Leal Family Update 8/21/26
August 21, 2026
Dear Leal School Families,
Our first week of school with students was amazing! It was incredible to see our classrooms and school full of smiling students. As we start the school year, here is a copy of the Leal 26-27 Student Handbook that has many pieces of information. We are looking forward to our Leal Curriculum Night ( Hello Leal Families!.pdf) on Tuesday, September 1st. Thank you for your continued support!
The Leal Lions webstore is open now to place orders. The store will close on 9/8 and orders will be delivered to Leal by the end of September. Here is the link: https://dixon-graphics.com/leal_lions/shop/home
Go Leal Lions!
Craig Keer, Emily Reilly, and the Leal School Team.
Student Engagement Attendance Advocate:
Hi, My name Matt Turskey, students call me Mr. Matt and I am the Student Engagement Attendance Advocate (SEAA). This is my third year here at Leal working with our amazing students. I am also a parent of two girls who attend Urbana Schools, one here at Leal a 3rd grader and one at the 6th grade center. I am here to support students with attendance. I try to help with overcoming barriers they may have coming to school, along with providing a sense of belonging. I want all of our students and families to feel welcomed and supported. I would also like families to know that I am here to assist them any way I can. Please feel free to reach out to me with any questions or concerns at MTurskey@usd116.org or contact the main office at 217/384-3618.
Volunteering and Mentoring at Leal Elementary:
Lisa Mosley, Leal Elementary Mentor/Volunteer Coordinator lmosley@usd116.org 217-384-3618 (Leal office) Welcome back families & friends of Leal! We are excited to see you!
I wanted to share information regarding Urbana116 rules regarding visitors, observers, mentors, and volunteers. If you have any questions, please reach out to me at lmosley@usd116.org.
Last year, Leal was blessed with 251 people that volunteered over 3500 hours of their time through several different groups. These included Mentors who met with students once a week during the students lunch/recess. Tutors from America Reads America Counts; Vis-A-Vis; Education 201, and IREAD/ICOUNT programs assisted our students with coursework and homework. Parents, Community and PTA volunteers helped teachers with class projects, fieldtrips, and school events.
All visitors to classrooms and student support spaces (i.e. lunchroom) who intend to be in the building more than 3 times or 3 hours will need to complete a visitor application, background check and brief orientation with me. Orientations consist of the district's specific expectations, policies and procedures. We ask that you sign in the main office visitor book and circle if you are a parent, staff, volunteer, observer, tutor, and student teacher. Thank you! I look forward to seeing you.
Beginning of the Year Assessments:
Throughout this academic year, children in grades 1st-5th grade will have the opportunity to take a computer based test called Measures of Academic Progress (MAP). These tests will be administered in the areas of math and reading. Our purpose for administering these assessments is to determine your child’s instructional level, to plan instruction to meet his/her needs and to measure academic growth from year to year. NWEA MAP Assessments for 1st-5th Grade students in Reading & Math will be the week of August 31st. For our English/ Language Arts curriculum called CKLA, various assessments for K-5 Students will be the week of August 24th.
Leal PTA Information and Links:To keep up with daily announcements and PTA school activities, please join the Leal PTAFacebook group at https://www.facebook.com/LealSchoolPTA?mibextid=LQQJ4d or find more information at Leal PTA website: https://lealschoolpta.org Please scan the PTA QR code for volunteer opportunities in the PTA.
Follow Leal on Instagram!
We now have an Instagram account. We will use it to share information, advertise events and celebrate Leal members! You can search leallions116 or use this QR code to find our account.
Leal School Calendar of Events:
Aug. 24-Sep. 11 - Fall (NWEAMAP MClass) Beginning of Year Assessment Window
Aug. 27 - Leal Spiritwear Day
Aug. 28 - University, College, and Trades Spiritwear Day
Aug. 28 - Fire Drill - 1:30pm
Sep. 1 - Leal Curriculum Night - 5:30-6:30pm Hello Leal Families!.pdf
Sep. 7 - Labor Day - No School
Sep. 9 - PTA Mtg and Dinner 6pm
Oct. 12-16 Fall Break - No School