Message from the Principal, Dr. Jimenez
Message from the Principal, Dr. Jimenez
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Welcome to the 2026-2027 school year at Leal Elementary School!
As Principal of Frank C. Leal Elementary Magnet School of Performing Arts, I am excited to welcome both returning and new families to another year of learning, creativity, and community. It is truly an honor to serve such an incredible school community, and I look forward to partnering with you to make this a successful and memorable year for every student.
At Leal Elementary, we remain committed to providing a safe, engaging, and innovative learning environment where students are encouraged to grow academically, socially, emotionally, and artistically. As a Performing Arts Magnet School, we believe that creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking are essential skills that prepare our students to thrive in the future and become the leaders of tomorrow.
To help your family prepare for the new school year, I encourage you to explore the resources and links provided on our Back-to-School website. Here you will find important information regarding school procedures, schedules, programs, and upcoming events designed to support a smooth transition back to school.
I would especially like to welcome our new families to the Leal community. We invite you to join our administrative team at our New Parent Orientation on August 10, 2026. This will be a wonderful opportunity to learn more about our school, meet fellow families, and ask questions as you begin your Leal journey.
This summer has been a busy and exciting one at Leal! Here is just a peek of what to expect:
🏫 Campus Modernization Reaches Major Milestones
We are thrilled to welcome students back to a transformed campus as our multi-year modernization project nears completion. Families will immediately notice significant improvements designed to enhance teaching, learning, and student experiences throughout our school.
🎭 New Leal Theatre Performing Arts Center Opening This Fall
One of the most anticipated additions to our campus is the new Leal Theatre Performing Arts Center. This beautiful new space will provide expanded opportunities for student performances, assemblies, productions, and community events. We look forward to celebrating its official opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony this fall.
🍎 Modern Nutrition Services Building Coming This Winter
Construction continues on our new Nutrition Services facility, which is expected to open this winter. The new building will feature a food preparation area and a modern indoor buffet-style lunch service, creating an enhanced eating experience for our students.
🏫 New First Grade Classroom Buildings
Our former first-grade classrooms have been replaced with newly constructed portable classroom buildings designed to provide larger, modern learning spaces for our students. These upgraded classrooms offer improved functionality, flexibility, and comfort to support instruction, technology, and collaboration.
📘Every Learning Space Upgraded
We are excited to share that all classrooms will be ready for the start of the school year, bringing every instructional space on campus up to the same high standard. Students and staff will benefit from updated floors, walls, ceilings, furniture, storage solutions, and digital TV screen technology for instructional delivery. For the first time, every classroom and instructional space on campus will provide a modernized learning environment.
🎭 Expanding Opportunities in the Arts
As a Magnet School of Performing Arts, Leal continues to expand opportunities for students to explore their talents and creativity.
Students participate in theatre instruction on a weekly basis during the school day and have opportunities to engage in a variety of performing and visual arts experiences throughout the year, including:
• LEAP after-school musical productions
• Choir program
• Dance and drill team program
• Digital arts instruction
• Visual and performing arts integration across the curriculum
• Student performances, showcases, and special events
These programs help students build confidence, develop collaboration skills, strengthen communication, and discover passions that extend beyond the classroom.
🏫Growing Together
Leal continues to be the largest elementary school in ABC Unified School District, serving nearly 780 students and families. Our school reflects the strength of our community, the dedication of our staff, and the exceptional educational experiences we provide. We are proud of what we have built together and excited for what lies ahead.
🤝 Family Partnerships Matter
One of the greatest strengths of Leal is our partnership between home and school. We encourage (and expect) families to stay involved through PTA, LEAP Foundation, School Site Council, ELAC, volunteer opportunities, family events, and school performances. Together, we create meaningful experiences that enrich our students' educational journey and strengthen our school community.
As we begin this new school year, I am filled with excitement and optimism. With new facilities, expanded arts opportunities, dedicated staff, excellent teachers, and supportive families, the future is brighter than ever for our Leal Lions.
Thank you for entrusting us with your children. Together, we will make the 2026-2027 school year an extraordinary one.
With Lion Pride,
Dr. Jimenez
Principal
Please sign-on to Parent Square: https://www.parentsquare.com/signin
We will be using this communication system to post information, send emails, texts, and phone calls. You can set up your preferences on this app. Be sure your information is up-to-date on Aeries.
