To Our School Community:
As the final bells ring and our hallways quiet down for the summer, I want to take a moment to reflect on the 2025 - 2026 school year with genuine gratitude. This has been a fantastic year of growth and achievement across our district, and none of it would have been possible without your support and partnership.
June is a beautiful whirlwind of milestones. From our youngest learners promoting to new grade levels to our 8th graders moving up and our high school seniors graduating, we are so proud of every student stepping into their next chapter with confidence. As you read through this final newsletter of the year, I hope you feel that strong sense of "Lion Pride" that defines our school community.
Inside this update, you will find:
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Around Our Schools: Recapping our major events and celebrations.
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A Pride Worth Celebrating: Honoring our graduates and moving-up classes for an incredible year.
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News You Can Use: Key updates on the Upcoming NJ Cell Phone Ban Law, New E-Bike Requirements, Swim Safety, and Litter-Free Leonia.
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Roaring Achievements: Celebrating student awards from the past month.
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Lions Caught Learning: Spotlights daily classroom engagement.
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Lions in the Wild: Highlights from recent field trips.
- Tech Tips & Updates
- In Case You Missed It
I wish you all a wonderful, safe, and restful summer. Enjoy the sunshine, make great memories, and return refreshed for another fantastic year ahead.
See you in September,
Dr. Xanthy Karamanos
Proud Superintendent of Schools
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Our community’s incredible generosity was on full display at the annual Senior Scholarship Awards Night. Thanks to the unmatched support of local businesses, families, and organizations, more than $70,000 in scholarships was distributed to the Class of 2026!
We extend our deepest gratitude to our wonderful Leonia and Edgewater community members whose contributions directly invest in our students' next chapters. Congratulations to all of our deserving recipients- your hard work has truly paid off!
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Our End-of-Year TRACK Peace Rally was a joyful celebration of the positive school culture our students have helped build throughout the year. Together, we recognized the importance of kindness, respect, responsibility, and making choices that help everyone feel safe, valued, and included.
A special thank you to our students for embracing the TRACK expectations each day and helping create a school community where everyone can learn and grow. Thank you to our staff for their ongoing support and encouragement, and to our families for partnering with us in fostering these important values.
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A huge congratulations to the graduates of Eleanor Van Gelder School in Edgewater!
As these students transition to Leonia Middle School as incoming seventh graders, we are so excited to welcome them and their families to our community. Moving to a new school is a wonderful milestone, and we look forward to watching them learn, grow, and thrive in the years ahead.
Enjoy a wonderful summer, and we will see you all in September.
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This week, our graduating seniors returned to their elementary roots for one final "clap out" in their caps and gowns.
Walking the halls of their former schools, our seniors were greeted by cheering teachers and enthusiastic younger students.
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This heartfelt tradition celebrates our graduates' journeys while inspiring the next generation of Leonia and Edgewater children.
Seeing our seniors stand tall where their education began serves as a powerful reminder of how far they have come and their bright futures ahead.
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In the upcoming episodes of Leading Leonia, Dr. Karamanos sits down with two key members of our school community. First, she welcomes LHS music educator and Music Academy Advocate Mr. Kerry Dunn, who shares his unique journey from a local piano student to a professional musical theater performer, while offering an inside look at the Leonia High School Music Academy's rigorous four-year cohort model, college-level theory, and real-world senior externships. Then, in the next episode, the conversation shifts to LHS Vice Principal Mr. Servis to explore the vital role of resilience in education, drawing on his background as a school psychologist, coach, and administrator to discuss how we can best prepare students for life's challenges.
Stay connected all summer long! New episodes are coming your way through July and August. Tune in, catch up on past conversations, and subscribe on our main streaming platforms so you never miss a beat.
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To our incredible graduates: Your hard work, resilience, and dedication have officially paid off! You have left an unforgettable mark on our classrooms, fields, and stages, and the entire district could not be prouder of everything you have accomplished.
As you step out into your next big chapter, remember that you will always have a home here in Leonia. Go out there, stay curious, and continue to make a difference.
Wishing the entire Class of 2026 a bright, happy, and successful future. You did it!
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A huge congratulations to our 8th graders as they officially graduate from Leonia Middle School! We are incredibly proud of all the hard work, growth, and resilience these students have shown throughout their middle school years.
