 access for students to speak with a counselor.
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Center for Hope & Safety: 201-944-9600 – Domestic violence support services.
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NJ 2-1-1: Dial 211 or 1-877-652-1148 – Connects families with local services and assistance programs.
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Center for Food Action: 201-569-1804 – Food distribution by appointment (Englewood).
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CarePlus NJ: 201-986-5000 – Counseling and wellness services.
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New Bridge Medical Center: 1-800-730-2762 – Counseling and inpatient care.
If you have questions or need help navigating these supports, please reach out to your child’s school. We are here to help families feel informed, supported, and empowered, every step of the way.
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New "Leading Leonia" episodes are now available!
You can tune in, catch up on episodes, and subscribe so you never miss an update on our main streaming platforms:
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