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FREE Linden Chamber of Commerce is an affiliate of Gateway Regional Chamber of Commerce. Distributed as a community service by the Linden Chamber of Commerce. Issue 97 • March 2018 PRINCIPAL ATIYA PERKINS HONORED BY HER HOMETOWN Submitted by Gary Miller After a 45-minute ride up from Hamilton, New Jersey, the northbound NJ Transit train pulls into Linden station around 7 a.m. This is where Atiya Perkins begins the final leg of her daily commute, walking the familiar streets of her hometown. She walks down South Wood Avenue for about a mile, through the neighborhood where many of her students live, to begin her day as principal of School No. 2. Linden – the schools, the city, and its streets – are a vital part of what made Perkins who she is today. She attended Schools No. 4, 5, and 9, and McManus Middle School, and graduated Linden High School with the class of 1991. She was raised by her father after her mother died when she was a baby, and things weren’t always easy for the family. But she took inspiration from watching her father attend community college despite struggling with epilepsy. She developed a reverence for education and a drive to build a better life for her and her family. She also found her love for (above) Atiya Perkins walking because her father couldn’t drive. “It’s part of who I am, because of the lack Linden. She was honored at the city’s Black History Celebration on Feb. that we had,” Perkins said. “I tried to help my 15, 6 p.m., at the Linden Multipurpose Center. dad, and I learned that I can’t look back because “She leaves an impression on me and other parents in the district that PAID there was nothing back there. The only thing is she has a sincere love for her job and the families she serves,” said ECRWSS PRSRT STD PRSRT for me is to look forward. And I need to have Councilwoman Rhashonna C. Cosby, founder, and organizer of the PHILA PA 191 PA PHILA U.S. POSTAGE U.S. POSTAGE seventh annual event. “Educators are often not recognized for all that PERMIT PERMIT NO.7575 more, I needed to contribute.” Her father is now gone, too, but she is still they do; however, they are one of the most vital components in the driven to contribute in her calling as an community. As an administrator, Mrs. Perkins has brought positive and educator. Perkins instills in her students the impactful initiatives to the schools.” lesson that education is the key to whatever After graduating from LHS, Perkins earned her bachelor’s degree in they want to be in life, and she is continuing her elementary education and psychology from Seton Hall University, own studies with the goal of attaining her where she also earned her master’s degree in education leadership. doctorate and authoring children’s books. She has worked in Linden Public Schools for 14 years, starting as a “One of my favorite quotes that I use all the substitute teacher, then serving as a fourth-grade teacher, vice principal time is by Nelson Mandela: ‘Education is the at Schools No. 1 and 4 and McManus Middle School, principal at most powerful weapon used to change the School No. 6 – and now in her second school year as principal at School world,’” she said. “I truly live by that, because No. 2. it is so valuable.” Perkins said she is humbled by the Black History Month honor, but Because of her deep roots in Linden and her that it also makes her hopeful because she is being held up for her inspirational work in the Linden Public academic achievements and work as an educator. Schools, Perkins has been chosen as this year’s “In the African-American community, children look at athleticism as Black History Month honoree by the City of (Continued on page 2) Selling Your Home? Looking For Top Dollar? Call Your Linden Specialist All Towne Realty Happy St. Patrick’s Day! *****************ECRWSSEDDM**** PATRON POSTAL LINDEN, NJ 07036 WE GET YOUR HOME SOLD! Call Now For A Free Home Evaluation www.alltownerealty.com 30 Brant Avenue, Clark, NJ 07066 732-381-1190 LIFE in LINDEN • Page 2 • March 2018 ATIYA PERKINS HONORED (CONTINUED) a goal,” she said. “‘When I grow up I want to be that her students can see someone who came Life in Linden is published by Renna Media in a basketball player,’ or ‘I want to be a football from Linden and rose to be such a tremendous cooperation with the Linden Chamber of player.’ And you don’t hear much about the role model for the power of education. The City Commerce, an affiliate of the Gateway Regional academic component. So, I’m grateful to be able of Linden couldn’t have made a better choice in Chamber of Commerce. to see growth in using education as a strength – selecting this year’s Black History Month 12,500 newspapers are printed monthly. using the brain muscle.” honoree.” 