Welcome Back Letter from Mr. Borras

​Dear Community Links Family,
 
            Welcome Back Everyone!!!!! This year we salute the Class of 2018 as they prepare to graduate.  This will be our 13th graduating class.  This is also the 13th graduating class that I have had the honor to work with and be part of, and every year I feel like I have personally graduated from high school all over again. And it feels awesome (And keeps me young!). It is a testament to their hard work and dedication that fifteen years later we continue to graduate close to 90% of our students.  The Class of 2018 will join the many other Community Links graduates that are currently enrolled in colleges and universities.  Remember to support each other, and always know that you can count on us for help throughout your college years. Every year we are invited to college and university graduation ceremonies, and I can’t help but have a big smile on my face, because I know all the steps that were taken to get there.  
            Our mission continues to be to graduate 100% of our students from both high school and college. By continuing with our mission we can guarantee a better life for ourselves and our community.  Many of our graduates stay in touch and tell us about their experience in college.  Many come back and tell us about the invaluable experience in College Links at NLU or English 101, a dual-credit course we now offer, and how it helped them transition to college life and academics. Remember to take advantage of the programs that we offer at Community Links, they are in place to promote your growth and development as life long learners and critical thinkers.  Above all, the many opportunities will empower you to become strong individuals who will be able to bring about positive change in the world.  Always remember the needs of your immediate community. It all starts at home!
            This year we will have our largest cohort of Early College students because of the strong academic preparation by the Class of 2017. Our Early College program, in partnership with Daley College, is one of a kind in CPS, and has students embarking full-time as college students while still enrolled in high school. Students in this program have the potential to graduate from high school with both a high school diploma and an Associate’s degree from the City Colleges of Chicago in four years. Our program is now in its fourth year, and we are proud of the remarkable achievements of our students.
            Again, take advantage of everything that Links has to offer, from Saturday morning graffiti to Boxing to Lego Robotics to Choir, and all the sports programs we offer. And above all, get involved by volunteering in your community.  The work is not done when you leave school every day, or even after you graduate, since the real work of bringing about positive social change, and empowering our community to overcome violence and poverty, is something that we should be doing 24-hours a day. You are part of that work by being part of our school community.  I am proud that you will be life-long ambassadors for our school’s mission.
We continue to grow as a learning community, and are becoming better each and every day. We count on everyone to make sure that Community Links continues to succeed.  We are determined to make a difference for our students and community. Never lose sight of your goals.  Thank you parents, students, teachers, staff, and graduates for all of your dedication.
 
                                                                                    Sincerely,
 
                                                                                    Francisco Borrás,
                                                                                    Principal