This week at Leonia High School gave us plenty to celebrate, from creative classroom projects and student achievements to opportunities to make connections across cultures.
Thursday night, we welcomed our newest Academy students at our Academy Induction Ceremony. It was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate their accomplishments and the possibilities ahead. As I shared with our students, induction is a starting point. We look forward to seeing them explore their interests, challenge themselves, and put their learning into action.
Friday, we welcomed 128 students and six staff members from Gimhae Foreign Language High School in South Korea for their third visit to LHS. Through cultural performances, student activities, school tours, and lunch together, students from both schools had the chance to learn about one another’s lives and experiences. We also signed a Memorandum of Understanding to support an ongoing relationship between our schools. These experiences remind us how much we can learn when we stay curious and open to different perspectives.
Throughout this newsletter, you will also see examples of that curiosity in our classrooms and activities, including creative work in French, new challenges in AP Cybersecurity, and an undefeated performance by two of our JV debaters. I am proud of our students for their willingness to try, learn, and grow, and grateful to the staff who help make these opportunities possible.
Go Lions!
Chuck Kalender
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Beginning Monday, October 12, Leonia High School will implement a new traffic pattern in the main parking lot on Christie Heights Street to improve safety for students and staff.
Please follow these new directions:
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Entrance: The rear lane near student parking will be the only entrance into the main parking lot. All other lanes will be closed to entering traffic.
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Exit: All vehicles must exit using the lane closest to the school, near visitor parking.
Student Drop-Off and Pick-Up
Parents and guardians should use the main circle at the Peace Garden entrance for student drop-off and pick-up. Dropping off students or waiting to pick them up in the main parking lot is not permitted.
Student drop-off is also not permitted in the Ray Avenue parking lot along the baseball fields. Families approaching from that side of the building should drop students off on Ray Avenue, where they can walk onto campus.
Thank you for following these procedures and helping keep our parking lots safe for students and staff. Please share this information with anyone who drives your student to or from school.
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Today, LHS welcomed 128 students and six staff members from Gimhae Foreign Language High School in South Korea for a day of cultural exchange, conversation, and connection!
The celebration began in the Little Theater with performances by the LHS Concert Choir, Jazz Band, and Orchestra. Our guests from Gimhae shared three performances featuring traditional Korean dance, K-pop dance, and Taekwondo.
Following the performances, students gathered in small groups for cultural exchange activities and tours of LHS. These activities offered students from both schools the opportunity to compare their experiences as high school students and learn about one another’s cultures and daily lives. Students then enjoyed lunch together in the cafeteria before wrapping up the visit with photos in front of the school.
This marked Gimhae’s third visit to LHS. To commemorate the occasion, the two schools signed a Memorandum of Understanding establishing an ongoing partnership to support continued cultural exchange and connections between our school communities.
Thank you to the students and staff from both schools who helped make this visit such a memorable experience!
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Last night, we proudly welcomed our newest students into the Leonia High School academies during our Academy Induction Ceremony. It was a special evening to celebrate their accomplishments alongside their families, teachers, and academy staff.
This induction marks the beginning of an exciting journey. Through their academies, students have opportunities to explore their interests, tackle challenging questions, collaborate with peers, and connect their classroom learning to the world beyond LHS. We encourage them to ask questions, consider different perspectives, and make the most of the experiences ahead.
Congratulations to all of our newest academy members! We look forward to seeing how you grow, what you discover, and the contributions you make to our school community and beyond.
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A few weeks ago, students in our first-year AP Cybersecurity course took on a new challenge: a Capture the Flag (CTF) competition hosted by Cyber.org! New to CTF competitions, our students approached the challenges with determination and curiosity, building their cybersecurity knowledge while practicing collaboration, patience, and research skills.
Pictured here proudly displaying their National Cyber Cup certificates, our students have plenty to celebrate. Congratulations to our AP Cybersecurity students for stepping up, embracing a new experience, and representing LHS!
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French III students put their language skills and creativity to work by designing brochures for a media library, or une médiathèque, to wrap up their technology unit.