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Calendar items
Calendar items
Leal at-a-glance WEB master for current year.pdfDates to Remember...
Dates to Remember...
AUGUST 2026
AUGUST 2026
Office Re-Opens to Public
Aug 3rd Hours: 7:15-3:30
Welcome NEW TO LEAL Parent Meeting with Dr. Jimenez, Principal & Ms. Flaming, Assistant Principal
Aug 10th at 4PM @ Leal Theatre
First Day of School
Aug 12th
TK-K: 7:45AM - 12:35PM (From 8/12-9/11)
1st - 6th Grade: 7:45AM - 1:42PM
Parents may escort students to class
Aug 12th, 13th & 14th - Morning drop off
Closed Campus Begins
Aug 17th - Gates will be locked right at 7:45AM
Leal Back to School NIght:
Aug 20th
TK-3rd: 6:30-7:15
4th-6th: 5:30-6:15
Elementary Parent Conferences
Oct 5, 2024 to October 9, 2024
Early Release at 12:40PM
Welcome NEW Parents!
Welcome NEW Parents!
Join Dr. Jimenez, Principal &
Ms. Flaming, Assistant Principal for a
Welcome NEW Parent Meeting.
Meet the principal and assistant principal,
and find out all we know about the start of school. This meeting is intended for new parents to Leal Elementary School
Aug 10th
4:00PM @ Leal Theatre
Leal family dinner night!
Leal family dinner night!
LEAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL FUNDRAISER
Date: Monday, August 10th
Time: 4pm to close
Location: Islands Cerritos
12751 Towne Center Dr • (562) 356-8905
Present this flyer to your server (or show it on your mobile device) and Islands will donate 20% of your food and beverage purchases back to Leal Elementary
School PTA.
Dine-In or Take-Out.
Order online at: www.islandsrestaurants.com
See you there!
Some teachers may also make special appearances!
Updates & Reminders for the Start of the School Year
Leal Handbook
Leal Handbook
The complete Leal Handbook with rules and procedures, may be accessed and downloaded here.
Included in this handbook are bell schedules, rules, procedures, and school-parent compact.
The ABC Unified School District has approved a dress code policy to provide a quality education in a safe and wholesome environment, free from disruption, and provide safety to and from school. You can read the detailed dress code policy here.
Use this link to ensure your child's emergency information is up to date.
You may also check back here Aug. 5th to see a tentative teacher assignment, after registration is complete and forms are authorized.
Click here for Parent Portal Instructions.
Please call or visit our office if you need assistance. Ensure you log on to validate the forms prior to the first day of school. Check your phone number and email to ensure you receive messages from the principal and the school.
Once ABCUSD has opened parent portal for authorizations, parents may view teacher assignments and room numbers. Leal Elementary will allow parents this access early in August. If your child's teacher is "unassigned," their enrollment may not be completely processed, or there may be a new teacher. If this happens, please check back periodically for updates. Click the document below for instructions.
*Please note, we will not be making any classroom changes, as classes have already been assigned and balanced.*
School Map
School Map
Use this school map to guide your child to the right location for class!
Teacher assignments and room numbers are available on Aries Parent Portal early August.
Parents: review the instructions for pick-up, no parking areas, and assigned gate dismissal.
We need your help to keep the campus and the streets safe.
Leal Map Public w:grades 24-25.pdfLEAL IS A CLOSED CAMPUS
WITH A SINGLE POINT OF ENTRY- OUR MAIN GATE
We have specific *entry and exit protocols explained on this page, and our school handbook. Visitors must sign in to our visitor management system with a driver's license. Please see our handbook for more information.
We will allow parents to walk students on to campus on the first and second day of school. Our closed campus protocol will begin on Day 3 (On 4th day this year).
1st Days of School: Drop-off & Pick-up
First Days of TK & Kindergarten
FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL- We ask that our parents help our TK and Kinder students find their classroom line-up area in the kinder play yard. Once teachers pick-up the line, you will be allowed to walk them to their classroom to see where it is located. Teachers will give a brief (15 minute) introduction, and parents will be asked to leave afterwards.