This moving-up milestone marks an exciting transition as they prepare to step into high school this fall. Enjoy the summer break, and get ready to bring that incredible Lion pride to LHS in September!
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Congratulations to our wonderful 4th graders on their Moving Up Ceremony! This milestone marks the end of their elementary years and the beginning of an exciting new chapter as they head to Leonia Middle School as incoming 5th graders this fall.
We are so proud of the leadership, kindness, and hard work these students have shown. Have a fantastic summer, and get ready for all the amazing adventures waiting for you at LMS!
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What a joyful week of Moving Up ceremonies for our youngest learners!
Our PreK students delighted families as they “cooked up” something truly special during their musical performance, showcasing their creativity, confidence, and growing skills in a fun and imaginative way.
Our Kindergarten students were just as “sweet” in their cookie-themed musical, bringing energy, smiles, and plenty of charm to the stage. They truly proved to be the perfect recipe for celebration!
We are so proud of all of our PreK and Kindergarten students for their hard work, enthusiasm, and courage to shine in front of an audience. What a delicious way to celebrate all they’ve accomplished this year!
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In January, Governor Murphy officially signed legislation requiring New Jersey public schools to adopt "bell-to-bell" policies that restrict personal electronic devices during the school day. The goal is to strengthen academic outcomes, improve student well-being, and create a safer, more engaged school environment that supports learning, face-to-face social connection, and success for all students.
Beginning in September 2026, all personal student electronic devices, including, but not limited to, cell phones, smartwatches, smart glasses, headphones, and wireless earbuds, must be turned off and stored away.
The use of personal internet-enabled devices is prohibited from the moment students enter our buildings until dismissal. Devices shall not be used anywhere in the school buildings, including classrooms, hallways, stairwells, offices, or restrooms. We will continue to provide robust access to district-issued devices and educational technology when it supports instruction.
More specific information regarding building-level routines, storage, accommodations, and how you can contact your child during the school day will be shared directly by your building administrators throughout the summer.
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We love seeing Lion Pride in action! This spring, LMS 7th grader Benjamin Kim took the initiative to address litter along Broad Avenue. After presenting his idea to the Mayor and Council in April, he officially launched Litter Free Leonia.
What started as a solo project has quickly grown into a major team effort. Benjamin now coordinates a core group of student officers and over 20 volunteers, mostly fellow LMS 7th graders, who meet weekly to beautify our town. Seeing our students display this level of civic responsibility, leadership, and teamwork is truly inspiring.
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As we dive into summer and head to the pools, beaches, and lakes, please keep safety top of mind. Local water safety experts remind us that drowning remains a leading cause of accidental death among children in New Jersey.
Out of a desire to protect our local youth, a proud district alumnus shared this educational resource with us to help prepare our kids for the water. We want all of our families to have an amazing summer break, so please remember to stay alert, supervise children closely, and always practice smart water safety to ensure a safe and happy season for everyone!
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On June 4th, middle schools from throughout Bergen County attended the annual Brain Busters tournament at Ramapo College.
Following a dominant preliminary performance, Leonia was seeded 1st out of 56 teams heading into the playoffs. At the conclusion of the competition, LMS captured a phenomenal 3rd place finish in the county. Congratulations to our brilliant student competitors on this outstanding academic achievement!
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I'm happy to announce that four LMS students won awards at IAC's Middle School National Championships in Orlando, FL, over Memorial Day Weekend!
Gus Przybilla (6th grade): Quarterfinalist, National Geography Bee; Semifinalist, US Geography Bee; Semifinalist, National Mathematics Bee; Semifinalist, National Science Bee
Mitch Thompson (5th grade): Quarterfinalist, National Geography Bee
Orion Bernal (7th grade): Quarterfinalist, National Geography Bee; Semifinalist, National History Bee
Benjamin Kim (7th grade): Quarterfinalist, National History Bee
Congratulations to our students and staff for representing Leonia so well!
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On June 1st, the Leonia High School athletic community gathered at the Fiesta in Wood-Ridge for our annual Sports Awards Banquet. It was a spectacular night celebrating the hard work, resilience, and outstanding achievements of our student-athletes, coaching staffs, and the communities of Leonia and Edgewater.
