It was an exciting week at LHS! Our sophomores and juniors participated in PSAT testing, and we welcomed prospective students and families to our annual Open House. Thank you to the students and staff who helped showcase the many opportunities LHS has to offer. We closed out the week with Halloween fun as students and staff showed off their creative costumes!

We also have plenty to celebrate in athletics and music, from championship success to outstanding selections for honor choirs and jazz ensembles. Be sure to visit those sections of this week’s Roar Report to read about our students’ accomplishments!

Next week is a short week. We will have a delayed opening on Tuesday, November 3, for teacher professional development, and school will be closed on Thursday, November 5, and Friday, November 6, for the Teachers’ Convention break. The first marking period ends on Wednesday, November 4.

As you enjoy the Halloween weekend, remember to turn your clocks back one hour on Saturday night as daylight saving time ends. Have a safe and happy Halloween!

Go Lions!

Chuck Kalender

Last night, Leonia High School welcomed seventh and eighth grade students and their families to our annual Open House! The evening began with a presentation by Principal Mr. Kalender, followed by an opportunity to explore the courses, clubs, activities, and athletic programs that make LHS such a special place.

With more than 55 clubs and activities and 20 sports represented, our future Lions got a firsthand look at the many ways to learn, get involved, and find their place at LHS. Thank you to our students, staff, and families for making it a wonderful evening!

Today, members of our DECA leadership team attended New Jersey DECA’s Chapter Officer Leadership Training (COLT) Conference at Kean University in Union, New Jersey. The conference brought together chapter leaders from across the state to develop leadership skills, exchange ideas, and connect with other DECA members.

The day began with breakfast and a welcome session led by New Jersey DECA’s state officers, followed by interactive activities. Students were divided into groups based on the numbers on our name tags, giving us an opportunity to meet students from other schools and collaborate on a group activity.

They then participated in breakout workshops, with options covering social media marketing, chapter management, résumé building, entrepreneurship, competition preparation, and teamwork. These sessions offered practical strategies for becoming stronger leaders and supporting our chapters. The day concluded with lunch and networking, allowing us to continue connecting with other student leaders. The DECA officers left with new connections and ideas to bring back to the Leonia DECA chapter.

Check out the social media video our Leonia DECA leaders created in collaboration with DECA leaders from Jefferson Township High School!

For the first time in Leonia High School history, two students, Lena Frost and Nate Fabella, have been selected for The College of New Jersey’s 2026 Honors Jazz Ensembles. They will join more than 175 accomplished high school musicians from across the region for advanced rehearsals, sectionals, and collaborative performances.

The program takes place November 15th and 22nd on TCNJ’s campus in Ewing and concludes with a concert at the Kendall Mainstage Theater.

This milestone reflects our students’ talent and dedication and is a proud moment for Leonia High School’s music program. Congratulations to both students and LHS Band Director Tony Penn, whose guidance and commitment help our musicians grow and achieve!

LHS was Pretty in Pink on October 22 as students and teachers wore pink to raise breast cancer awareness and show their support! Sponsored by the LHS Ribbon Club, the day featured pink ribbons on every locker, ribbons on our Lions, and decorations throughout the building.

The celebration wrapped up with a Ribbon Club bake sale featuring delicious pink treats. Thank you to the Ribbon Club and everyone who participated for bringing our school community together for an important cause!

AP Environmental Science students took their learning outdoors to investigate how trees help store carbon! As part of their study of ecosystem services, students explored carbon sequestration, the process of capturing atmospheric carbon dioxide and storing carbon in organic matter.

Students measured the height and circumference of trees outside Leonia High School, then identified and researched the species to estimate how much carbon each tree stores annually and has accumulated over its lifetime. This hands-on investigation connected classroom concepts to the important environmental benefits of trees right on our campus!

Last week, sophomore students had the special privilege of welcoming Mr. Roger Williams from the National Society, Sons of the American Revolution for an engaging guest presentation as part of our celebrations honoring the semiquincentennial (250th anniversary) of the United States.

A passionate historical presenter and advocate for revolutionary history, Mr. Williams brought early American history to life for our class. Representing the Sons of the American Revolution, an organization dedicated to preserving the history and ideals of the American Revolution. His presentation highlighted the foundational principles of liberty, sacrifice, and civic responsibility that shaped the nation, giving students a memorable connection to the visionaries who forged American history 250 years ago.

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.

The LHS soccer team earned a 4-1 victory over New Milford on Monday in a game supporting Breast Cancer Awareness. Congratulations to our players for bringing energy, teamwork, and heart to the field while raising awareness for an important cause!