Leonia Board of Education

At a Glance


FACTS ABOUT LEONIA SCHOOLS  

  • Enrollment is 1827. Of this, 319 are Edgewater students in grades 7-12.
  • The district has 200 classroom teachers and certified educational support personnel of which 89 have a Master’s Degree or higher.
  • The comparative cost per pupil in 2009-2010 was $13,312.
  • The 2010-2011 budget is $25,618,304. In 2011, the district will receive $2.7 million in state aid ($4 million in 2010.)
  • Average class size in all 3 schools is 21 students.
  • Leonia offers 16 different Special Education programs and services. It receives students from other districts to help support the program
  • The district has 8 English as Second Language teachers working with 120 students. This is not a bilingual program. All classes are taught in English.

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Facilities

Anna C. Scott Elementary School (Pre-K - 5)
Leonia Middle School (6-8)
Leonia High School (9-12)
LHS Special Services Annex

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School Policies

Each student is issued an Agenda at the beginning of the school year detailing all the policies for that school. Please refer to it if you are uncertain about any school issue. All Leonia schools have a Zero Tolerance Policy for drugs, alcohol and weapons, as well as for hazing and harassment of any kind. No smoking is allowed on school grounds. Cell phones and beepers must be off during school hours or may be subject to confiscation. No hats or head coverings are permitted.

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Registration

Children must register at the school they will be attending. In order to register a child, parents must provide a birth certificate, immunization/medical records, and recent transcripts. In addition, parents must provide proof of residency to the Board of Education Office at 570 Grand Avenue.

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School Board Meetings
The Leonia Board of Education holds public meetings twice a month, on the second and third Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m., in the ACS cafeteria (see web site for more details) (entrance on Broad Avenue). 

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Communications with the Public

The newsletter "Leonia School News" is mailed to all homes five times a year. Before the budget election, an "Annual Report" that outlines the budget and summarizes the school year is mailed to all homes. LMS and LHS mail home "Principal's Newsletters" on a regular basis. The ACS Home and School prepares a newsletter regarding ACS activities. Information on the district can be found on-line at www.leoniaschools.org.

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Emergency Closings

If school is cancelled due to inclement weather, check the leoniaschools website. In addition the following television and radio stations will broadcast our closings: Channel 4, Fox 5, Channel 7, New 12 New Jersey, Fios1, and 1010 WINS. This year we implemented an emergency call system whereby all parents and staff will be notified by recorded phone message of school closings and other emergencies.

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Home and School Association

Each school has an active Home and School Association. Members raise funds for special programs and trips, for teacher wish-list items, and for scholarships. Volunteers are always needed to help on field trips, to assist in the library, to perform at assemblies, to contribute to bake sales, to help at special events, to translate, to participate in career days, and much more. If you have a special talent you'd like to share, please contact the Home and School chair at your school or attend one of their scheduled meetings listed in this calendar.

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Physical Exams

Physical Examinations are required by the Board of Education before Kindergarten, 4th, 7th, and 10th grades. Students participating in sports need an annual physical. The Hepatitis B vaccine is required for all students in Grades 8-12.

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High School Graduation Requirements

  1. Satisfactory completion of 140 credits.
  2. Four years of English
    Four years of Physical Education and Health
    Three years of Social Studies
    Three years of Mathematics
    Three years of Science
    One year of World Language
    Classes of 2009, 2010 & 2011 must earn 5 credits of Fine Arts and 5 credits of Practical Arts.
  3. Passing all parts of the High School Proficiency Assessment Test  

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School Attendance

A child's success in the classroom depends on regular attendance in school. If a child will not be attending school, parents must call the school first thing in the morning. Each school has a different procedure so please check your child's Agenda. When the child returns, he/she must bring a note signed by the parent or guardian describing the reason for the absence.

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Crossing Guards

Crossing guards help children safely cross the streets at key intersections. Please encourage your child to cross only where there are guards on duty.

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Communications with the Staff

All staff members have an e-mail address for direct communication (www.leoniaschools.org). Special meetings can be arranged by calling the teacher or the Guidance Counselor.