🏆 Pinnacle Senior Awards
Two of our exceptional seniors took home the highest individual athletic honors of the night for their overall career contributions to Leonia sports:
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The Springer/Grassini Award (Most All-Around Senior Female Athlete): Angelica Do
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The Wierenga Award (Most All-Around Senior Male Athlete): Gabe Jang
🎓 Academic & Athletic Excellence (Tim Cullen Maroon & Gray Awards)
Demonstrating that our athletes excel just as much in the classroom as they do on the field, these students were recognized for balancing varsity sports while ranking at the top of their graduating class:
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Top 10 in Class: Aquila Bernal, Larum Ha, Josephine Meltzer, Maxwell Na, and Livia Xhako.
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Top 20 in Class: Rushell Bhavsar, Alexandra Brown, Taiyoung Cha, Chiara Dacosta, and Mina Kim.
🥇 Championship Teams
Our Coaches of the Year—Tim Ryan and Pete Shanno (Cross Country) and TJ Kroncke, Anthony Almeida, Xavier Gulley, and Christian Jenco (Wrestling)—led an incredible roster of championship-winning teams this year:
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Girls Cross Country: NJIC Colonial Division Champions, Bergen County Group C Champions, North 1 Group 2 State Sectional Champions, and BCWCA Team of the Year!
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Boys Cross Country: NJIC Colonial Division Champions & North 1 Group 2 State Sectional Champions.
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Boys & Girls Swimming: NJIC Division/Conference Champions (Both Teams).
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Bowling: NJIC Patriot Division Champions.
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Wrestling: NJIC Colonial Division Champions.
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Girls Flag Football: NJIC North Division Champions.
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Boys Track & Field: NJIC Patriot Division Champions.
🌟 Special Honors & Community Scholarships
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NJSIAA Scholar Athlete: Josephine Meltzer
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NJIC Sportsmanship Recipients: Celeste Garzon & Isaac Mutumba
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Lion’s Pride Award Winners: Tristin Bailey, Angelica Do, Celeste Garzon, and Larum Ha.
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Scholarship Winners: David Aleksic, Tristin Bailey, Calvin Daou, Angelica Do, Jason Kim, Elijah McLean, Isaac Mutumba, Israel Mutumba, and Nanette Rodriguez-Randall.
Congratulations to all of our incredible athletes, dedicated coaches, and thank you to our amazing Boosters and families for a memorable season! Go Lions! 🦁
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On June 3, Leonia High School proudly celebrated the graduation of 86 students from our six academy programs during the annual Academy Graduation Ceremony. The evening recognized the hard work, dedication, and achievements of students who have completed specialized programs of study while preparing for their next steps beyond high school.
A highlight of the evening was the keynote address delivered by LHS alumnus Jeremy Kaplan, owner of Ascend Athletics. Kaplan shared an inspiring message about the importance of hard work, perseverance, and pursuing your passions. Drawing from his own journey as a Leonia graduate and successful business owner, he encouraged students to embrace challenges, stay committed to their goals, and never lose sight of what motivates them.
Congratulations to all of our academy graduates. We are proud of your accomplishments and look forward to seeing all that you achieve in the future.
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The LHS Art Department is proud to present the LHS (Digital) Art Expo 2026. This year’s virtual exhibit features student work from 15 different art courses across LHS. You’ll find a wide variety of media - from drawings and photography to wood sculptures and pottery. Each piece highlights student creativity, critical thinking, experimentation, and originality.
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Fourth graders engaged in hands-on learning with solar and battery-powered kits, discovering how energy is converted from one form to another. Through experimentation, they strengthened their understanding of sustainable energy and real-world applications. |
Mayor Zieger visited our first-grade Library class and invited our ACS Student Council members to join the discussion. He shared what it means to be a leader, explained the responsibilities of a mayor, and thoughtfully answered students' many questions about public service and community leadership.
Students were especially interested to learn about Leonia's long-standing tradition that mayors typically serve no more than two terms, allowing new voices and fresh perspectives to step into leadership roles. As Mayor Zieger shared, "That is the fair thing to do."