Using French vocabulary and expressions learned in class, students included their library’s name, address, opening hours, electronic devices, and available media and services. They also identified free and paid services, complete with prices. Created on paper or cardboard, the brochures showcased students’ unique designs while demonstrating their ability to use French in a practical, real-world context.
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During today’s tours of LHS, students from Gimhae Foreign Language High School (GIMFL) stopped by Ms. Jordan’s Algebra II Honors class and joined in the Do Now activity! Our visitors were excited to participate, sharing a classroom experience with their LHS peers. It was a fun opportunity to see how math can connect students from different parts of the world! |
The students from GIMFL eagerly participated in the new LHS interactive question of the week in the LHS Media Center.
"You immediately forget the plot of the book you just finished, even if you loved the book."
Would you be "guilty" or "not guilty"?
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Congratulations to juniors Jooha Park and Talia Hanimov, who went undefeated at the JV Debate Tournament at Becton Regional High School! Competing in a field of 31 teams from seven schools, they were among the few teams to finish undefeated, helping give the Leonia Debate Team a strong start to the season.
The JV Team returns to competition on Tuesday, November 10, at Emerson High School, while the Varsity Team competes next on Thursday, October 22, at North Bergen High School. Go Lions!
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Consistent attendance and punctuality are two of the most important factors in a student’s success at LHS. At Leonia High School, absences and tardies are tracked closely, and students risk losing credit for courses if they exceed the allowed number of absences. Being on time to school and to every class is just as important, as it minimizes disruptions and helps students stay fully engaged in their learning. Regular attendance builds strong academic habits, keeps students connected to their teachers and peers, and ensures they don’t fall behind. We encourage families to schedule all appointments after school hours whenever possible to limit time away from class. Please take a few minutes to review the full attendance policy and guidelines in the Student Handbook so that expectations are clear for both students and parents. |
A reminder for families: All students are required to use their district-issued iPads while in school. Students should bring their iPad to school every day, fully charged and ready for use. Personal tablets, iPads, laptops, or MacBooks may not be used during the school day.
If a student forgets their district-issued iPad at home, a loaner device will not be issued. Loaner iPads are reserved only for students whose district-issued iPad is being repaired by the school.
Additionally, to help maintain a focused learning environment:
- Cell phones, AirPods, earbuds, and headphones are not permitted at any time.
- Meta glasses and other smart glasses are not permitted at any time.
Thank you for partnering with us to ensure that students come to school prepared, engaged, and ready to learn each day.
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- October 19 - LHS HSA Meeting
- October 22 - "Pretty in Pink" Day for Breast Cancer Awareness
- October 28 - LHS PSAT Day
- October 29 - LHS Open House for grades 7 & 8
- October 30 - Single Session Day
- November 3 - Delayed Opening for Students/Staff PD
- November 5/6 - NJEA Convention All Schools Closed
- November 12 - Academy Open House Grades 7/8
- November 13 - Homecoming Dance
- November 16 - LHS HSA Meeting 7PM
- November 19 - College Planning Night
- November 20 - Celebrating 250 Years: Through the Mists of Time-Washington's Retreat Reconsidered
- November 25 - Single Session Day
- November 26/27 - Thanksgiving Break All Schools Closed
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**All forms should be dropped off at Leonia High School
Registration is open for all winter athletic programs offered at Leonia High School
Boys Swimming (start date 11/16), Girls Swimming (start date 11/16), Bowling Co-Ed (start date 11/16), Boys Basketball (start date 11/23), Girls Basketball (start date 11/23), Boys Wrestling (start date 11/23), Girls Wrestling (start date 11/23)
2026-2027 Sports Physical Forms - Required if Participating in Athletics
If your LHS student plans to participate in any athletic programs for the 2026-2027 school year, the forms below must be completed before participating in any practice or game. Please make sure that all the necessary paperwork is submitted before the start date.
All the necessary forms are also available on the Leonia website under Athletics
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Come out and show your Lion Pride by supporting our LHS athletic teams! Click here to view the schedule and cheer on our Lions! |
Click to access the 26-27 Modified Rotating Block (MRB) Schedule. |
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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