ANNUAL REPORT 2009 - 2010 Newark is our home. Education is our work. The World is our future. Newark is our home. Education is our work. The World is our future. AnnuAl REPORT Message from the Board Chair Dear Friends, The spirit and accomplishments of the 2009/2010 school year truly exemplify our constituents' commitment to the Link mission. The pages of this annual report highlight Link's never- ending focus on results and accountability. In between the lines is the story of how hard we have all worked to fulfill Link’s mission with pride.Many thanks and acknowledgements are in order. First, and most importantly, thank you to the students of Link who continue to amaze us with their commitment to a brighter future. The hard work of the 2010 graduating class during their two years at Link resulted in standardized test scores indicating an increase of 3.7 grade levels, versus an expected increase of 1.8 levels. All students in the graduation class received acceptance to at least two quality private or magnet high schools of their choice, and as a group they also earned $2 million in scholarships and financial aid to high quality high schools. We are proud of our alumni, and in particular would like to highlight the class of 2006, who participated in an important survey regarding college attendance. Link was able to reach out to 48 out of 55 alumni from the Class of 2006. Of those students, 100% graduated from high school this year and stated that they will attend college this fall. This statistic proves that the foundation of success instilled in students at Link continues to positively influence their educational track after they leave Thank you to the faculty and staff at Link for their extraordinary focus and hard work around the successful process of Middle States reaccredidation. This is an exhaustive process, but one that allows Link to highlight the strength of its program and its team of educators. It is a credit to their professionalism that they were able to work on this reaccredidation without losing focus on their incredibly important work in the classroom. We are very grateful for the ongoing support of our Trustees, donors and program partners, who continue to contribute time and resources to ensure that mission fulfillment at Link continues its momentum in a difficult economic environment. Your support is instrumental to our work in educating the youth of Newark. Finally, a thank you to Maria Pilar Paradiso for accepting the position as the new Head of School at Link. It has been amazing to see how much Maria has accomplished in the short time she has been the leader of the school. It is clear to us all that she brings special energy and bright new ideas. We look forward to celebrating with Maria and her team a year from now, as we move into our new building! We have the utmost gratitude for all of this support and we look forward to continue to work together for the exciting opportunities in Link's future. Sincerely, Wendy Lacey 1 AnnuAl REPORT Message from the Head of School Dear Link community, As we look back over the 2009-2010 school year, we are delighted to share with you in this annual report a number of stories that affirm our commitment to our mission and demonstrate our continued school success. But more than anything, this annual report captures the many hearts and minds that make up our school community, the many hearts and minds that touch our students, the many hearts and minds that enabled us to change 135 lives this year. In this report, you will explore our strong educational program that both challenges and supports, always positioning students for success in high school and college. Our class of 2006 just graduated high school and began their college journey. We are inspired by their success for it is the future success of our students that we prepare for. While we are indeed proud of present achievement in our students, we really look to a future of many successes, marked by high school and college graduation. You will read about our exemplary partnerships with local not for profits and organizations, as well as businesses, big and small, that deliver powerful extracurricular opportunities for our students. These programs complement our core values and academic offerings and help our students develop into confident, poised, well-rounded individuals who are ready and willing to walk through the many doors that will open for them. Finally, the many pages highlighting giving at Link demonstrate a vibrant Annual Fund which fuels our work. Without the support of so many individuals, organizations, foundations and businesses we could not deliver our mission. The faculty, staff and administrative team join me in thanking you for your strong support. We could not do this important work