Check out some of the art produced by Link students in their third quarter art classes. Mrs. Howard, Link’s art teacher, compiled the students’ art into lovely presentations, often including student comments on their work. And all of this was accomplished through online art classes! Mrs. Howard prepared art supplies for the students each academic quarter and Link’s Jesuit Volunteers and other staff members delivered the supplies to students’ homes so they would be prepared for a wonderful art experience. Our talented students produced wondnderful work despite being homebound. Click here and enjoy the show!
8th Graders learn about RBG from Rutgers Law- Newark
The Rutgers Center for Gender, Sexuality, Law and Policy of Rutgers Law School- Newark piloted an online program honoring the legacy of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg with Link’s 8th grade history class last week. Graduates, professors, and law students produced an interactive program highlighting the life and career path of Justice Ginsberg and the impact of her work particularly in the area of gender equality. Students learned the history of equal rights and U.S. vs. Virginia, the court case in which Justice Ginsberg wrote the majority opinion, ensuring equal rights in education for women. They then spent time in a breakout room (small group) discussing equal rights and Justice Ginsberg’s legacy as well as playing a trivia game related to the program. Justice Ginsberg has a special connection to Newark as she was on the faculty of Rutgers Law School Newark. The Center plans to continue to offer this program to classrooms across the city of Newark, highlighting the pioneering work of Justice Ginsberg and the strong programs provided by Rutgers for those wishing to follow her path.
Click here for some photos from the program.
Link expands to include elementary school
Link Community Charter School, a leader in middle school since 1969, is excited to announce the launch of its Elementary School, with Kindergarten to open in the fall of 2021.
Here is the full press release:
LINK COMMUNITY CHARTER SCHOOL TO LAUNCH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PROGRAM IN FALL 2021
(Newark, NJ; March 8, 2021) Link Community Charter School, a leader in middle school education, announces that it will open an elementary school beginning with kindergarten in September 2021. Link was founded in 1969 as an independent school and converted to a public charter school in 2014. Serving students from Newark, Irvington, Orange, and East Orange, Link’s middle school focus has nurtured thousands of scholars and prepared them for competitive high schools across the city, state, and region. This more than 50-year legacy has provided outstanding student outcomes and a deep commitment to social justice and educational equity. With this expansion, Link is poised to use its middle school experience to launch elementary grade levels with a strong foundation for young scholars.
Link’s School Board Chair Brenda Daughtry expressed the entire board’s commitment to delivering the best educational program to its students, saying, “The school board and leadership have collectively sought to add the lower grades so we could start earlier in our work to prepare our scholars.” As a parent of a Link alumnus, she “recalls Link always feeling like home – a place where students are nurtured, and families are welcomed.”
The addition of kindergarten in September 2021 will be followed by adding grades 1 through 4 in subsequent years as students are promoted. The Kindergarten program will serve 50 students using a co-teaching model resulting in a low student-to-teacher ratio, which will provide robust connections and individualized support for its youngest scholars. The program will continue Link’s long-time commitment to a rigorous academic program, arts education, as well as personal enrichment and growth. In keeping with the middle school model, the Kindergarten program will offer an inclusive setting that will serve students with special needs and English language learners.
Maria Pilar Paradiso, Link’s Head of School, added, “The program will exude Link’s warm community and bring joyful learning to young scholars, nurturing their minds, bodies, and spirits. We are thrilled to open the doors to little ones! This expansion is the result of Link’s steadfast commitment to equity. We must start earlier to equip our youngest learners with the foundation they need for life-long success. Every child deserves a quality education and a real opportunity to thrive!”
About Link Community Charter School
Link began its journey as Project Link, an independent school with 7th and 8th grades in the Central Ward in 1969 in the aftermath of the Newark rebellion. In 2014, the school converted to a public charter school and added two grade levels, creating a four-year middle school, after moving into the Lincoln Park neighborhood at 23 Pennsylvania Avenue. The NJ Department of Education approved Link’s recent request for amendment to its charter to add an elementary school to create a K-8 continuum.
Link runs an independent enrollment process and lottery. Families can enroll online at www.linkschool.org and contact the school at admissions@linkschool.org to learn more.
Link parents enjoy virtual party!
Link parents enjoyed a fun virtual Vision Board Party with Link’s Dean of Students last Thursday evening. With Dean Ruth facilitating and using a variety of art supplies, some provided by Link, each participant fashioned a collage of images, pictures, and affirmations of their goals and dreams, designed to serve as a source of inspiration and motivation. #linkisfamily #linkachieves #linkcares #linkfamilies
Message from the Head of School
Maria Pilar Paradiso, Link' s head of school, sent the following message to all Link families today, in response to the events that took place in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday, January 6, 2021. You can read the letter here.
January 7, 2021
A MESSAGE FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL, Maria Pilar Paradiso
Yesterday, we saw extraordinary events unfold before us in our nation’s capital. Our democratic principles, our elected officials, and our government buildings were under siege. We watched terror, violence, and lawlessness unfold as a mob encroached upon and ultimately entered the Capitol. And, we continued to see a President espouse falsehoods and incite action with a reckless disregard for the wellbeing of the United States of America -- our people and our government.
Over the past four years and countless times before, we have witnessed horrific moments on the screen. And, just as we have each time before, today, we gathered as a school community in Morning Circle to reflect, share, and learn. As educators, we are called on to help our young scholars stay informed and critically evaluate what is happening in the world around them. We must process these moments, no matter how difficult they are. Never before has this been more important.
But as we engage in these important conversations, in the midst of so much uncertainty and loss, we are once again struck by how much we also learn from our scholars. Today was no different. Despite the many failings of this country, we see the very best in the young people who will be tomorrow’s leaders. Their insight and their values speak to the work that our families and our staff do each day to nurture their minds and spirits.
Our scholars, teachers, and staff share in our collective dismay and grief, but we are united in our hope for a better future for us ALL.
Should your children experience any ongoing concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out to our social worker, Ms. Dandie-Lashley, at sdandie@linkschool.org, for support.
Linkers “visit” the Yogi Berra Museum
Students learned about Negro League Baseball and Yogi Berra during their virtual field trip to the Yogi Berra Museum in Montclair this past week. They discovered that the Negro League was formed due to the racism inherent in Major League Baseball, and how that began to change, although slowly, with the hiring of Jackie Robinson out of the Negro League to the Major League Team - the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947. Students heard about Yogi Berra's rise as a catcher (number 8) for the NY Yankees and his friendship with Elston Howard, the first African American hired by the NY Yankees. The trip included a little tour of the museum, and then students had the chance to speak with a relative of Yogi Berra about the baseball great! A great history lesson!