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Special Services

A full-time Supervisor of Special Services oversees the district's Special Education programs. Education and related services are provided by 38 professional staff members: teachers, school psychologists, school social workers, learning consultants, speech language pathologists, occupational and physical therapists. The Child Study Team evaluates students based on presenting needs. An Individual Education Program (I.E.P.) is developed, implemented and monitored for students found eligible for services. Special instruction is provided for students with learning, emotional, developmental and/or physical disabilities. Resource Centers in each school provide replacement instruction and/or assistance with academic subjects and the development of organization and study skills. Self-contained classrooms at all three schools provide individualized instruction for students with learning and multiple disabilities.

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Academically Gifted Programs

At ACS, the Gifted and Talented teachers supplement classroom activities in grades K-2 with enrichment programs that focus on high-level critical thinking and problem solving skills. Students in grades 3-5, who are identified as gifted learners, can take part in a program for Gifted Learners outside the regular classroom. At the Middle School, students gifted in Art, Music, Science, Math, Social Studies and Language Arts can apply for Portfolio Programs, which are under the guidance of teacher specialists. At the High School, qualified students can take Advanced Placement and Honors courses in a number of subjects and qualify for college credits. High school students can also participate in the Middle College Program in conjunction with Fairleigh Dickinson University.

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English As A Second Language

Leonia is a diverse community with over 40 languages spoken in our homes. The ESL program serves students who are limited in their ability to speak English. ESL courses are available at each grade level and help students to develop and improve oral communication and reading and writing skills in English.

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Student Services

A student service staff that includes one counselor in the Elementary School, two at the Middle School and three at the High School supports the academic program. At ACS, the guidance counselor provides advice, support, and help in educational and personal development for the students at ACS. This is accomplished by meeting students in both the group setting and individual meetings where topics such as peer pressure, tolerance and study skills are discussed. The guidance counselor is also available as a resource to parents who may have questions or concerns about their child. At the middle school, counselors provide counseling services, both individual and group, monitor student achievement, maintain open lines of communication between parents and staff and oversee standardized testing. At the high school, the guidance counselors provide career and college counseling, as well as support services for youths at risk.

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Student Assistance Counselor

The district is served by one Substance Awareness Coordinator (SAC) who is trained to conduct prevention activities in the area of substance abuse and provide counseling and intervention as needed. The SAC acts as a resource person for staff members, serves as a member of the child study team and pupil assistance committee and works with students, parents and faculty in individual and group sessions.

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Pupil Action Committee

The Pupil Action Committee, made up of teachers, counselors and members of the Special Services Team, suggests strategies and actions for staff and parents to better support the educational needs of students that experience difficulty in reaching their full academic potential.

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Food Service

All three schools have a cafeteria and provide low cost, nutritionally balanced hot and cold breakfast and lunch service daily. Free or reduced price breakfast and lunch are available to students who qualify under state and federal programs. Applications are sent to parents at the beginning of each year. Students can also purchase salads, fruit, milk, cookies, deli sandwiches, hot dogs, juice or ice cream separately.

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Health Services

School nurses in each school conduct screenings for vision, hearing and scoliosis (curvature of the spine); maintain health records; record height and weight; conduct periodic lice checks; administer medications (if a note from the parent has been provided); and provide emergency care. The school nurse may also make referrals regarding possible emotional or physical difficulties.

If a child becomes ill during school, he/she will be sent to the nurse's office. If, in the opinion of the school nurse, the child is unable to remain in school, a parent will be contacted and asked to pick up his/her child to take him/her home.

A complete physical is required for children in kindergarten, fourth and seventh grades.

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After School Child Care

Leonia School Age Child Care (SACC), an organization run by an independent board, provides child care services for students in grades K-8 at Anna C. Scott School. Students can be dropped off as early as 7 a.m. and picked up no later than 6 p.m. SACC can be reached at 944-6715.

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After School Enrichment

The Board of Ed offers after-school enrichment courses at ACS for students in grades 2-5. A variety of courses will be offered for a fee of $80 per semester/per course.

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Summer Enrichment Program

A summer enrichment program is offered for four weeks each summer for elementary and middle school students. Information on the programs available is sent home in March. Courses are offered in two morning sessions at the air-conditioned ACS School. A nominal fee is charged for each course.

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School Day

Kindergarten

8:35 a.m. ­ 2:40 p.m.

Grades 1-5

8:35 a.m. ­ 2:45 p.m.

Grades 6-8

8:20 a.m. ­ 2:49 p.m.

Grades 9-12

7:50 a.m. ­ 2:58 p.m.


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