Features

Hallway Fashion: Nashay Day

October 31, 2013 by lpahomov Leave a Comment

Exactly what are you wearing today, and do you know where each item is from?
A button down stripes shirt from J. Crew, green jeans from H&M, a Michael Kors watch, and Steve Madden shoes.

What exactly does fashion mean to you?
Fashion means everything to me. I live for fashion.
Do you consider yourself fashionable?
I guess.

How long does it usually take for you to pick out the outfit that you’re going to wear for the day and what is your thought process as you pick out these clothes?
It usually takes about 2 hours, it depends on how I feel. If I’m mad I’m wearing a dark color, and if I’m happy I’m going to wear a bright color.
Who/What do you get your fashion inspiration from?
I get my fashion inspiration from the seasons, and the upcoming trends and I always dress a season ahead, I also get inspiration from anyone I see.
What are some of your favorite places to, or what are your favorite brands? And Why?
I love Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Urban Outfitters, and Zara. I like T by Alexander Wang. I like Calvin Klein, because it’s really simple and I feel like those are key pieces that anyone should have in their wardrobe, and you can dress it up or down.

Interview By: Kenyatta Bundy Jr

Hallway Fashion: Liza Cohen

October 28, 2013 by lpahomov Leave a Comment

Exactly what are you wearing today, and do you know where each item is from?

I am wearing a shirt from Philly Aids Thrift, which is a thrift store. My jeans are from Garage. My cardigan is from Forever 21, and my sneakers are from Ubiq.

What exactly does fashion mean to you?
Fashion is, I guess… Being comfortable with how you present yourself, also like attempting to set your own trends.
Do you consider yourself fashionable?
Yes, because I can piece clothes together and present them well.

How long does it usually take for you to pick out the outfit that you’re going to wear for the day? What’s your thought process as you pick out these clothes?
It usually takes me about 10 minutes to pick out my outfit, I usually think about the weather, my mood, and if I have anything to do that day.
Who/What do you get your fashion inspiration from?
Um, I get inspired by Teen Vogue, as well as celebrities around my age.
What are some of your favorite places to, or what are your favorite brands? And Why?
I like to shop at forever 21 and thrift stores, because you don’t have to spend a lot to be fashionable, or travel far.
Interview By Kenyatta Bundy Jr

Goodbye Moodle. Hello Canvas.

October 9, 2013 by lpahomov Leave a Comment

By Will Amari and Desmond O’Donovan

Staff Writers canvas

For seven years and through two versions, Moodle has been the online home of SLA. However, the new year is here and SLA has upgraded to a system called Canvas.

For those who are unfamiliar with the program, Canvas is a Learning Management System (LMS), an open source software designed to help students and teachers transfer and transmit information to each other everyday.

According to Tech Coordinator and Art Teacher Marcie Hall, “Canvas was originally brought to our attention earlier this summer by some online research that we were doing and also by Diana Laufenberg and Mr. Lehman.”

The school was already looking to move away from Moodle because it was clunky and old-fashioned in its design.

Before the school year began, Canvas instructors came to SLA to customize a version of Canvas specifically for the school and even taught teachers to how to use it.

“(Canvas) is a little more updated than the other and makes it easier for kids to get their resources,” Ms. Hull said. “It also makes it easier for teachers to create those resources and get all the data for the kids that they need.”

Junior Melanie Harrington prefers using Canvas even after using Moodle for two years. “The calendar is a lot bigger and it’s color coded.” She explained. “Teachers can message you and comment on one of your assignments. Its a lot easier to navigate.”

At SLA, Canvas is found in use everywhere and at every time of the day. Using the Canvas app, teachers and students can log onto Canvas even without the use of their laptops. History teacher Ms. Pearl Jonas however, noted an inconvenience when using the app on a phone.“I would like it more if I was able to grade on it.” She said. “but you can only do that on iPads.”

Ms. Jonas also noted, “I’m still discovering what it can do. What’s the best way to use it. I think it is a pretty nice transition because it does a lot of things Moodle used to do.”

Although switching from Moodle to Canvas is an adjustment, many students and teachers at SLA find it to be an efficient course management system. Many even prefer it over Moodle. “It looks better.” Ms. Jonas says. Those who think Canvas isn’t a better working system might be consoled by it’s handsome appearance.

