César Chávez Academy Middle School (CCAMS)

CCAMS has added an outdoor Social Emotional Learning (SEL) center to provide students with mental and physical health support. This addition includes a running court, mind game activities, physical activity centers and more to encourage students to stay active in their education.

César Chávez Academy Upper Elementary (CCAUE)

Over the summer, CCAUE completed several projects. Increasing security on campus with upgrades to the camera system and adding security gates to the parking lot. They gave new life to the hallways with fresh paint and added pictures from last school year.

Showcasing the beautification of their campus, students from the summer school program came together to design and paint a mural.

Discovery Academy (DA)

Discovery has done amazing things this summer. Updates include installing outside cameras, removing old fencing around the property, new signage, repaving the parking lot, cutting down dozens of trees, epoxying floors, switching out sinks, adding new partitions in the bathrooms and painting the halls. Their school is feeling brand new!

Showcasing one of their biggest updates to the right is their new cafeteria. Going from all brown and tan to a brightened cafeteria full of love, fun and sunshine. The walls welcome our students as well as all stakeholders, families, and staff.

Hope of Detroit Academy (HoDA)

HoDA was busy this summer getting new murals (above) and will continue with more throughout the school year as students collaborate with the artists to bring new art to their hallways.

In addition to the murals, every classroom will have newline interactive boards in the coming weeks. The gym and staircases received new ceiling insulation.

Academy for Business & Technology Middle/High School (ABT M/H)

ABT Middle/High had a makeover of their cafeteria. Representing the school in true gator fashion!

Academy for Business & Technology Elementary (ABTE)

ABTE underwent several renovations. The office, hallways and classrooms were painted and updated. Upgrading security was at the top of their list of updates adding a new security system and door alarms. New banners have been installed outside the building, with more on the way. Even their bus stops have new signs! They are also excited to implement their new "Leader in Me" program, providing a leadership and habit-building foundation for their students.

César Chávez Academy Lower Elementary (CCALE)

CCALE moved forward with exciting improvements to their school building this summer. Brand new playground equipment has been installed to enhance their student's playtime and promote physical activity. New class signs outside every classroom add vibrance and ease of navigation throughout the school. You'll also see updated signage in and around their building.

Special shoutout from CCALE school leader, Ms. Jaime, to thank their custodial staff: Mr. Galaviz, Mrs. Gutierrez and Mrs. Perez for all of their support in completing these projects. Thanks to special teachers, Mrs. Berman, Ms. Thomas, and Mrs. Reyes, for painting the basketball court and physical activities area. 

Mildred C. Wells Academy (MCWA)

MCWA increased school safety and security this summer with new cameras (fish eye and regular), fire extinguishers and AED's. They also installed a calming/sensory stations in each classroom and two brand new student lounge areas, one geared toward middle school and one for elementary. A fountain in the teacher's lounge provides a calming space for educators to decompress. They have added two 3d printers, new camera equipment, kitchen equipment and more.

Northridge Academy (NA)

Northridge was busy this summer. First their gym floor underwent a full renovation with new flooring and design proudly representing the Northridge crest in the middle. All classrooms were painted, as were the halls and doors. Morning meetings will be met with a larger projector and wider screen to make it easier for students to engage. New affirmations and sayings were hung around the building to encourage positive mindsets and a staff lounge was created for the team to have an alternative space outside the classroom.

Saginaw Preparatory Academy (SPA)

Kicking off the school year with a brand new roof, SPA was happy to eliminate leaks with the upcoming weather changes. They installed new bulletin boards in the halls and added poster-size pictures of some SPAtacular students and staff! Adding vinyl to the front entrance not only looks good but adds to the safety and security of the school. As you enter SPA, you will see the main office has received a bright new paint job and with a focus on continuing their positive and supportive culture in their team, a full body massage chair, word puzzles and stress balls were added to the staff lounge.

Victory Academy of Toledo (VAT)

Though many improvements were tackled this summer at VAT, their highlight is the front office expansion. Once completed, the new front office will provide a welcoming space for students, families, and visitors to start their day at Victory.

East Chicago Urban Enterprise Academy (ECUEA)

ECUEA freshened its wall by spotlighting teachers' past and present who have been initiated into the Leona Group Teacher Hall of Fame. Their students are also enjoying brand-new picnic tables for outdoor lunch options.

Teachers' Hall of Fame

Welcome back to another wonderful and productive school year. We are entering our eighth Teacher Hall of Fame Induction for the 2023-2024 school year, which allows The Leona Group to recognize all of the exceptional things teachers are doing in our schools. Without teachers who continue to strive for excellence, we would not be able to carry out our company's mission to provide a quality education for students and families. 

School leaders, assistant leaders and instructional coaches are asked to submit nominations for monthly teacher hall of fame candidates for the 2023-2024 school year. We will have a Primary Teacher Category for grades K-5 and a Secondary Teacher Category for grades 6-12. These nominations are based on school leaders' observations in their locations. It is up to them to honor a teacher that they feel embodies the spirit of their school's mission. Once the nomination is sent electronically to The Leona Group Department of Academic Achievement, the team reviews the nominees and bases their decision on who best embodies the spirit of The Leona Group and academic success.

Did you know? Library Card Sign-Up Month is a national campaign to emphasize the importance of library cards to a child’s education and to combat illiteracy. The campaign first started in 1987 as a response to then Secretary of Education, William Bennett, who stated: “Let’s have a campaign … Every child should obtain a library card and use it.”

The American Library Association (ALA) has great resources on its website for "September is Library Card Sign-Up Month", including posters, coloring pages, social media graphics, and a history page.