11,800 are mailed to homes and businesses and Perkins said it is important for young African- Over her career, Perkins established a the remainder are distributed free at distribution Americans to have role models to look up to multicultural event at School No. 1, helped sites throughout Linden. because race is still at the forefront of many School No. 4 receive a character education Although great care has been taken to ensure conversations. grant, and helped implement the “Leader in Me” the information contained within is accurate, “There are so many different talents and program at School No. 6. Linden Chamber of Commerce assumes no abilities out there and, I’m sorry to say it, but At School No. 2 she has established a public liability for errors or omissions. sometimes race supersedes that,” she said. “So, speaking club for third- through fifth-graders, a to have a young girl say to me, ‘I want to be like book club and blog, and the “Fathers Matter, Tina & Joe Renna, Publishers you when I grow up’ because they are able to Too” initiative. The first session of the latter saw 202 Walnut Ave., Cranford, NJ 07016 identify with me first because of my race, I’m over 300 fathers come to the school for a thankful. Then that gives me the opportunity to morning visit meant to emphasize how (908) 418-5586 go a little bit deeper.I’m thankful to be in an important fathers are to their children’s success Fax: (908) 709-9209 environment where people get to see beyond in school. E-mail: [email protected] race. You get to see a full person. If I can inspire Perkins sits on the board of directors as the anyone, especially within the African-American education specialist for InspiHER, a non-profit SEND US YOUR NEWS community, it’s to definitely understand the with a mission to heal, empower and restore the Did you or someone you know accomplish importance of getting your education. You need image of young girls though self-exploration, something amazing? We are interested in it. This world needs it.” education, and mentorship. hearing about your latest achievement Superintendent Danny A. Robertozzi said “We take this whole month for Black History (accomplishment, honor, award, etc.). Do you Perkins should be proud of all her achievements, Month, and what does that mean? It means that have an event that you need help publicizing? and that she is an inspiration to her students and we’re talking about people who have impacted Then send Life In LInden your news! colleagues. our history,” Perkins said. “Mrs. Perkins has filled so many key roles in “And I’m elated to be a part of making history Call: 908-858-4012 her career in Linden,” he said. “It’s wonderful for someone.” Fax: 908-709-9209 Email: [email protected] SPRINGFEST! SATURDAY, MARCH 24, 2018 Winter is coming to an end and that can mean and Dirndls – all in a Festhalle right in Life In Linden only one thing – it’s time for Bayern Verein Kenilworth, NJ! Newark’s SpringFest! Join us in kicking off the season on Saturday, is online at In Germany, Munich's Fruehlingsfest March 24, 2018 at the Kenilworth Veteran’s (Springfest in English) is the sister event to the Center, 33 South 21st Street, Kenilworth, NJ at 6 city's legendary beer festival held later in the p.m. Admission: $35 per person, $10 Children rennamedia.com year. The festival welcomes thousands of people ages 6-16 years; Under 6 years – Free, and to the Bavarian capital for more than two weeks includes a hot food platter, dessert and tea/coffee like us on of traditional celebration,. as well as imported and domestic beer, wine, soda And just like in Munich, our German festival and water throughout the evening. facebook.com/ will welcome Spring, complete with German For More Information contact Ralph Ehmann cuisine, pretzels, beer, wine, music by Bernie’s at (908) 265-1602 or [email protected] or Life In Linden Orchestra, as well as our own traditional German Betty Bunger at (732) 463-7855 or Schuhplattlers and Folkdancers in Lederhosen [email protected]. Advertise in this newspaper12,500 papers are printed monthly and mailed to homes and businesses in Linden. Reserve space in the next issue. Call Tina today at 908-418-5586 or email [email protected] LIFE in LINDEN • Page 3 • March 2018 MURSELI PRO CONSTRUCTION CHIMNEY & ROOFING SPECIALISTS Family • All Work Guaranteed Owned & Operated For • 24/7 Emergency Service 15 Years • 20% Senior Discount 908-361-6372 • Major Credit Cards 1-800-650-0968 • NJ Lic.