Perhaps the most inspiring part of the visit was learning that Mayor Zieger's own leadership journey began right here at ACS when he ran for Student Council as a 4th grader! That experience sparked a passion for serving others and helping to improve the community—a passion that continues today.
Thank you, Mayor Zieger, for spending time with our students and inspiring the next generation of leaders!
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Second grade spent the day at HealthBarn discovering the importance of nutrition, wellness, and connecting with nature. Through interactive experiences and outdoor learning, students gained valuable knowledge while having plenty of fun along the way! |
Our fourth graders had a wonderful opportunity to hear directly from a panel of LMS fifth-grade students, who returned to ACS to share their experiences from their first year of middle school. The student panel offered valuable advice, helpful tips, and words of encouragement as our future Cubs begin thinking about their own transition to LMS.
Following the panel discussion, the fifth graders visited fourth-grade classrooms for smaller Q&A sessions, where students had the chance to ask questions and learn more about academics, activities, friendships, and daily life at the middle school. Thank you to our LMS student leaders for serving as such thoughtful ambassadors and role models—we appreciate their willingness to share their experiences and help our fourth graders feel excited and confident about the journey ahead!
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Our 9th Grade STEM Cohort took an unforgettable trip to the Liberty Science Center. They had the privilege of videoconferencing directly into a Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center Operating Room to observe a live kidney transplant surgery in real time. They had front-row seats to observe the teamwork, process, and technology required to perform this surgery. Students were able to speak directly with the medical team during the surgery to ask about the procedure, anatomy, surgical tools, and the process to become a medical professional. We are proud of how our freshman cohort represented our school with their thoughtful questions. |
LHS visual art and music students attended the 51st annual Bergen County Teen Arts Festival at Bergen Community College in Paramus. Students participated in a showcase of artwork from local high schools, as well as workshops and performances across the arts. Senior Raquel Oliver’s artwork, "Casting Call," was chosen for display at the Bergen County Courthouse. |
Our 8th grade students enjoyed an exciting and memorable trip to Philadelphia as part of their end-of-year experience. The day began with a visit to the Philadelphia Zoo, where students explored exhibits featuring animals from around the world. They then traveled to the National Constitution Center, gaining a deeper understanding of the founding principles of our nation and the enduring significance of the U.S. Constitution. Students also enjoyed hands-on learning at The Franklin Institute, where interactive exhibits sparked curiosity and creativity in the fields of science and technology. The day included a delicious lunch at Maggiano's Little Italy, providing an opportunity for students and staff to relax and reflect on a wonderful day together. It was a fitting celebration of our students' hard work and accomplishments as they prepare for the next chapter of their educational journey. |
As we close out an incredible school year, we want to thank all of our families for partnering with us to navigate the world of AI and digital citizenship. Now that summer is finally here, the best "tech tip" we can give is to actually power down.
While technology has been a wonderful tool for learning this year, summer is the perfect opportunity for students to give their brains a "digital detox" and reconnect with the physical world. Finding a healthy balance between screen time and green time ensures our students return in September refreshed, creative, and ready to learn.
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Students will be receiving an iPad for the upcoming school year. Students will be required to hand in their Chromebook and charger to their technology office. Any missing components will result in a fine and placed in Genesis. Students will need to pay the fine. iPads will not be distributed to students if they have any tech fines.
A schedule for pick up will come during the summer. The pick up window will be at the last week of August.
Have a great summer!
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We know families are busy and may not always be able to read updates right away. To easily find our previous posts, use the search bar at the top of your screen to type in a keyword, phrase, or the poster’s name to quickly locate what you need to. |
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👉 Click here to access the 2025-2026 district calendar.
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👉 Food Services: To access more information on our food services and programs, as well as a "how to" video section, please visit our Food Services page.
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👉 Tech Help: Click here for information on how to submit a tech help desk ticket.
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👉 HIB FAQ Page: To help families better understand Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying (HIB), including key terms, processes, and what to expect during investigations, visit our HIB page.
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👉 Student Safety and Well Being: Nothing matters more to us than the safety and well-being of your child. Visit our Safety Page to learn more about how we keep our schools secure and supportive.
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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.
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Bergen County Family Services: Click here for more information.
- Additional Bergen County Resources
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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