Watching from the Sidelines

October 7, 2013 by lpahomov Leave a Comment

The jokes were pessimistic this summer at Science Leadership Academy’s boy’s soccer training. All this work at the top of hot days in August would be meaningless if we were to lose our team this coming fall. We pieced together fuzzy local news stories about dates and deadlines–ultimatums by both sides of the table, the district and education advocates, about 2013-2014 sports funding.

Junior Captain Jeffery Schwartz tackling opponent for possession over the ball. — Senior Captain Jeffery Schwartz tackling opponent for possession over the ball.

Talking to English teacher and Athletics Director and Mr. Kay, I was expecting to hear about how the fall season almost didn’t happen, and the only way it was able to be a reality was through crippling cuts to the budget.

We’re pretty bare bones right now, like the budget is referees, coaches, transportation–we need all of those things. I don’t think they could cut any more… The danger is much larger than what schools have teams, it’s weather or not entire seasons exist. – Athletics Director Mr. Kay

This athletics budget has remained the same since a few years ago when the district asked every team to cut one program. SLA cut track–the Home and School Association pays the track coach every year. Since that time, the budget has remained mostly the same. If the district cut any more than what they have now, school athletics programs wouldn’t be able to reasonably exist.

The real story lies if there will be winter and spring sports. These two seasons are not yet confirmed. “Everyone is just assuming that they will be brought back just like the fall sports were” said Kay. The possible sports that still might not happen this year are as follows.

Winter

Boys	Girls
Basketball	Basketball
Bowling (intramural)	Bowling (intramural)
Indoor Track	Cheerleading
Swimming (intramural)	Indoor Track
Wrestling	Swimming (intramural)

Spring

Boys	Girls
Baseball	Badminton
Lacrosse	Lacrosse
Tennis	Softball
Track and Field	Track and Field
Volleyball

That being said, most people are under the assumption that the district is going to bring back winter and spring sports just like they did for the fall sports.

Q&A With Chris Johnson, Beeber Site Adminstrator

June 11, 2013 by lpahomov Leave a Comment

By Dalena Bui

Staff Writer

Starting in April, SLA has had a new adult in the office part-time. Many students found his presence intimidating at first — but as they got to know him, they found out that he was, as he described himself, “a teddy bear.” That person, Chris Johnson, is now going to be the Site Administrator of SLA’s new campus at Beeber Middle School.Chris Johnson has been touring SLA for 2 months. SLAMedia sat down with Johnson to learn more about him.

How did you become the Site Administrator of Beeber?

It was, I guess, the perfect storm. I was the principal of Ben Franklin high school for 9 years. Then this past year, I took a position at [the] Central Office, where I was responsible for the climate culture and safety of the schools in our district. Because of budget cuts… my position would probably have been eliminated, so we decided that it was best if I started to look for opportunities around Philadelphia. Chris and I — who I knew ever since he came to Philadelphia — became close, because I guess we had the same idea on teaching and learning and how schools are run. And then we hooked up with this guy who was the principal of Central High School and learned a lot from it. It was a natural flow. he taught me inquiry, collaboration, the whole nine pretty much.

What are some of the expectations you have for the students?

Same expectation [Lehmann] has. To grow daily, for us to learn from our mistakes, and to make those mistakes and turn them into positives so we can be better people. I think at the end of the day, more than anything, Mr. Lehmann wants his students to be good people. So that’s why the advisory [program] is so important to him, and the relationship building that the staff has is so important to him. But at the end of the day, he really wants you to be good people. and I guys think you guys do a really good job at that.

What is the biggest challenge you think you face in opening a new school?

Time! We need more time, lady. If there was 36 hours in everyday, that would be help. We have to get a lot of things done. The other hard part is that since we are closing 27 schools and those children have to go off to other schools, the facilities department has to get the other schools ready to receive the children from the closing schools. They’re going to be swamped.

What have you learned from Mr. Lehmann?

Persistence, dedication, and the ability to go around barriers, there is always going to be barriers. but you have to find a way to go around them if you want to do what’s right for your kids. The other things i learned about him that he is a smart dude. I always called him a geek but if you sit down and listen, I’m like, dang dude, you’re actually smart.

What have you learned from SLA school culture that you want to bring with you?

I learned, I’m learning because it’s not all there yet… I’m learning that you can learn so much from anyone, and that you don’t always have to be the bearer of knowledge, because you don’t know everything. Its okay to sit down and listen. It’s okay to learn stuff. I learned so much from kids, just from kids from the first two days I’ve been here. I also learned that I have to learn. I also learned you need to be transparent.