Principal's Page
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Link Mission Statement: Link IB World School, in a mutually respectful partnership with our community, strives to develop the whole child: their heart as well as their mind. Our vision is to create inquisitive, self-motivated, ethical, lifelong learners who value knowledge, creativity, diversity and international mindedness. Through our inquiry based, transdisciplinary program, our students are empowered to become responsible learners, collaborative thinkers, risk takers, and creative problem solvers, possessing the desire to positively impact our ever-changing world.
Welcome to our Link School and Family! In December of 2009, Link Elementary became the first IB World School in Rockland County, and one of only nine IB World Schools in New York State, to be authorized by the International Baccalaureate Organization to teach the Primary Years Program (PYP). During the 2017-2018 school year, we engaged in our third Self-Study Review followed by an intense IB evaluation visit for reauthorization. I am honored to report that our School and School Community received many commendations along with reauthorization! Please visit our Link Parent Page to learn more about the IB Culture of your school.
The IB/PYP philosophy provides a framework for meeting the demands of educating our students for the challenges of the 21st century by supporting their growth as productive, insightful, responsible and compassionate citizens. It focuses on developing independent, knowledgeable, skilled learners through inquiry based instruction that reflects a unique global perspective. The framework does not replace the New York State Standards nor the Clarkstown District expectations. Instead, the PYP extends and enriches the curriculum through a transdisciplinary model, World Language acquisition and the Learner Profile traits. The IB philosophy embodies our District’s Vision and Goals for all students.
As a staff, we recognize that “authorization” as a World School, while an honor and achievement, is not an end, but the “beginning” of our ongoing commitment and responsibility to educate and nurture the development of the “whole child.” Our mission is “to meet the unique needs of our students and motivate and enable them to be life-long learners and productive, ethical contributors to an ever-changing society.” In collaboration with our parents and community, we believe the IB philosophy, research based practices, emphasis on structured inquiry, World Language acquisition and Learner Profile traits which represents the qualities of internationalism, will successfully prepare all our students to meet the challenges of the 21st century.
Our community expects us to provide our students with the enriching educational experiences they so truly deserve! Toward that goal, it is important that we work together. We will need to guide, encourage, and expect our children to develop responsible and respectful work habits. It is equally important to celebrate their efforts and achievements. I am confident that as a school community we will meet the responsibility and challenge of educating our children and keeping the joy of learning alive!
If you have not already done so, I encourage you to become a member of our P.T.A. Our P.T.A. Co-Presidents, Mrs. Tiffany Perciballi and Mrs. Joy Paez-Estrada, along with the P.T.A. Board and many dedicated volunteers support our children and our school through sharing of ideas, as well as, providing many enriching and informative school events and family-oriented functions.
I look forward to working collaboratively with you, the staff and the Link community to ensure that the 2019-2020 school year provides all of our children with an exciting, enriching and successful learning experience!
Mary Bish, Principal
MBish@ccsd.edu