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Leyden’s Second Semester Family Conferences are tomorrow, Tuesday, March 24. All conferences will be held in-person from 5 - 7:30 p.m. and no advanced registration is needed. Families who attend will be provided the student’s current schedule upon arrival. Please reach out to the main offices at 847-451-3122 (West) or 847-451-3000 (East) for additional information.

Rendering of new entrance at East Leyden

Please pardon our dust! Over spring break, construction will begin on East Leyden’s main entrance and will continue throughout the remainder of the school year and into the summer. This project will enhance the safety of the entrance and provide an accessible ramp that complies with the Americans with Disability Act (ADA) and will help ensure our guests with mobility needs are supported.

With this in mind, the main entrance (entrance 4), will be closed during construction and all students and guests will be redirected to a temporary entrance to the south at Door 2. In addition to this entrance, students may continue to use Door 18 and 21 for morning entry. The construction project is scheduled for completion by the start of the 2026-27 school year.

On April 14, grade 9 students will start the day taking the Pre-ACT9 Secure and then continue in their regular classes the rest of the day. All other students will attend classes on their regular schedules. On April 15, grade 10 students will take the Pre-ACT10 Secure and grade 11 students will take the ACT. A grab and go lunch will be available, as will buses after the testing period. Students in grades 9 and 12, and students attending the LIFE HS and Transition Programs will not have school on April 15.

Incoming freshmen are invited to explore Leyden’s athletic programs at the Freshman Sports Academy, a three-day experience designed to introduce students to the many sports opportunities available at Leyden. The academy will take place May 26–28, with sessions held from 8:30–11:30 a.m. on the first two days at West Leyden and from 8:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. on the final day at East Leyden.

Participants will work alongside Leyden coaches and athletes, meet other incoming freshmen, and take part in team-building activities while learning more about Leyden’s athletic programs. The academy is free to attend, however, registration is required. Bus transportation will be provided from all Leyden-area middle schools. For more information, contact Coach Jeske at djeske@leyden212.org or Coach Gomez at lgomez@leyden212.org.

Registration

One Amazing Story: Penny, Leyden's support dog

This month’s One Amazing Story has officially gone to the dogs - in the very best way! For the first time ever, we’re featuring a four-legged colleague: Penny, Leyden’s beloved support dog. With a gentle nudge, a wagging tail, and an uncanny ability to know exactly who needs her most, Penny brings calm to busy hallways and comfort to students and staff alike. Penny’s impact is undeniable, and she reminds us that sometimes the most powerful support doesn’t come from the words we say, but rather, the things we do.

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Illinois State Scholar text on Blue background

Illinois names State Scholars

The following Seniors were named 2026 Illinois State Scholars based on their academic achievements:

East Leyden: Sophia Elizabeth Arguezo, Michal Bogdanowicz, Luna, Carro, Suri Cilany, Angel Cuevas, Anesa Amjad Dawud, Sophia Isabella Di Paola, Alison Lei Dimaranan, Olivia Dogic, Jesus Duran, Weronika Dziekonska, Rayane El Kalchy, Gianna Figueroa, Maya Flasza, Dominic Salvador Ganir, Jacob David Ganir, Valeria Michelle Inzurriaga, Emily Ellen Kafka, James Edward Kafka, Ayla Kousa, Wiktor Nikodem Kruszecki, Sookie Boon Lane, Jocelyn Carina Martinez, Edmond Meco, Jr. Narita Mae Guadalupe Nazareno, Nathaniel Jason Negron, Madison Ortiz, Ashley Moncerrath Osequera, Liliana Pantaleon, Olivia Prokop, Olivia Raczkowska, Lucciano Marcello Reeves, David Soto, Elijah Todd Winn, and Gabriela Zujko.

West Leyden: Oluwasubomi Akiola, Josh Aarmedilla, Elise Bertsche, Karen Chaidez, Marley Cano Gomez, Bradley Cortes Amial, Angel Del Rio, Daniel Domagalski, Patrick Giedrojc, Javier Gomez, Isabel Gonzalez, Jonathan Guerrero, Aliyah Herrera, Enrique Martinez, Alexis Matticks, Lizeth Montiel Romero, Michelle Nwauwa, Vanessa Nwauwa, Cordell Orcullo, Sebastian Orozco, Nathan George Pera, Natalia Robledo, Alyssa Rogers, Ivan Saucedo, Sarah Skorna, Jocelyn Urcino, and Piotr Wojtasik.

Leyden inducts 65 students into National Honor Society

East Leyden: Julio Andujar Araujo, Alicia Augustyn, Eric Cano, Sarah Cano, Victoria Dabrowska, Dev Desai, Emily Gacon, Julia Giannosa, Amelia Grynia, Lily Hammon, Angela Innocente, Izabella Jamrozek, Zuzanna Karyta, Peter Kitlas, Lillian Kovcaevich, Natalie Kus, Filip Kuzak, Julia Libera, Jack Martin, Edmond Meco, Eric Meco, Araceli Medico, Ibrahim Mohammad, Evelyn Olney, Olivia Radzik, Julio Rodriguez, Eian Roman, Katya Solis, Vanessa Strozak, Karolina Szlosek, Aisha Torres, Stephanie Torres and Joanna Woznica.

West Leyden: Isabela Acosta, Amy Carrera Rios, Inel Chavez, Jill Chy, Roxanna Cornejo, Alana Czajkowska, Christal Diego, David Dueñas, Efrain Ellahi, Samantha Fajardo, Zahara González, Leila Herrera, Gianna Lacap, Emily Martinez, Milena Mitka, Jayden Moreno Vidales, Jovanna Nessling, Sebastián Guadalupe Orozco, Damian Puga, Emma Rodriguez, Jenni Rodriguez, Krisnnette Rodriguez Mercado, Brooke Rogers, Cheyenne Rogers, Eric Ruelas, Eimy Ruiz, Nataly Salgado, Grianna Salguero, Brissa Saucedo, Emily Tilapa, Abigail Jamie Tise, and Mateusz Wojtasik.

Four Leyden students named Citizens of the Year

West 40 named four Leyden students as Citizens of the Year in their annual SCOTY Awards recognition program. Julio Andujar Araujo and Brianna Sandoval from East and Jonathan Guerrero and Lizeth Romero from West earned this prestigious distinction and were honored during a special ceremony on Thursday, March 19.

Transition Basketball athletes earn silver medal

On March 13, the Leyden Transition Basketball Team earned a silver medal in the state tournament. The team won their first game to advance to the championship round and finished second in the state after a hard-fought final game. Team members include Will Landy, Alex Juraszek, Jeffrey Pineda, Juan Lujan, Alex Mercado, Anthony Rodriguez, Sammy Termine, Dom LaRocca, Emma Rivera, and Aleyda Urcino. They are coached all season by Lorenz and DeGiulio, and were supported by coaches Cole, Wilson, and Bavone during the championship.

Dinner for a Cause: Support Leyden Orchesis

Looking for an easy dinner plan this Tuesday? Let Portillo’s handle the cooking while you support the talented dancers of the Leyden Orchesis Dance Troupe. On Tuesday, March 24, from 5:00–8:00 p.m., families can stop by the Portillo’s at 170 West North Avenue in Northlake and a portion of the proceeds will help support Orchesis performances and programs. Simply mention the “Leyden Orchesis fundraiser" when ordering in person or in the drive-thru, or use code PORTILLOS6 when ordering online or in the app. It’s a fun and delicious way to enjoy a family meal while supporting our student performers.