without you. From our dedicated trustees to our special events to our young afterschool volunteers, the community keeps getting stronger. We are poised to grow far into the future as we set a course for a move to a new home. I look forward to sharing more with you soon. Gratefully, Maria Pilar Paradiso 2 AnnuAl REPORT Our fOundatiOn Our Mission Link Community School seeks to provide an outstanding independent middle school education for Newark adolescents of all academic abilities from economically disadvantaged families. Link endeavors to create a powerful learning community built on a collective commitment to excellence and enduring core values. By building a strong academic foundation and instilling life long values, Link aims to develop students who will be successful in higher education and responsible and resourceful citizens who give back to others. Our Core Values Respect Responsibility Our Vision Honesty Educational Excellence: To provide students of all ability Caring levels an exceptional education on par with the best middle Doing One’s Best school education offered anywhere in the country. A Link Following Directions education will provide students the academic foundation and character development necessary to be successful learners and members of their future communities. High School Placement: To place students in top high schools in the region and country and to insure that they have the skills to succeed in those programs. Inspiring Other Schools: To be recognized as a model urban middle school for our student success and innovative educational practices. Link aims to inspire and support the development of other highly effective schools that provide similar success for thousands of under-served students. Our History Link, a non-denominational middle school, was founded in 1969 by the Sisters of St. Dominic of Caldwell, NJ in response to the 1967 Newark riots that left much of the Central Ward in poverty. The Sisters desired that Link be a force for restoration in the devastated city by providing educational excellence for its youth. Today, the need for high caliber education in Newark is as great as ever. 3 AnnuAl REPORT OUR LEADERSHIP Board of Trustees Chairperson Vice Chairperson Secretary Wendy Lacey David Ferry Alex D. Curtis, Ph.D. Community Volunteer Partner, Empirical Research Partners Headmaster, Morristown Beard School Sister Arlene Antczak, O.P. Devero McDougal, CPA, ‘83 Robert F. Siebold Prioress, Sisters of Saint Dominic Principal, McDougal and Associates Dealer Principal, Town Motors Bob Bertoni Stacy Nitabach Paul W. Stephenson Retired Merrill Lynch/Private Investor Community Volunteer Retired Merrill Lynch/Private Investor Lynn Brownlee-Williams Sister Donna Marie O’Brien, O.P. James P. Tammaro Link Community School Parent ‘09 Principal, St. John the Apostle Elementary Partner and Chief Marketing Officer, School Tandem Global Partners Ellen A. Cohen Sr. VP, Institutional Marketing, Maria Pilar Paradiso Ron Temple Lazard Asset Management Head of School, Managing Director, Link Community School Lazard Asset Management Eugene Crocker VP, Finance Information Manager, Antoinette Petrocelli Margo M. Walter JPMorgan Chase Retired Educator Community Volunteer Joe DiCara Ed Reitz DiCara Rubino Architects Private Investor Trustees Emeritus Sister Ann Dominic, O.P. Carey Hamilton, ‘71 Janice S. Robinson, Esq. Pastoral Associate for Social Concerns, St. A Taste of Soul Catering Vice President for Diversity and Michael’s Parish Community Affairs; Assistant Professor in Andrew D. Lacey Higher Education, Columbia Teachers Robert L. Podvey, Esq. Deputy Chairman, College Partner, Podvey Meanor, et.al. Lazard Asset Management Edward E. Sheridan Retired, Merrill Lynch Advisory Council Joseph Aboyoun, Esq. Adam C. Rohdie Partner, Aboyoun and Heller, LLC Headmaster, Greenwich Country Day School Joanne D. Corzine Arthur R. Stern Joanne D. Corzine Foundation CEO, Cogswell Realty Group, LLC Alan De Rose Gerald J. Vernotica, Ed.D Oppenheimer & Co., Inc. Assistant Commissioner of Education, NJ Department of Education Chris Garavente President, Special Friends Foundation Michael Virzi Director of Facilities, The Pingry School Lynne Pagano Community Volunteer 4 AnnuAl REPORT OUR SCHOOL - THE BASIC FACTS Grades—7 and 8 Enrollment—130 Gender—Female 64%, Male 36% Ethnic representation—Black 95%, Hispanic 5% Geographic representation—Newark and the surrounding urban areas, including East Orange, Irvington, Orange, Union 68% of Link families were classified as low income according to Essex County, NJ State guidelines 100% of students receive tuition assistance Student/faculty ratio - 10:1 Average class size - 16/17 Core courses: English, history, mathematics, science Co-curricular courses: Fine art, computers, theater