Link's student life activities are designed to help students achieve the intellectual, social, moral and academic foundation necessary for the student's overall development.
Link's core values-based education and student life activities inspire students at a very critical stage in their lives to choose their own positive path to personal, social and moral values, as well as become aware of ways to further develop and deepen themselves as future citizens and leaders of the world.
Electives
Through a comprehensive and varied electives program, Link students in grades 7 and 8 are discovering new areas of interest. Elective courses expose students to a variety of activities and interests outside the curriculum. Over the years Link has been able to offer elective in dance, glass art, pottery, drama, architecture, entrepreneurship, poetry, choir, chess, boatbuilding, photography, film making, mural creation, karate and much more. Elective classes are taught by Link faculty and outside instructors who specialize in the topic being presented.
Community Service
Link's community service is designed to enhance students' character development, and to further Link's mission of providing opportunities for students to "give back to others." By performing community service, students develop vital character, grow in social responsibility, and gain leadership skills. Community service, a graduation requirement, is performed by all Link students. Over time students have participated a number of pursuits such as letter writing to those serving in the Armed Services, making cards for senior citizens who live in a nursing home, assembling sandwiches for a soup kitchen, cleaning up Lincoln Park, and much more. Students and their families participate in student-organized projects such as canned food drives for Thanksgiving and toy drives for the year end holidays. It is Link's hope that community service activities engender in our students an enduring propensity to give back to others.
Athletics
Link offers opportunities to its 7th and 8th grade scholar-athletes to engage in organized sports through the NJ Charter School Athletic League, including girls' and boys' basketball, volleyball, and soccer. Link also has a cheerleading squad. Partner organizations have offered sports clinic periodically, including lacross, golf, and soccer for other middle school grades. Additionally. Link participates in Girls on the Run, which uses running as a way for young ladies to build core values.
Student Government Association
The Student Government officers and Community representatives are responsible for helping to plan and implement student activities during the year, including School Spirit Week and community service projects. Students are elected to hold the leadership positions of president, vice president, secretary and treasurer by their peers. Students experience the election process - campaigning, giving speeches and voting. Those elected have the opportunity to exercise their leadership abilities as well as to learn more about leadership and team building.
Ambassadors
A group of ten to twelve 7th grade students are selected each year to serve as student ambassadors. They meet and greet guest at various special programs, including Open Houses. They take guests on tours of the building and speak with them about their experiences at Link. This is a wonderful way for students to develop leadership, self confidence and poise. The Link Ambassador program is led by Mr. Silver, director of admission and high school placement.
