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.
Advisory System
With an 8:1 student-to-faculty advisor ratio and regular opportunities for individual follow-up, the Advisory System provides faculty mentorship for every student. Students meet weekly with advisors individually to discuss personal issues and school work and in small groups to engage in activities that explore values and character development. The advisory system also provides a regular system of communication between parent and advisor.
Electives
Through a comprehensive and varied electives program, Link students are discovering new areas of interest. Elective courses expose students to a variety of activities and interests outside the curriculum, including African Dance, Yearbook, Newspaper, Poetry Slam!, Choir, Film, Student Government, Japanese, Music Ensemble and Karate. These classes are taught by a combination of 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. Each 8th grade community/homeroom designs and participates in a one-time service project. For the past couple of years, 8th graders have worked with the Passaic Valley Sewerage Commission to clean up the banks of the Passaic River in the Ironbound section of Newark. Each 7th grader participates in an 8-week project by reading and sharing stories with 3- and 4-year-olds in NCC’s Community Hills Early Learning Center in Newark. In addition, students and their families participate in student-organized projects such as canned food drives for Thanksgiving and coat/sweater drives during the winter. It is Link’s hope that community service activities, required over the course of two years at Link, engender in our students an enduring propensity to give back to others.
Sports
Link offers opportunities to its scholar-athletes to engage in organized sports, including girls’ and boys’ basketball, girls’ volleyball, flag football, cheerleading, lacrosse and fencing, all designed to build teamwork and develop good sportsmanship.
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, including food drives. 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.
Link Community School Players
Students have the opportunity to exhibit their acting and/singing talents in the annual spring musical. Students audition and work for months learning the script and songs. Other students work on scenery, costumes, lighting/sound and helping the actors learn their parts. This is a wonderful way for students to develop confidence and poise, as well as refine their talents.
