Sharon Machrone

On June 18th, seventy Link scholars graduated from 8th grade and joined the cadre of over 3000 other Link alumni from the school’s previous 48 graduating classes. While we could not celebrate together in a traditional ceremony due to the COVID-19 crisis, we gathered in spirit through a virtual graduation ceremony, a pre-recorded graduation ceremony. (Click here to view the ceremony.) Link is proud of our new alumni, for all their accomplishments over the past four years. This year was a tough one – with distance learning for several months – but our scholars persevered and achieved.

Priot to the graduation date, Link delivered students’ caps and gowns to their homes along with some other special items to celebrate this milestone in our scholars’ lives – lawn signs, commenorate tee shirts, and more. Below you will see photos of some graduates that their parents kindly shared with Link.

Best wishes to the Class of 2020 as they continue on to high school. Once a Linker, always a Linker!

To honor Juneteenth, Link will close its offices tomorrow (Friday, June 19, 2020) so we can take some time to reflect on this important day, the history of slavery and racism in America, today’s movements for racial justice, and how we can actively support the work that is being done.

You are invited to visit the annual June Art Show, featuring art created by Link students throughout the school year in Mrs. Howard’s class. Since we couldn’t have the show in the building this year,  Mrs. Howard produced a lovely virtual art show to celebrate the work of our talented scholars.

Sit back and enjoy our students’ wonderful artwork!

Link’s Class of 2022 officially moved up to Link’s Upper House as 7th graders in virtual ceremony on Tuesday, June 16th. After an awards ceremony celebrating student achievements for the year, Link’s Student Government President and its Head of School welcomed the class as they “stepped up” into the Upper House. Congratulations, Class of 2022 on your accomplishments and best to you next year! Enjoy the ceremony in the video below.

Good evening, Link families. I have been deeply troubled by the horrific events in recent days, weeks and months that took the lives of Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and George Floyd, as well as the bias incident involving Christian Cooper that took place closer to home. My heart is heavy as we witness yet another series of atrocities, on top of great stress and anxiety around the current health crisis. As a human being and a school leader educating Black youth, I want to acknowledge what is taking place — hate crimes, police brutality, and bias; all motivated by racism and bigotry. I feel the weight of these murders and of the reckless disregard for life. I know that you and your children are suffering, that you are angry and dismayed, and that you are looking for justice. I stand in solidarity with you and our scholars and call out these injustices. Our children are struggling with their own emotions and reactions, trying to make sense of what they see and struggling to secure for themselves a future that is safe. I sent our students a message a little while ago and wanted to share it with you as well. Click here for the video.

We are calling for community circles to gather each grade level and urge every student to join us. Scholars are receiving invitations to Google Meet. I also invite you to join your child or children. We want to provide a safe space for our scholars to exercise their voice. We hope to see many of you and our scholars tomorrow or Monday, depending on the grade level. Our social workers, nurse, deans, Ms. Hester and I are all here to support our school community. Please reach out if we can provide anything specific.

Please remain safe and know that we all stand together for racial justice!

Peace,

Maria Pilar Paradiso

This is special week to honor our awesome and hard working teachers. In the best of times, they provide an excellent education for all of our Linkers.  In these trying times – a result of school building closure doe to COVID-19, they have gone above and beyond.

Within one day of the closure due to COVID-19, Link staff launched a robust distance learning program, and since then have continued to improve and expand instruction so that 100% of our scholars are engaged. At the same time they have remained in constant communication through video, email, and phone calls with their students and their families, not only about instruction, but also checking on their well-being during this unprecedented time. In addition, teachers are continuing to collaborate, just as they would at school, holding meetings, receiving instructional coaching, and participating in professional development sessions through videoconferencing.

Our teachers haven’t missed a beat in ensuring our scholars continue their excellent Link education. Their efforts have been Herculean!  And, so, we want to thank and honor them as heroes – for their tremendous efforts, their resiliency, and their ability to adapt to a new reality.