SECOND & THIRD DAY OF SCHOOL- We invite parents to escort their TK and K student to the Kinder play yard to understand where their line-up area is located. Please do not line-up with children, so they begin to understand their responsibility.
FOURTH DAY OF SCHOOL- Parents may drop off their child using the drop-off lane, or walk students to the Kinder gate. Parents will not be allowed on campus, or onto the play yard, as closed campus will begin.
BACK TO SCHOOL: Teachers will be going into detail at our back-to-school presentation. Mark your calendar to be in attendance.
SHORTENED DAYS- During the first weeks of class, TK and kinder students will be released at 12:35PM. This allows our students to become accustomed to the school schedule. Also, our TK and Kinder teachers will be conducting assessments and conferences during these shortened days. Please be sure to sign up for an appointment with your child's teacher.
REGULAR DISMISSAL: TK/K Students will begin regular dismissal at 1:42 after the assessment weeks. Once regular dismissal begins, parents may pick up from the kinder play yard gate.
TK & K Assessment Days:
8/12-9/11:
7:45AM - 12:35PM
1st Days of School: TK-6th Grade DROP-OFF
7:15- Breakfast in Quad Area (Students Only, Parents are not allowed to eat with students). Students enter through the Main Gate#1.
7:15- Early Drop-Off (non-breakfast eaters) enter through Main Gate#1, gather in Quad
7:35- First Bell- Line-up Bell: Students enter campus and line up in blacktop areas:
TK &K: enter through the Kinder play yard gate, for the first 4 DAYS
1st-3rd- enter through the main gate #1
4th-6th- enter through Gate #3 near the parking lot
7:43- Warning Bell--
Students will line up according to grade and color dot (On day 1, there will be signs for each class/room by dots)
7:45- Tardy Bell (Students are tardy if they are not in line or in class at this bell). Students arriving after 7:45 enter through the office, parents must sign them in. Teachers will mark immediate tardies. Office staff will mark tardies after 10 minutes.
*Please review the school map with your child to be familiar with classroom location, drop-off, and pick-up locations.
1st Days of School @ PICK-UP for TK-6th
TK & K- Shortened Day Release
12:35PM (for first 4 weeks of school)
Pick up by Kinder Play Ground, Grass Area in front of school
Once regular dismissal begins, parents may pick up at the kinder yard
1st-6th Grade- Students will dismiss from assigned gates:
1st- Kinder Gate #4
2nd- Main Gate #1
3rd- Side Gate #2
4th-6th- West rolling Gate #3 near the visitor parking lot
*DRIVE-UP PICK-UP: Students will wait until your car comes to the driving lane. Please drive FORWARD. Do not hold up the line. Parents are not to exit the car. If your child needs assistance getting into the car, please park in an appropriate spot and walk them.
*Do not park on the street in front of staff parking, that is reserved for busses and shuttles only.
Please remember that for the children's safety, we require that all children be picked up within 10 minutes of dismissal. We have no supervision past this time. Children left unattended will be checked into the office, and parents must enter office to pick-up. There is no playing or "recess" on front lawn after school time.
After School Programs will meet at the lunch benches until they are familiar with classroom location. TK & K Students will be picked up outside of their class area. Parents may check-out students at main gate during pick-up times.
Leal Map Public w:grades 24-25.pdfSchool Site Council, PTA, LEAP Foundation
P.T.A & School Site Council – Thank you to our PTA for purchasing student planners for upper grades, and homework folders for lower grades, as well as providing for field trip expenses, and school programs… we couldn’t do it without you! Please join us at our monthly parent meetings to help plan for our Leal students!
LEAP Foundation- LEAP is a parent-led, volunteer organization that supports the visual and performing arts at Leal Elementary. This foundation funds programs such as the Fall AND Spring Musical, International Festival, Diwali, Lunar New Year, the school choir, the school band, and provides a pull-out program (classes during the school day) for the visual and performing arts (theater)! Our school is unique in needs, and the LEAP foundation allows for our amazing programs to exist.
The Leal School Site Council is the governing board that works in tandem with school administration and staff to craft the School Level Plan, action items, and budget each school year. It is important that all parent groups work together toward the common goals established in the school -level plan.
PBIS @ LEAL
TK-6th Bell Schedules
*Bell Schedule Master copy for WEB.pdfPage updated
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