As a result of the addition of the elementary school, specifically K-2 now and 3rd and 4th grades in the future, Link needed more space to accommodate the school’s growth and to ensure an optimal learning environment for our scholars. Link Education Partners, the non-profit public foundation that helps fund Link’s mission, found a temporary solution by renting a school building at 230 Halsey Street in Teacher’s Village, a planned multi-use neighborhood in the heart of Newark for the next two to three years until a permanent solution is found.
The entire team at Link worked together to relocate the two grade levels and outfit the new site for scholars and staff. Classrooms were thoughtfully planned and decorated to welcome scholars on Tuesday, September 5th to an inviting and stimulating instructional space. The building at 230 Halsey Street is a lovely, modern facility with many spacious, well-lit classrooms, numerous offices, built-in lockers, a large gym, a cafeteria, and an elevator. The administration has been planning all summer for the move, including purchasing furniture and equipment and allocating human resources to support the students.
Maria Pilar Paradiso, Link’s head of school, shared her excitement about Link’s continued expansion and the strengthening of the program with this new space. “It has been wonderful to see the enthusiasm on the part of our entire instructional team as they pulled together to prepare and plan for the start of the school year in this great new space. The school is under new leadership with our principal, Hannah Kennedy, who has done a wonderful job this summer to prepare for a strong start to the school year. With a great temporary site, Link Education Partners is now working on a long-term solution–building a second facility to serve as the middle school.”
